About the Military Aviation Authority – the Netherlands
The Military Aviation Authority (MAA-NLD) promotes military aviation safety within the specific military context. The MAA-NLD issues military aviation regulations on behalf of the Minister of Defence – the Netherlands. The MAA-NLD certifies persons, equipment and organisations and monitors compliance with the requirements.
With the military context considered, the aim of the authority is to guarantee a minimum level of aviation safety for air crews, passengers and the environment.
Differences compared to civil aviation
Military aviation distinguishes itself from civil aviation in several aspects. It concerns, for example, the simultaneous transport of personnel and ammunition, dropping personnel and equipment from aircraft and conducting combat missions using armed helicopters and fighter aircraft. This implies that the tasks of the Ministry of Defence may be of high-risk. But within this context, these tasks must be conducted as safe as possible, with risks being as low as reasonably practicable.
That is why the MAA-NLD's motto is ‘Mission First, Safety Always'.