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Procedure – What is an Aviation Procedure?
An Aviation Procedure is defined as a specific way to perform an activity or function that is documented and usually contains the purposes and scope of the activity or function: what is to be done and by whom; when, where, and how the activity or function is to be done; the materials, equipment, and documents [...]
Guidance for Writing Aviation Maintenance and Inspection Documents
Writing clear, concise, consistent instructions, procedures and manuals is essential for ensuring airworthiness when maintaining or inspecting aircraft. Say exactly what is meant and say it clearly, concisely, and accurately… ”Garbage in = Garbage out” A good starting point are the instructions the FAA uses to draft Airworthiness Directives. Following the guidance contained in FAA-IR-M-8040.1A [...]
Aircraft Engine Operation
Introduction Unless you are flying a glider, the aircraft engine is one of the most important parts of your aircraft. Knowing how to operate your engine in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your safety in the air. This document provides information and basic [...]
NTSB Determines the Cause of ABX Boeing 767 Cargo Aircraft Fire
The National Transportation Safety Board has determined that the probable cause of a ground fire that caused extensive damage to a cargo airplane last year was due to the design of oxygen system hoses and the lack of positive separation between electrical wiring and electrically conductive oxygen system components. The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) failure [...]
Minimum Equipment List
The minimum equipment list (MEL) is intended to permit operations with certain inoperative items of equipment for the minimum period of time necessary until repairs can be accomplished. It is important that repairs are accomplished at the earliest opportunity in order to return the aircraft to its design level of safety and reliability. Be mindful [...]
FAA Inspection Authorizations – IA
The basic functions of the holder of an inspection authorization (IA) are set forth in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 65, section 65.95. With the exception of aircraft maintained in accordance with a Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program under part 121, an IA may inspect and approve for return [...]
Inspecting Repairs and Alterations
Inspecting repairs or alterations consists of these basic operations: Determine that the repair or alteration data has FAA approval. Inspect the configuration of the repair or alteration for conformity to the approved data and the performance standards of 14 CFR part 43. At the same time, the aircraft should still comply with applicable airworthiness [...]
APPROVING MAJOR REPAIRS AND MAJOR ALTERATIONS
A primary responsibility of the holder of an IA is to determine airworthiness by inspecting repairs or alterations for conformity to approved data, and assuring that the aircraft is in a condition for safe operation. During inspection of major repairs or major alterations, the holder of an IA must also determine that they are compatible [...]
Unreliable Airspeed indication warning – Air France Crash
EASA has issued the following Safety Information Bulletin to all commercial operators to raise awareness of possible unreliable airspeed indications related to pitot static systems due to the Air France Crash: Background: During the recent accident of an A330 into the Atlantic Ocean on 01 June 2009, and without prejudging the final outcome of [...]
Aviation Corrosion Inspections
Aircraft are built from a variety of materials. There is one group of materials out of these, metal that is subject to deterioration due to corrosion. To a certain extent plastics may also deteriorate but are not subject to corrosion like metals. While wood and fabric suffer from the effects of aging and deterioration, fewer [...]