Production Planning and the EASA Part 145 Organisation

Considering the primary “Role” delivered by the Production Planning within the 145 Organisation.

Production Planning typically reports through the Base, Line or Workshop Managers to the Maintenance Director or Post Holder. The Production Planning Control process plays a pivotal role as a service provider to the various front line and support functions within the organisation, the essential goal for Production Planning is to ensure an on-time re-delivery of aircraft, job profitability and the accurate completion and compliance of required documentation.

Typical duties include developing production schedules and work programs to include oversight of the facility requirements, manpower requirements, parts and material lists, tooling lists, third party services and specialized resources to ensure all organisational objectives are met in a timely manner.

Detailed preparation of the work scope including analysis of special jobs (AD’s, SB’s) and management of the check time line to remain on schedule. The preparation of tooling equipment and the required material, managing man hours allocation, in support of the works program.

Communicating with various internal and external stake holders and other support organizations to manage the plan in the most efficient and effective manner. Provide oversight and directly interface with all stakeholders.

To act as a support department to ensure the on time availability of job cards, drawings, manuals, standards. Ensuring that all the required elements are supplied with the task cards in order to maximize efficiency in job accomplishment.

During the actual performance of the maintenance activity Production Planning use various techniques to monitor task accomplishment together with the associated man hours and to generate management reports to ensure full visibility of any potential issues which may impact the re-delivery time of the aircraft.

Production Planning are also responsible to ensure that all data is entered correctly within the work package and associated check documentation. The Production Planning Department directly supports the organisation to manage the documentation process, ensuring full compliance with the requirements of EASA/ GCAA as well as conformity with the company’s processes and procedures. Including detailed recording of, all man hour estimates, schedules and production plans in development of required work scopes.

To pursue continuous process optimisation and other improvements, endeavour to and eliminate waste wherever possible, whilst ensuring full compliance with all regulatory obligations to establish performance metrics and goals and develop appropriate performance evaluation processes to ensure that goals are set and achievable and in line with corporate strategy.

To directly support the development of strategic plans and budgets, clearly establishing objectives and resultant actionable items.

Sofema Aviation Services offers a number of Production Planning Training courses both as Classroom based and Online. Please see here for more details or email us at office@sassofia.com or online@sassofia.com