Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com – considers best practices and challenges related to the recovery of aircraft suffering from accidents & incidents.

Having aircraft recovery processes & procedures in place is essential for efficient airport operations, closing a runway even for a short time typically creates a significant problem with associated costs and loss of revenue for example related to aircraft diversions and flight airspace.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com looks at some of the common questions associated with the use of FAA 8130-3.

Introduction - Does the 8130-3 Guidance Seem Confusing?

8130-3 was not designed to be solely a return-to-service document for use in complying with 14 CFR 43.9. Its other uses include export airworthiness approvals of Class II and Class III products; conformity determinations; identifying the airworthiness approval status of products (engines and propellers) in domestic transactions; airworthiness approval of parts and appliances under 14 CFR 21.305; and splitting bulk shipments of previously shipped parts.

Sofema Online (SOL)  www.sofemaonline.com considers the FAA requirements ref. US-EU MAG change 8

Introduction

Approval for Release or Return to Service of a U.S.-Registered Aircraft and Foreign-Registered Aircraft Operating Under 14 CFR includes the following elements:

Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) www.sassofia.com considers the route to FAA certificate of UAS equipment.

Introduction - Certification for Advanced Operations Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

What is Airworthiness?

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the purpose and use of FAA 8130-3.

Introduction

The 8130-3 form is an FAA-required document that is primarily used to verify parts and components within the global aviation system.

Review by Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com looking at the process which drives Safety Risk Management (SRM).

Introduction related to general principles of safety risk management:

» All system operations represent some degree of risk.
» Recognize that human interaction with elements of the system entails some element of risk.
» Keep hazards in proper perspective.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the responsibilities of EU-based AMOs holding a 14 CFR Part 145 approval. Ref Maintenance Annex Guidance Change 8 Section C.

Introduction – Certification Process for EU-based Approved Maintenance Organizations

Initial Certification Process

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com looks at the process of delivering assurance within an FAA - EASA Compliant Safety Management System.

Introduction - Considering the Definition of Safety Assurance

» EASA – Safety assurance – all planned and systematic actions necessary to afford adequate confidence that a product, a service, an organisation, or a functional system achieves acceptable or tolerable safety.
» FAA – Safety assurance – Processes within the SMS that function systematically to ensure the performance and effectiveness of safety risk controls and that the organization meets or exceeds its safety objectives through the collection, analysis, and assessment of information.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the best practice related to the use of the Aircraft Minimum Equipment List (MEL).

Introduction

The MEL is a commonly used tool allowing for the safe and continuous operation of the aircraft until rectification of certain inoperative equipment or unavailable system functions that are not adversely affecting the airworthiness of the aircraft. Understanding the principles and rules for correctly applying MEL items is crucial for both maintenance personnel and flight crews

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com looks at the various terms related to the codes or other certification specifications governing the design and performance of civil aeronautical products and articles.

“Amended Type Certificate (ATC)” means a design change made by the TC holder that requires an amendment to the TC and the Type Certification Data Sheet (TCDS).

“Appliance” means any instrument, mechanism, equipment, part, apparatus, appurtenance, or accessory, including communications equipment, that is used or intended to be used in operating or controlling an aircraft in flight, is installed in or attached to the aircraft, and is not part of an airframe, aircraft engine, or propeller.

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com Considers the applicable repair criteria – ref Implementation Procedures for Airworthiness Revision 1 March 29, 2019.

Introduction - Design Data for Repairs

Acceptance of Design Data Used in Support of Repairs.

» Design data used in support of repairs must be approved or accepted, as appropriate, by the Exporting Authority (EA) / State of Design (SOD).

Sofema Online (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com considers the function of evaluation board and operational suitability data related to FAA & UK CAA Type Certification.

Introduction UK CAA Evaluation Process

The UK CAA system (derived from EASA) includes, under the type certification process, an approval of data that are considered necessary for the safe operation of an aircraft, called the Operational Suitability Data (OSD).

» These data, once approved, are attached to the TC through a reference in the TCDS and owned by the TC holder.

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;

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.

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

Answer – All of the 13,000 Aviation Professionals have enrolled in SofemaOnline (SOL) www.sofemaonline.com EASA & FAA Online Regulatory Compliant Training Platform as registered users.

Introducing SofemaOnline

Welcome to SofemaOnline! The №1 destination for online regulatory compliant and vocational training courses in the aviation industry. (We will be glad to welcome you on board!)

Critical Task Inspection FAA versus EASA

An FAA RII item is defined as: A designation of the items of maintenance and alteration that must be inspected (required inspections) including at least those that could result in a failure, malfunction or defect, endangering the safe operation of the aircraft if not performed properly or if improper parts or materials are used.

Review by Sofema Online - Taking a look at how long the FAA Suspect Parts Program has been in place.

Introduction

The FAA Suspected Unapproved Parts (SUP) Program Office opened in November 1995 with a mandate to promote a pro-active approach to the task of identifying unapproved parts and removing them from the aviation system.

Sofema Online www.sofemaonline.com considers issued related to FAA & EASA Suspect Unapproved Parts (SUP)

Introduction

Both EASA and the FAA take very seriously the potential exposure regarding Suspect Parts and will typically take positive action to address once informed by Industry of the reason for the Suspect Part.

Parts manufactured without an appropriate and legal authorized release are described as "unapproved"; they may, in fact, be inferior counterfeits, or be original parts but have in fact been used beyond their time limits, or have not been correctly repaired or have been previously approved but not properly returned to service, be stolen, come with fraudulent labels, production overruns that were not sold with the agency's permission, and those that are untraceable.

Sofema Online looks at the issues surround Suspect Unapproved Parts (SUP’s)

Whether you are dealing with EASA or FAA parts the challenge remains the same – namely to ensure that the parts are airworthy and from a reputable source.

EASA Article 4(4) of Regulation (EU) 376/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council tasks EASA with the establishment of a mandatory reporting system. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1018 specifies that one of the occurrences which are subject to reporting is ‘the use of products, components or materials, from unknown, suspect origin, or unserviceable critical components’ – SUP.