Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com takes a look at the process to ensure effective control of “Aircraft On Ground” (AOG’s) & Unscheduled Maintenance

Introduction

Significant losses are suffered due to AOG’s and unscheduled maintenance, across industry tunning to many millions of Dollars.

» Losses Occur primarily due to the non-availability of aircraft resulting in lost revenue.
» Parts & Materials ordered on an AOG basis are typically charged at a premium rate.

SofemaOnline (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the best practices needed to ensure effective management of Technical Documentation within the Maintenance Control Centre

Introduction

Strong Management of Technical documentation is imperative for a well-run Maintenance Control Centre. Administration of technical document management should never be overlooked and can adversely affect smooth-running and operational effectiveness if not managed to a high level.

To support efficiency & safety we should ensure that we have the most appropriate systems and processes in place that can help support all associated business areas.

SofemaOnline (SOL) considers the communication relationship between the Maintenance Control Centre (MCC) and the Airline Operations Control Centre (OCC)

Introduction – Considering OCC Functions

The goal of any OCC is to be efficient, effective and promote best practice decision making- To make the best decision for the right reasons (Based on the optimum data set available)

The development of an OCC is a continuous process usually driven by either a shortfall in expected outcome (driven by an ineffective process) or the internal need to improve a process which whilst compliant with the objective no longer meets acceptance.

SofemaOnline (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers primary aspects of FAA Certification including aircraft & repairs.

Introduction - How Does the FAA Certify Aircraft?

The FAA collaborates with the International Civil Aviation Organization and other civil aviation authorities to maintain and advance the safety of international air transportation.

The Certification Process involves the following:

» A review of any proposed designs and the methods that will be used to show that these designs and the overall airplane complies with FAA regulations;
» Ground tests and flight tests to demonstrate that the airplane operates safely;
» An evaluation of the airplane's required maintenance and operational suitability for introduction of the airplane into service;

SofemaOnline (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the primary roles and responsibilities of MCC Personnel – Shift Engineer

Shift Manager of Maintenance Control (Aircraft Maintenance Controller)

The MCC Shift Engineer is responsible to the Maintenance Control Centre Manager for the smooth operation of the MCC department with the following key responsibilities.

Will typically have 5 years minimum experience with a relevant technical background. Will be expected to have worked in most areas of maintenance, including base maintenance, line maintenance, & production planning.

SofemaOnline (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com looks at evaluating the benefits of implementing a Maintenance Control Centre.

Introduction

A major advantage of cost-benefit analysis lies in forcing people to explicitly and systematically consider the various factors which should influence strategic decisions, using the cost-benefit analysis process we are able to drive more critical thinking around all aspects of the project value.

Note Cost-benefit analysis assumes that a monetary value can be placed on all the costs and benefits of a program, including tangible and intangible returns.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the primary roles and responsibilities of MCC Personnel

Manager of Maintenance Control

The MCC Manager is responsible to the Accountable Manager/Technical Director/Continuing Airworthiness Manager (As applicable) for the smooth operation of the MCC department with the following key responsibilities.

Will typically have 10 years minimum experience as well as recent appropriate managerial experience with a relevant technical background. Will be expected to have worked in most areas of maintenance, including base maintenance, line maintenance, and production planning.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the process of developing an Aviation Maintenance Control Centre from an existing EASA compliant Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO) operation

Introduction - What’s in a MCC?

     »  All the elements of Maintenance Control are to be found within Part M of the regulations (however the reverse statement is not true)

To consider the contents of Part M, in particular, Part M Subpart C as an appropriate starting point.

A review carried out by Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com

Introduction

As with the majority of organizational elements to be found within the MCC the key is to build on the basic understanding of what functions the MCC will perform.

An early decision relates to the decision whether to co-locate the Maintenance Control Centre (MCC) with the Operations Control Centre (OCC). When both units are co-located the organisations report more effective communications and improved coordination during emergencies and AOG Situations.

Overview by Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com

Airworthiness Directives (ADs) are legally enforceable rules issued by the FAA in accordance with 14 CFR part 39 to correct an unsafe condition in a product.

     »  14 CFR part 39 defines a product as an aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance.

AD Development and Issuance

FAA Order 8040.1 defines FAA's authority and responsibility for the development and issuance of ADs.

Introduced by Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com

26.50 Seats, berths, safety belts, and harnesses - Regulation (EU) 2015/640
Operators of large aeroplanes used in commercial air transport, type certified on or after 1 January 1958, shall ensure that each flight or cabin crew member seat and its restraint system are configured in order to provide an optimum level of protection in an emergency landing whilst allowing the occupant’s necessary functions and facilitating rapid egress.

Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) www.sassofia.com considers the need and regulatory drivers and understand why are required for existing repairs and changes.

Introduction

What is the rationale for DTE and DTI of repairs and changes?

Essentially it is related to the possibility of Early Fatigue or Fails safe requirements (pre 25 571 Amdt 45) which did not necessarily provide for timely inspection of critical structure so that damaged or failed components could be dependably identified and repaired or replaced before a hazardous condition developed.

Further Considerations by Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com

Introduction

This regulation has been updated to address the possibility of catastrophic failure of large ageing aeroplanes due to fatigue and corrosion.

» Cost-Effective Practical & Relevant Training

» Ideal to Prepare you Safety Department as part of your Annual ERP Assessment

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com offers an online course equivalent to 2 classroom days covering Practical Crisis Management and Emergency Response Planning  - Please follow the link here: Practical Crisis Management and Emergency Response Planning

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com is pleased to provide an intensive course covering Part SPA - Specific Approvals including PBN, MNPS, RVSM, LVO (AWOPS), ETOPS

Equivalent to 2 Days Classroom training - outstanding value for 112.50 Euros

Multiple Delegate Discounts are available, please see here for course details: https://sofemaonline.com/lms/courses/309-easa-part-spa-specific-approvals-for-industry-amp-regulatory-authorities/preview

All About Part SPA?

Part SPA was issued as Annex V to Commission Regulation 965/2012. Consisting of Implementing Rules, (IRs), Acceptable Means of Compliance, (AMCs), and Guidance Material, (GMs) Part SPA concerns Specific Approvals typically related to an Air Operators Certificate (Air Carrier) for which an AOC may apply.

Measuring the effectiveness of your company's quality system should be an essential element of the management of your overall quality management system strategy.

The process starts with a review of the organizational QMS policy together with a detailed gap analysis to assess full compliance with all regulatory obligations.

Having established regulatory compliance a further measure for assessing the strength of QMS is to employ a formal “internal” compliance audit process which will be set against an expected organisational standard.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers audit best practices.

With the exception of EASA Part 21 Subpart J Design Organisation Approval which as you will be aware is managed directly by EASA.

The process for all other approvals (Air Carrier – Part 145 / Part M / Part 147 / Part 21 Subpart G POE / ATO) is managed by the Competent Authority.

Essentially works as follows:

Overview by Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com

H25.1 General - Ref CS 25.1529 and CS 25.1729.

• Each Aircraft ICAW Must Include Engine & Propeller (Identified as Products)
• For Each required Appliance including – interface
     » Must include ICAW
• Should consider AMC20-20 (Aging Structures)

Considerations Related to EASA Aircraft Flight Manual and Supplements, presented by Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com

Introduction

The International Civil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) Annex 8 requires that each aircraft be provided with a flight manual, placards, or other document stating the approved limitations within which the aircraft is considered airworthy as defined by the appropriate airworthiness requirements, additional instructions, and information necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft.

An Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) is part of the type design as required by the type certification basis that the aircraft was originally certificated to.

       »  In some cases the original certification requirements are changed by a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), mandating the provision of an AFM even though the original type certification basis did not require the provision of an AFM.
       »  All AFMs are identified by a part number like any other critical part of the aircraft.
       »  The primary source for identifying the AFM applicable to a particular aircraft is the Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS).

Easy Access Rules for Airworthiness and Environmental Certification (Regulation (EU) No 748/2012)
Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com reviews the control process and available data supporting OSD.

 Introduction

The EC published on 27 January 2014 a new requirement in certification - “Operational Suitability Data” (OSD), mandating that aircraft manufacturers, including those building helicopters, submit data EASA considers important for safe operations.

OSD covers the following:

       »  Pilot training,
       »  Maintenance Staff Qualification
       »  Simulator Qualification
       »  The master minimum equipment list (MMEL);
       »  (Possibly other areas, depending on the aircraft’s systems.)