Continuous Airworthiness - The Role of Part 145

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the fundamental role of an EASA Part 145 Organisation

 EASA Part 145 concerns the approval issued to aircraft maintenance organizations.

The Part 145 organization is responsible to perform and certify maintenance in accordance with its regulatory approval to an approved standard using approved data. 

The Key Aspects of a Part 145 Approval Consider the following -

 » Facilities - appropriate to meet the environmental requirements sufficient for the work being carried out
 » Manpower - Sufficient - Competent to perform the required activities
 » Documentation - Current - Approved Data
 » Process and Procedures - Fully Documented & Controlled - Including the Maintenance Organisation Exposition (MOE)
 » Tooling & Equipment to support the Maintenance Activities
 » Quality Assurance Process to ensure continued compliance with the regulatory and organizational Requirements
 » The ability to Plan & Co-ordinate the required Maintenance

Complex Motor Powered Aircraft Must Have Part 145 Maintenance

For maintenance of aircraft which are classified as “Complex Motor Powered Aircraft” (CMPA) - Part 145, Maintenance Approval is Mandatory. For Licenced Air Carriers (regardless of aircraft designation) Part 145 Approval is mandatory.

For other aircraft (Private & Commercial) It is possible to choose between Part 145 approval or Combined Airworthiness Organisation (CAO) approval (Maintenance)

Concerning Continuing Airworthiness Technical Records & Part 145 Requirements

The operator or the owner is required through the management of technical records to demonstrate that the aircraft meets all requirements to be able to fly,

Whereas the 145 organization must only demonstrate

 » That all requested and performed maintenance has been performed in accordance with all requirements and
 » Correctly released by an appropriately approved certifying engineer.

Maintenance organizations are required to retain all details for a period of 3 years to demonstrate that they worked in compliance with their respective requirements.

What are Detailed Continuing Airworthiness Records?

‘Detailed continuing Airworthiness maintenance records’ are those records required to be kept by the owner/operator to be able to demonstrate the continuing airworthiness and configuration of the aircraft in accordance with Part-M requirements and is particularly relevant for future maintenance determination

Aircraft owners/operators need to retain those records required for assessing the aircraft configuration and the airworthiness of the aircraft and all components installed. (In some cases the records are for the life of the aircraft & beyond)

The following information should as a minimum be provided by the Part 145 Organisation to the Part M Organisation

 » Task cards to show compliance with

o   The maintenance Program requirements

o   modifications, airworthiness directives,

o   Repaired and non-repaired damage, and  

o   Measurements relating to defects.

Next Steps

Sofema Online (www.sofemaonline.com) offers a range of foundation courses to introduce students to the fundamentals of the EASA regulatory environment.

Please see the website or email team@sassofia.com