Introduction
Aerospace legislation represents the laws, rules, and regulations enacted by the legislature to govern the conduct of the aerospace industry. In Europe, the task of air regulation and civilian aviation safety are under the docket of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA 1). This agency was created in the year 2002 and has been effective in performing the duty of regulating the aerospace industry in the European Union. EASA achieved its full functionality in 2008 (EASA 1). Its main tasks include:
- Providing advice to the European Union on ways to draft new legislations.
- Implementing safety rules and maintaining the air standards of member states.
- Certifying the type of aircrafts within the EU region.
- Certifying the quality of components used in aircrafts.
- Approving organizations that design aircrafts and their components.
EASA has the power to issue approval certificates to aircrafts. Moreover they approve airworthiness of aircrafts and approve the quality of aircraft parts such as engines and propellers. EASA works in collusion with the aviation authorities within the European Union to ensure that maintenance of aircrafts is up to the required standards (EASA 2). The aviation industry in Europe has formulated rules and regulations that govern aircraft maintenance, organization structure, and planning(EASA 11). This paper will therefore discuss the management procedures involved in maintenance, the functions of the maintenance department and maintenance processes. In addition, the paper discusses the rules and regulations of maintenance procedures and safety as per the European Aviation Safety Agency manual.
Aircraft Maintenance Planning Procedures
Technical Log
It is a data sheet that records all information on technical procedures and operation for each aircraft that has taken flight. Technical data includes information on defects, malfunctions fuel consumption and maintenance data. The purpose of the technical log is to ensure that all details on problems are recorded and distributed within the company for smooth operation. EASA uses the data in a technical log to determine if an aircraft is airworthy. Management is responsible in the task of certifying a technical log. Usually the maintenance manager is the one responsible in this matter but the Accountable manager may appoint any competent manager to certify a technical log.
Data Recording
This is the process of storing information in a data storage device. The devices may range from a simple data sheet to complex computer programs (EASA 15). Different information is recorded using different devices. Information can be recorded using a computer, or simply be written down using a pen. Data is recorded in form of technical logs, job cards, and a data maintenance sheets. The main purpose of data storage, in the maintenance department, is to determine the scope of work, to provide records for future analysis and to act as evidence of work completed (EASA 15). Managers of different departments are responsible for data storage in their departments. Therefore each manager can appoint a data storage expert to assist in data management.
Maintenance Schedule
A maintenance schedule is an organized plan for matters that require specific attention in the maintenance department. The maintenance manager has the responsibility of preparing the maintenance schedule. The duty of approving a maintenance schedule bestowed on the Accountable manager. Preparation of a maintenance schedule requires the manager to consider the management system of company, the planning process, available time and amount of resources available. Moreover, the maintenance manager has to consider factors such as human performance, limitation of performance and the level complexity of the work (EASA 28). Types of maintenance checks include: maintenance on aircraft components and equipment, servicing, fuelling, de-icing, and maintenance on new defects and repetitive defects. Specific maintenance procedures include, aircraft towing, engine run up, technical wash and scraping of parts (EASA 29).
Service Bulletins
Manufacturers, supplier, contractors, and subcontractors may improve on the original design for the purpose of reducing maintenance costs. These changes are usually communicated to the customer through the service bulletins. The use of service bulleting is optional at the discretion of the customer since they are provided at extra cost. However, service bulletins can be made mandatory by bodies such as the EASA. For example, EASA can make it compulsory for management to provide information on management systems, organization structure, and scope of work. These components must comply with EASA’s required standards for the organization to be approved to participate in aerospace business. Changes in these components must be communicated to EASA otherwise EASA is bound to change the conditions of issuance of an approval. Part 145 A. section 85 of the EASA exposition requires that the organization should notify the authorities in matters related to:
- Changes that may occur in respect to change of an organizations name
- Changes or cancellation of maintenance sites that were recognized by EASA
- Changes that may occur in terms of Accountable Manager or changes in personnel management as a whole
Airworthiness Directives
These are rules and regulation issued by aerospace authority to correct unsafe conditions in a plane or its components (DGCA 27). A company will consider an aircraft safe to fly when it has fulfilled all the conditions necessary as per EASA’s requirement. However, an aircraft may have certified all the requirements of EASA but still experience problems (DGCA 27). These problems are usually not anticipated and may not have been detected in the prototype test. When these cases arise, EASA or the aviation authorities in charge may issue airworthiness directive to owners of such certificates and other global owner of such aircrafts. These directives usually consist of new methods that can be used to correct and restore the airworthiness of the affected aircraft. Airworthiness directives may also be issued when there are changes in EASA’s rules and regulation (DGCA 27). Changes in global aviation rule also warrant change issue of aircraft directives. Airworthiness directives are usually mandatory due to the fact that safety is paramount in the aviation industry
Certificate of Airworthiness
It is a certificate issued by national aerospace authority. The certificate proves that the aircraft has certified the national aviation authority’s requirement on its type design. Moreover, it proves that the aircraft is safe for human use thus deemed as airworthy (EASA 32). Airworthiness certificate is issued for different categories. For example, an airworthiness certificate may be issued for continuing airworthiness of a plane after maintenance (DGCA 20). The certificate may also be issued to new planes that are breaking into the aviation industry. The validity of an airworthiness certificate depends on the age of the aircraft. The following table shows the and the validity according to procedure manual issued by Directorate General of Civil Aviation(DGCA 57)
Stores Procedures and Structure of Jar 145 Organization
Quality System
These are organizational systems, structures, processes and procedures used to enhance the organizations consistency in providing quality services to their customers (Wai and Stewart 143). These quality systems are broadly divided into four subsystem; quality planning, quality assurance quality improvements and quality control (Rose 41). In the aviation industry quality systems include; quality audits of the aircrafts, quality of staff in the organization, competence assessment of personnel and many other quality procedures. All these processes and procedures are incorporated into the four subsystems mentioned above. Therefore a quality subsystem is required to have the four subsystems that combine to make a quality system.
EASA Part 21
EASA part 21 outlines the certification procedures of products and components of aircrafts (EASA). Subpart A is about general procedures involved in certifying components. Subpart B, C, D, elaborates on the types of certificates issued by EASA and alternatives for issue of certificates (EASA 11). EASA part 21 subpart G focuses on organizations that are responsible for making and designing the components of an aircraft.. A design organization list contains all the names of companies that have been approved by EASA to trade in aerospace parts and components. These organizations must be holders of an approval certificate or must have applied for a certificate of approval before beginning business. In case the design organizations need to change their design or mode of maintenance they must apply for a design organization approval certificate. EASA part -21 subpart J defines the production organization. A production organization is a company licensed/ certified to build aircrafts and its parts.
Functions of Light Aircraft Maintenance Schedule and Aircraft Category
The light aircraft maintenance manual CAP 520 contains the information that provides guidance on application of the schedule (EASA 12). LAMS address the maintenance requirements of light aircraft. The function of light aircraft maintenance schedule is to provide engineers with guidance on how to carry out maintenance on different categories of aircrafts. Moreover, LAMS lists the mandatory requirements of EASA, general inspections and servicing requirements. Also listed are standards of maintenance and recommended practices that the design organization needs from its customers (EASA 23).
There are several categories of airplanes. In 2003 the ultra light/ very light aircrafts were added to the existing categories. This category of airplanes include single passenger plane and the home built crafts. The other categories are: the light aircrafts which include the helicopters and turbine engine planes, the medium planes include the leer jets and lastly the heavy aircrafts are the large commercial aircrafts. This classification of aircrafts is according to the weight and number of passengers an aircraft can carry. Other categories exist of aircrafts exist; these categories may be classified according to speed and other relevant components of the plane(EASA 12).
Log Books Required for Large Aircrafts
The federal aviation regulation requires that large transportation aircrafts should have logbooks. The large transport aircrafts require four major log books. The major log books required are; engine logbook, aircraft log book, propeller logbook and airworthiness directive logbook. A commercial transportation also requires a technical log on the current air certificate in addition to the logs mentioned above. An aircraft log book would contain; the type of the aircraft, the registration mark, the date of flight, total flight time, flight cycles and landing. A typical entry on the engine book would include entrance on service and maintenance.
Mandatory Occurrence Requirement
Mandatory occurrence requirement requires the company to report occurrences that meet the CAA’s mandatory occurrence reporting criteria. The purpose of the MOR is to ensure that useful information on safety is gathered, stored, reported and disseminated. Therefore, the purpose of the MOR is to ensure accidents can accidents are avoided at the earliest possible time. In addition, the MOR ensures that an aviation company minimizes its liability in case of an accident. The regulatory framework within which an aviation industry can operate is bestowed on the CAA. Moreover, the CAA monitors the performance of the aviation industry. Mandatory occurrence reporting is embedded in the CAA monitoring function. An aviation company obtains information on occurrences from pilots after every flight. This information is then shared with the CAA. The CAA and the appropriate bodies or organizations will then investigate any occurrences.
Function and Structure of Joint Aviation Requirement OPS (Commercial Air Transportation) and Subpart M of the Organization
JAR governs the manner in which the commercial aircrafts operate in the European Union. The main function of the JAR-ops is to reduce the challenges experienced on joint ventures and to facilitate the import and export trade on aviation components and parts. JAR- OPS requires every aircraft in the EU to comply with the standards they provide. One of the standards requires the aviation companies to maintain proper operations manuals. JAR-OPS provide regulations on documentation procedures, training processes and compliances to be maintained(EASA 40). The structure of the JAR-OPS contain the basic regulations, under the basic regulations are the personnel requirements, authority requirements, air operation requirement, and third country operation requirement. JAR-ops subpart M covers aircraft maintenance. It provides the rules and regulations on airworthiness and maintenance(EASA 40). Moreover it specifies conditions to be fulfilled by organizations that are involved in continued airworthiness.
Requirements of an AOC
An air operation certificate is an approval that allows aircrafts to operate commercially. The national aerospace authority is responsible for the issuance of an AOC. The requirements to be fulfilled in order to get an air operation certificate will depend on the national aerospace authority of a given state (EASA 50). Generally requirements for an AOC certificate are: availability of airworthy aircrafts suited for the function they are meant to perform, well documented and implemented scheme of training staff, a well defined organization structure, well documented statement on the financial position of the operator, the operator’s liability insurance cover and a sufficient and appropriate employee base.
Issue of EASA Permit to Fly in Accordance to A#9 and what it Replaces
A company will be issued with a permit to fly once they fulfill some conditions set by EASA. When there is need to approve flight conditions, an aviation company must ensure that the flight circumstances and the required flight conditions align with EASA’s legislated safety design. On fulfilling this condition EASA can approve for a permit to fly to be issued to the company. The approval outlines the conditions under which the flight can be conducted. Once EASA has approved the flight conditions, an application may be made to an approved continuing airworthiness Management organization (CAMO) or the CAA for issuance of a permit to fly. The EASA permit to fly can be used in place of airworthiness certificate therefore it eliminates the need for an airworthiness certificate(EASA 43).
Conclusion
Aerospace legislation is a collection of rules and regulations generally accepted and applied by the court of laws when prosecuting cases pertaining infringement of law in aerospace industry. Therefore, legislation is as important as management strategy in aerospace industry. Aerospace managers are usually educated on both management aspects and legislation on aerospace. This has been attributed to the fact that the aviation industry is delicate. Therefore, the management of various aviation companies has to use strategies that will ensure that this delicate nature of the industry is not aggravated. European Aviation Safety Agency works together with the aviation authorities of European Union to ensure that the maintenance of aircrafts is standard. Moreover, they have enacted rules and regulations in respect to aerospace maintenance procedures, organizational procedures, and manner of planning. These rules provide guidance to managers in aerospace industry. The process of maintenance in the aerospace industry requires taking into consideration the rules and regulation of EASA. This ensures that the quality safety procedures must be observed at all times. This also ensures that organizations recognize safety of passengers as a major aspect of law at all times. This can only be achieved by working with auditors who checks the aircraft for quality maintenance and safety procedures. Maintenance managers therefore have to know how to use knowledge management to ensure they can perform their tasks efficiently and effectively.
Works cited
DGCA. Airworthiness Procedures Manual, London: Directorate General of Civil Aviation, 2009. Print.
EASA. Maintenance Organization User Guide, London: European Aviation Safety Agency, 2010. Print
Rose, Kenneth. Project Quality Management: Why What and How, Florida: Ross Publishing, 2005. Print.
Wai, Tat and Hase, Stewart. “Knowledge Management in the Malaysian Aerospace Industry.” Journal of Knowledge Management 11.1 (2007): 139-151. Print.