ASTM F3198-18

Standard Specification for Light Sport Aircraft Manufacturer’s Continued Operational Safety (COS) Program

ABSTRACT
This specification establishes the minimum requirements for a Continued Operational Safety (COS) program for manufacturers of light sport aircraft (LSA) and LSA kits. It establishes a method for reporting, evaluating, and correcting unsafe conditions and service difficulty issues for the purpose of COS of a LSA. The elements of the COS program described in this specification include the following: Communication and Owner Information, Determination of Corrective Action, Notice of Corrective Action, and Continuation of Airworthiness.
This specification applies to aircraft seeking civil aviation authority approval, in the form of flight certificates, flight permits, or other like documentation.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification establishes the minimum requirements for a Continued Operational Safety (COS) program for manufacturer’s of light sport aircraft and light sport aircraft kits.  
1.2 This specification applies to aircraft seeking civil aviation authority approval, in the form of flight certificates, flight permits, or other like documentation.  
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 28-Feb-2018
• ICS: 49.020 - Aircraft and space vehicles in general
• Technical Committee: F37 - Light Sport Aircraft
• Drafting Committee: F37.70 - Cross Cutting

Relations

• Refers: ASTM F2483-18 - Standard Practice for Maintenance and the Development of Maintenance Manuals for Light Sport Aircraft
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Refers: ASTM F2483-18e1 - Standard Practice for Maintenance and the Development of Maintenance Manuals for Light Sport Aircraft
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2018
• Refers: ASTM F2483-12 - Standard Practice for Maintenance and the Development of Maintenance Manuals for Light Sport Aircraft
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Refers: ASTM F2483-05 - Standard Practice for Maintenance and the Development of Maintenance Manuals for Light Sport Aircraft
• Effective Date: 06-Apr-2005

Overview

ASTM F3198-18 is the Standard Specification for Light Sport Aircraft Manufacturer’s Continued Operational Safety (COS) Program, developed by ASTM International. This standard outlines the minimum requirements for COS programs that manufacturers of light sport aircraft (LSA) and LSA kits must implement. The aim is to ensure a structured approach to identifying, reporting, evaluating, and addressing unsafe conditions and service difficulties, thereby supporting the safety and continued airworthiness of LSAs in the field. This ASTM standard is especially relevant for aircraft seeking approval from civil aviation authorities (CAA) through flight certificates, permits, or equivalent documentation.

Key Topics

The standard establishes several core elements for an effective Continued Operational Safety Program:

• Communication and Owner Information: Manufacturers must provide LSA owners with clear instructions covering their COS responsibilities, including how to update contact details and report unsafe conditions.
• Determination of Corrective Action: All reports of potential unsafe conditions or service difficulties must be promptly and thoroughly investigated by the manufacturer, with permanent records retained for accountability.
• Notice of Corrective Action: When corrective actions are required, formal notices-such as Safety Directives, Service Bulletins, or Service Letters-are issued to owners with detailed instructions and mandatory compliance deadlines.
• Continuation of Airworthiness: Manufacturers are required to maintain comprehensive documentation related to safety measures and corrective actions, ensuring records are securely stored and accessible for ongoing airworthiness support.
• Owner Engagement: The standard encourages owners to communicate directly with manufacturers regarding mandatory notices and allows proposals for alternative compliance methods.
• Evaluation of External Directives: Manufacturers must evaluate relevant directives, such as airworthiness directives (ADs) from component suppliers or regulatory bodies, to determine impact and appropriate responses for their LSA fleet.

Applications

ASTM F3198-18 provides practical value for manufacturers, operators, and regulators of light sport aircraft:

• Manufacturers: The specification guides the development and implementation of comprehensive COS programs, ensuring regulatory readiness and promoting aviation safety best practices.
• Aircraft Owners and Operators: Clear processes for reporting service difficulties and receiving safety communications support proactive maintenance and compliance with CAA requirements.
• Civil Aviation Authorities: Regulatory bodies rely on the COS structure for evaluating an LSA manufacturer’s airworthiness processes when granting operational approvals.
• Industry Quality Assurance: By standardizing risk assessment and corrective action protocols, the document helps to foster industry-wide safety culture and accountability.
• Documentation and Records Management: Secure, accessible records ensure continued availability of crucial safety information throughout the aircraft’s service life.

Related Standards

Several related ASTM standards and international guidelines complement ASTM F3198-18:

• ASTM F2483: Practice for Maintenance and the Development of Maintenance Manuals for Light Sport Aircraft, providing detailed requirements for documentation supporting airworthiness.
• Civil Aviation Authority Regulations: National and international regulations that define airworthiness, maintenance, and safety directives for LSAs.
• World Trade Organization TBT Principles: This standard aligns with internationally recognized principles for standards development, facilitating global acceptance and harmonization.

For manufacturers, operators, and authorities, adopting ASTM F3198-18 ensures a systematic and effective approach to the continued operational safety of light sport aircraft, building stakeholder confidence in safety management throughout the aircraft life cycle.

Keywords: continued operational safety, COS program, ASTM F3198-18, light sport aircraft, LSA, manufacturer safety program, airworthiness, safety directive, service bulletin, compliance, aviation safety standards.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F3198 −18
Standard Specification for
Light Sport Aircraft Manufacturer’s Continued Operational
Safety (COS) Program
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3198; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.2 Acronyms:
3.2.1 CAA—Civil Aviation Authority
1.1 This specification establishes the minimum require-
ments for a Continued Operational Safety (COS) program for
3.2.2 COS—continued operational safety
manufacturer’s of light sport aircraft and light sport aircraft
3.2.3 LSA—light-sport aircraft
kits.
1.2 This specification applies to aircraft seeking civil avia-
4. Significance and Use
tion authority approval, in the form of flight certificates, flight
permits, or other like documentation. 4.1 Thepurposeofthisspecificationistoestablishamethod
by which unsafe conditions and service difficulty issues are
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
reported, evaluated, and corrected for the purpose of COS of a
as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
light-sport aircraft (LSA).
standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5. Continued Operational Safety Program
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 5.1 Manufacturers must develop and implement a COS
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- program in accordance with the requirements established
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. within this specification. The elements of the COS program
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor- established herein include the following:
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
5.1.1 Communication and Owner Information
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5.1.2 Determination of Corrective Action
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
5.1.3 Notice of Corrective Action
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
5.1.4 Continuation of Airworthiness
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5.2 Assignment of Duties—Manufacturers may assign COS
2. Referenced Documents
support duties to other entities.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.2.1 In the case of assignment, the manufacturer retains
F2483 Practice for Maintenance and the Development of
COS responsibility for the accomplishment of these activities.
Maintenance Manuals for Light Sport Aircraft
5.2.2 All assignment authorizations must be documented
within the manufacturer’s COS program.
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
5.3 Owner Requests:
3.1.1 Notice of Correction Action (Notice)—a formal com-
5.3.1 If an owner submits written comments and questions
munication of mandatory, non-mandatory, or helpful COS
regarding any mandatory Notice, the issuing organization must
information to relevant LSA owners/operators.
respond in writing and in a timely manner to any such request.
Arecord of the request and response must be retained with the
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F37 on Light
records of the Notice.
Sport Aircraft and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F37.70 on Cross
5.3.2 Manufacturers must consider proposals from owners
Cutting.
for alternate means of compliance to a mandatory Notice(s)
Current edition approved March 1, 2018. Published May 2018. DOI: 10.1520/
F3198-18.
and must, in a timely manner, issue an acceptance or denial in
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
writing to the owner requesting the alternative. If an alternative
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
means of compliance is made available, then this alternative
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. must be communicated to other owners affected by the notice.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F3198 − 18
6. Communication and Owner Information 7.5 A CAA may issue Airworthiness Directives (ADs)
against items utilized in an LSA. Manufacturers must evaluate
6.1 The manufacturer must provide, with the delivery of
anysuchdirectivestodeterminethesafetyeffectandcorrective
each LSA, COS instructions that include, at a minimum, the
action on the manufacturer’s fleet.
following items:
6.1.1 Alisting of owner responsibilities for COS, including: 7.6 The procedures in Appendix X1 to determine the
“Safety Risk” and associated actions related to the reported
6.1.1.1 The responsibility of the owner to provide current
problem provide an acceptable method to show compliance
contact information to the manufacturer that is suitable for
with the requirements of this section.
delivery of COS Notices.
6.1.1.2 The responsibility of the owner to notify the manu-
7.7 Manufacturers must not use Safety Directives or other
facturer of any unsafe condition or service difficulty (faults,
mandatory notices to promote or make upgrades or equipment
malfunctions, defects, and other occurrences) immediately
changes to the aircraft that are not related to the resolution of
upon discovery. This notification must be made in a manner
unsafe conditions. These situations include, but are not limited
acceptable to the manufacturer.
to, circumstances in which service publications are issued to
6.1.1.3 The responsibility of the owner to read and comply,
improve or enhance the following:
as specified within the Notice, with any Notices of Corrective
7.7.1 Spare part sales;
Action provided by the manufacturer as well as all applicable
7.7.2 Aircraft performance, capability, or efficiency, unless
consensus standards and CAA regulations in regard to main-
the change is needed for the aircraft to meet the minimum
taining the airworthiness of the LSA.
design and performance standards identified in the consensus
6.1.1.4 The responsibility to understand that the owner may
standard and the manufacturer’s statement of compliance;
submit written comments and questions regarding any manda-
7.7.3 Aircraft appearance;
tory Notice to the organization who issued the Notice.
7.7.4 Aircraft maintainability not shown to have signifi-
6.1.2 A method for the owner to report unsafe conditions
cance in the prevention of unsafe conditions.
and service difficulty issues to the manufacturer.
7.7.5 Anyotheraircraftcharacteristicwhentheactioncalled
6.1.3 Amethod for the owner to obtain and verify that they
for does not remedy an unsafe condition, including any
have the latest COS information developed by the manufac-
condition related to reliability which does not have an impact
turer.
on unsafe conditions.
6.1.4 A method for the owner to update their contact
information with the manufacturer.
8. Notice of Corrective Action
6.2 The manufacturer must maintain a current owner list
8.1 Upon determination that corrective action is warranted
that includes all aircraft in service by serial number with
(based upon the manufacturer’s Determination of Corrective
contactinformationfortheowner(s)asprovidedbythemethod
Action as described in Section 7), the manufacturer must issue
in 6.1.4 or as specified below.
a Notice to all known owners of affected LSA’s.
6.2.1 In cases where the presiding CAA records of regis-
8.1.1 Notices must contain the following information, when
tered owners is sufficient for tracking aircraft and the manu-
available:
facturer has access to such records, the manufacturer may elect
8.1.1.1 The name, postal address, web address, and tele-
to utilize such records for complying with this section.
phone number of the issuing entity,
6.2.2 The annual condition inspection checklist for the
8.1.1.2 The date the Notice is released,
aircraft must include a check for the accuracy of aircraft
8.1.1.3 The date the Notice takes effect,
identification and registration information (as applicable).
8.1.1.4 Deadlines(bycalendarorflighttime)forcompletion
of any required corrective action. If no deadline is required the
7. Determination of Corrective Action
word “Unspecified” can be used.
8.1.1.5 The make and model of the affected LSA(s),
7.1 Manufacturer must promptly and fully investigate all
8.1.1.6 The serial number of the affected LSA(s),
reported potential unsafe conditions or service difficulties.
8.1.1.7 A unique identifier for the Notice,
7.2 Manufacturers must evaluate all unsafe condition or
8.1.1.8 The unique identifier of a superseded Notice(s), if
service difficulty reports as well as any resulting action taken.
applicable,
Permanent records of the reports as well as the evaluation,
8.1.1.9 The page number and total number of pages.
decisions, and any actions must be retained.
8.1.1.10 Instructions for documentation of successful
7.3 Manufacturers who utilize components from outside
completion of the corrective action in the aircraft records.
sources must evaluate any formal safety directive, service
8.1.2 The first page must contain, in large bold uppercase
bulletin, notification, or other product notice from the outside
letters, one of the following titles:
sources to determine the safety effect on the manufacturer’s
8.1.2.1 “SAFETY DIRECTIVE” or “SAFETYALERT” for
fleet.
Notices that require action to correct an unsafe condition that
is likely to occur in other aircraft of the same model.
7.4 If a manufacturer determines that an unsafe condition
exists or could develop that stems from a component supplied
NOTE 1—The terms Safety Directive or Safety Alert have the same
by an outside source, then the manufacturer must communicate
meaning.The governing CAArules may define which term is appropriate.
this concern to the outside source for further investigation. The use of “SAFETY DIRECTIVE/ALERT” for the title is acceptable.
F3198 − 18
8.1.2.2 “SERVICE BULLETIN” for Notices of actions 8.3.3 Manufacturer must include in the Service Bulletin
considered necessary by the manufacturer to prevent an unsafe instructions for documentation of compliance to the Service
condition from developing in the fleet. Bulletin in the aircraft records.
8.1.2.3 “SERVICE LETTER” for Notices that do not nec-
8.4 Service Letter:
essarily recommend future action but are primarily for prom-
8.4.1 Manufacturer may issue a Service Letter to all known
ulgation of COS information.
owners on any subject considered by the manufacturer to be
helpful to the owners but not mandatory or necessary.
8.2 Safety Directive:
8.2.1 Manufacturer must issue a Safety Directive when a 9. Continuation of Airworthiness
condition is found to exist or could exist in the manufacturer’s
9.1 Copies Maintained—To help ensure COS support of
fleet that may cause an unsafe condition for flight.
aircraft in service, the manufacturer must maintain documen-
8.2.2 The original
...