# Presentation: 658000

## 
June 9, 2004

**June 9, 2004**

**Determination of Aircraft Compliance and Continued Airworthiness Programs**

-     Presentation 13

## Regulation, Direction and Guidance 

- 91.180, 91.706 and part 91 Appendix G, Section 3 provide regulatory basis for:
- Inspector determination of aircraft RVSM compliance
- _Approved_ maintenance program requirements
- 8300.10, Vol 2, Chapter 5 provides instructions for determination of compliance and specific Maintenance Program elements and policy
- 91-RVSM paragraph 10 provides supporting guidance

## Inspector Guidance

- FAA Airworthiness Inspector Bulletin FSAW 97-14 originally provided inspector guidance
- FAA Order 8300.10, Airworthiness Inspector’s Handbook, Change 16 issued in May 2003
- 8300.10 Vol. 2, Chapter 5 replaces 97-14

## RVSM Documentation Webpage

- Aircraft compliance and maintenance documents posted on _or_ planned for RVSM Documentation Webpage include:
- Inspector Guidance
- GA/Business Aviation Aircraft Documents
- Large Transport Aircraft Documents
- FAQs
- RVSM Homepage:  www.faa.gov/ats/ato/rvsm1.htm

## 8300.10:  Determination of Aircraft Compliance

- PAI or PMI makes the determination of aircraft RVSM compliance
- _For In-service Aircraft:_   ensures that Service Bulletin, Service Letter, or STC required inspections and/or modifications have been performed and documented
- _For In-production/New-production aircraft:_   to ensure that
- aircraft is RVSM compliant, looks for statement in Airplane Flight Manual or Type Certificate Data Sheet
- _Determination of compliance:_  may be accomplished through examination of documents/data;  if documentation sufficient, physical inspection of an airframe may **not** be required

## 8300.10:  Determination of Aircraft Compliance

- Inspector lists airframes determined to be RVSM compliant in OpSpecs paragraph D092 or on LOA, as appropriate
- Inspector makes PTRS entry in accordance with inspector guidance
- PTRS codes:  see FAA Inspector Guidance on RVSM Documentation webpage
- FAA Technical Center uses PTRS data to register airframes on “US Operator/Aircraft RVSM Approvals Database”

## Appendix G Regulatory Basis

- Approved RVSM Maintenance program must contain:
- Periodic inspections, functional flight tests, maintenance and inspection procedures, acceptable maintenance practices
- Quality assurance program for test equipment
- Procedures for returning noncompliant aircraft to service

## 8300.10 Maintenance Program Elements

- 1.  The name or title of responsible person
- 2.  Identification of RVSM critical components and structural areas
- 3.  Method to ensure personnel performing maintenance are properly trained, qualified, and knowledgeable of _*specific*_ system
- Ref 91-RVSM10f (Maintenance Training Requirements)
- Aircraft geometric inspection technique
- Test equipment calibration/usage
- Any special documentation or procedures
- 4.  Method operator will use to notify crew if aircraft is restricted from RVSM operation

## 8300.10 Maintenance Program Elements

- 5.  Method to ensure conformance to RVSM maintenance standards
- use of calibrated and appropriate test equipment
- quality assurance program for continued accuracy and reliability of test equipment
- Ref 91-RVSM 10g (Test Equipment)
- Standards- accuracy, calibration, use
-    These requirements may be satisfied through the use of FAA Certified Repair Stations with appropriate programs but remain the responsibility of the operator

## 8300.10 Maintenance Program Elements

- 6.  Method to verify components or parts are eligible for installation in the RVSM system and prevent installation of ineligible parts or components

## 8300.10 Maintenance Program Elements

- 7.  Method operator will use to return an aircraft to service after maintenance
- Ref 91-RVSM 10e (Maintenance Practices for Non-compliant Aircraft)
- 8.  Periodic inspections, functional flight tests, and maintenance and inspection procedures
- Next two slides show paragraph references in 91-RVSM
-    Elements of program may be listed in detail or described by reference to an acceptable program that is identified and controlled by revision or issue number.

## 91-RVSM Maintenance and Inspection References

- 10b (Maintenance Program Approval Requirements)
- Include any maintenance requirements defined in approved RVSM Data Package
- 10c (Maintenance Document Requirements).   Review:
- Maintenance Manuals
- Structural Repair Manuals
- Standard Practices Manuals
- Illustrated Parts Catalogs
- Maintenance Schedule and MEL

## 91-RVSM Maintenance and Inspection References

_**10d (Maintenance Practices)**_
- Equipment maintained IAW manufacturer instructions
- Modification or repair subject to design review
- Maintenance practices in critical area review
- BITE not acceptable for calibration or RTS, unless addressed in Instructions for Continued Airworthiness
- Quick disconnects
- Airframe and static system IAW manufacturer instructions
- Skin waviness
- Existing maintenance requirements

## 8300.10 Maintenance Program Elements

- Functional Flight Tests
-   “The need for functional flight tests may be limited to only after repairs or modifications that are deemed to warrant such testing”

## 8300.10 Maintenance Program Elements

- The maintenance requirements listed in Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICAs) for any RVSM component or modifications
- RVSM STC or SB may contain ICA required to maintain RVSM standards
- 10.  Any other maintenance requirement required to ensure continued compliance with RVSM requirements

## 8300.10 Maintenance Program Policy

-    Operators using the services of FAA part 145 certified repair stations must include provisions to ensure their program requirements are met
- 	Operators that are _not_ required to have approved maintenance programs need only develop and obtain approval of a RVSM maintenance program

## 8300.10 Manual Requirements

- For operators under continued airworthiness program, separate RVSM manual or RVSM provisions incorporated into General Maintenance Manual are acceptable
- Inspection programs (AAIP or manufacturer’s recommended) do not qualify
- For Part 91, 135 (9 or less) and 125 operators, separate approved RVSM Maintenance Manual is the proven, preferred method of documenting program

## 14 CFR 91.411

- _91.411 (Altimeter system and altitude reporting equipment, test and inspections)_
- 24 month requirement to comply with Part 43, appendix E
- Not an RVSM based requirement
- RVSM tests are not an alternative

## 8300.10 Program Approval

- _Method of Approval:_
- Program elements inserted into an accepted program will have approval indicated for each element or group of elements
- Stand-alone manuals will have cover page statement and succeeding pages stamped or initialed
- Other approval controls may be used
- _Ref 91-RVSM Para10a (General)_
- Approved maintenance program
- Maintenance facilities

## Conclusion

- 	Continuous airworthiness programs are critical to acceptable aircraft altitude-keeping performance and to the overall safety of RVSM operations