Department of Defense
DIRECTIVE
NUMBER 5030.61
May 24, 2013
Incorporating Change 3, August 31, 2018
USD(A&S)
SUBJECT: DoD Airworthiness Policy
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE. This directive establishes policy and assigns responsibilities for DoD
airworthiness in accordance with the authority vested in the Secretary of Defense by section 113
of Title 10, United States Code (Reference (a)).
2. APPLICABILITY. This directive:
a. Applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the
Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other
organizational entities within DoD (referred to collectively in this directive as the “DoD
Components”).
b. Does not restrict the authority or responsibilities of the Military Departments with respect
to airworthiness in accordance with sections 3013, 5013, and 8013 of Reference (a).
3. POLICY. It is DoD policy that:
a. All aircraft and air systems owned, leased, operated, used, designed, or modified by DoD
must have completed an airworthiness assessment in accordance with Military Department
policy. The airworthiness assessment provides DoD personnel (to include Service members and
DoD civilians) and DoD contractors the appropriate level of safety of flight and risk management
adapted to DoD-unique mission requirements.
b. Military Department airworthiness authorities, within their respective airworthiness
guidance, will provide commanders the ability to conduct missions while employing prudent risk
mitigation measures in cases where a timely airworthiness assessment is not feasible.
