The old Defence Aviation and Safety Centre (DASC) has now become the Directorate of Aviation Regulation and Safety (DARS) with a web site at
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/Ab...Aviation/DARS/
Its “mission statement” says:
“The DARS is the pan-Defence policy, regulatory and auditing body within the MoD Central Staffs and is the MoD focus for Aviation Regulation & Safety issues.
The mission of the DARS is to enhance operational capability by improving Defence Aviation Regulation & Safety
Key Roles:
• To formulate, regulate and validate Defence Aviation Regulation and Safety policy as directed by the MOD Aviation Regulatory and Safety Board (MARSB).
• To provide Aviation Regulation and Safety advice to the Service Chiefs of Staff, Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), and also to the MARSB.
• To provide Aviation Regulation and Safety advice to Commands, Aircraft Operating Authorities, Release to Service Authorities.
• To provide Aviation Regulation and Safety advice to other Government Departments, civilian and military agencies, NATO, Foreign & Commonwealth and Partnership for Peace countries as well as to industry.
• To act as the focus for Aviation Regulation and Safety matters in the MoD.
• To provide common, high-level Aviation Safety education and publicity.”
The key word here seems to be “regulate” – but will it have the resources and authority (it is led by a "purple" 1*) to do this. Perhaps another PPRuNe contributor knows and can comment.
However it is interesting that the word airworthiness does not figure in its mission statement and I have not yet found it in the (limited) selection of their linked documents that I have looked at.
JB