One question that regularly arises when airlines evaluate onboard wheelchairs is whether they require an EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) or UK CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) Form 1 approval. The simple answer is: Airchair does not require Form 1 approval because it is not classified as an aircraft component. Instead, it is supplied with a Certificate of Conformity (CofC), reflecting its status as carry-on equipment or a loose item. Understanding why can help avoid unnecessary complexity when selecting an onboard wheelchair writes Sarah McOnie of Airchair.
What is Form 1?
An EASA Form 1 is an Authorised Release Certificate used throughout the aviation industry to demonstrate that an aircraft part or component has been manufactured or maintained in accordance with approved aviation requirements. It forms part of the airworthiness documentation required for products that become part of an aircraft’s certified configuration. Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the UK Civil Aviation Authority introduced the CAA Form 1, which performs the same function for UK-regulated aircraft. Both documents provide traceability for aircraft parts and help confirm that components are suitable for installation.
What are the equivalents outside Europe?
Although the terminology varies around the world, the principle remains the same. In the United States, the equivalent release documentation is the FAA Form 8130-3, while Canada uses TCCA Form ONE. Other aviation authorities operate similar authorised release certificates under bilateral aviation safety agreements. These documents allow approved aircraft components to move through the global aerospace supply chain while maintaining regulatory oversight and traceability. Importantly, these forms apply to aircraft parts and components rather than every item carried onboard an aircraft.
Why Airchair is different
Airchair has been designed from the outset as a portable onboard wheelchair rather than a permanently installed aircraft component. Like other portable cabin equipment, it is deployed by the cabin crew when required, then folded and stowed in an overhead locker or dedicated stowage area once the passenger transfer has been completed. It does not become part of the aircraft’s certified structure, electrical or mechanical systems. Because of this, Airchair does not require an EASA Form 1 or UK CAA Form 1, FAA Form 8130-3 or TCCA Form ONE. Instead, every Airchair is supplied with a Certificate of Conformity (CofC) confirming that the product has been manufactured in accordance with its specified design and quality standards. This distinction removes an unnecessary layer of regulatory administration while still giving airlines confidence that they are receiving a consistently manufactured, high-quality product.
Why this matters for procurement teams
For those working in airline procurement, documentation requirements can influence both programme timelines and decisions. Products requiring Form 1 documentation often need to pass through engineering approval processes associated with certified aircraft components. By contrast, Airchair‘s classification as portable equipment simplifies acquisition and deployment because it is not subject to those component release requirements. That means fewer administrative hurdles, reduced complexity and an easier procurement process, particularly for airlines operating large fleets or introducing onboard accessibility improvements across multiple aircraft types.
Equally important for cabin managers
Cabin managers are concerned with providing safe, practical equipment that enables crew to assist passengers efficiently. Airchair was engineered specifically for this operational role. Weighing less than 7 kg while supporting passengers SAP (Suddenly Applied Load) up to 250 kg, it folds quickly for storage in overhead lockers or dog boxes and can be deployed within seconds by cabin crew. Rather than focusing on certification associated with permanently installed aircraft parts, cabin teams can concentrate on what matters most: having reliable equipment available whenever a passenger with reduced mobility requires assistance.
A simpler route to accessible travel
Accessibility should never be made more complicated than necessary. Understanding the distinction between certified aircraft components and portable cabin equipment helps airlines make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary approval processes. For airlines looking to improve accessibility while keeping procurement straightforward, that’s one less regulatory hurdle and one more reason why more than 100 airlines worldwide have chosen Airchair as their onboard wheelchair solution.