Source: http://www.internationalflightresources.com/easa-vs-faa-maintenance
Timestamp: 2019-02-20 09:33:39
Document Index: 147751367

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 91', 'art:\n91', 'art 43', 'art 43', 'art 91', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 91', 'art 145', 'art 66']

EASA vs. FAA Maintenance | International Flight Resources
Just what is a “Maintenance Release?” in FAA Terms?
For the Part 91/GA operator, the key regulation is 91.407. This reads in part:
91.407 OPERATION AFTER MAINTENANCE, REBUILDING, or ALTERATION:
(1) It has been approved for return to service by a person authorized under 43.7; and
(2) The maintenance record entry required by 43.9 or 43.11 has been made.
“The Maintenance Release” found in ICAO and EASA is more accurately translated as a “Return to Service” entry in FAA terms. Commercial operators have their own FAA approved Maintenance Program and procedures to follow in this case.
Who Can Make this “Return to Service” in FAA Terms?
Follow me to 43.3 and 43.7. Here are the key parts to these regulations:
43.3 PERSONS AUTHORIZED TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE, PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE, REBUILDING, AND ALTERATIONS.
43.7 PERSONS AUTHORIZED TO APPROVE AIRCRAFT, AIRFRAMES, AIRCRAFT ENGINES, PROPELLERS, APPLIANCES, OR COMPONENT PARTS FOR RETURN TO SERVICE AFTER MAINTENANCE, PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE, REBUILDING, OR ALTERATION.
For all this drilling-down we have finally hit pay dirt! Any pilot who are not mechanics, with at least a Private Pilot license are authorized under Part 43 to perform “Preventive Maintenance” and sign off the “Return to Service”. Part 43 Appendix A, (c) has a list of “Preventive Maintenance” items. Here are a few for your reference.
Does This Mean I can do my own Database Updates?
For a Part 91/GA operator. 43.3 speaks directly to this issue. Comply with the conditions below and you are a “Go for pilot update.”
(2) The pilot must comply with the certificate holder’s procedures or the manufacturer’s instructions.
(3) The holder of operating certificates must make available written procedures consistent with manufacturer’s instructions to the pilot that describe how to:
Note that in June of 2017, The FAA conducted a review of MMEL PL-98. As a result, MMEL relief for an out of currency navigation database while still allowing relief for an inoperative database. Take a look at InFO 17007 DATE: 6/15/17 Titled: Subject: Updated Information on Navigation Database Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) Relief for more details.
What Does This “Return to Service” Need to say to be legit?
The pilot is required to log each item they perform in the maintenance records of the aircraft in the detail required by
43.9(a). This means:
Who is Responsible for Checking that the “Release to Service is signed off? (Easy Question)
The OWNER or OPERATOR shall ENSURE that maintenance personnel make appropriate entries in the aircraft maintenance records (the aircraft maintenance log) indicating that the aircraft has been approved for return to service. If the owner or operator does not check for this written, signed and dated entry for return to service, then there is a bad day experience…the pilot could be held in violation of 91.405
Here’s a couple more interesting factoids on pre-flighting the maintenance logs…
“OPERABLE CONDITION” means in a condition so as to operate efficiently and in the manner intended by the manufacturer.
The NTSB has ruled that a “MECHANICAL IRREGULARITY” is
“Any deviation from the normal functioning of an aircraft component no matter how slight or momentary.”
So if I’m in an ICAO or EASA Country Why do they Make such a big deal of the “Maintenance Release” ?
EASA uses the ICAO “Maintenance Release” as the means by which to prove that the PIC has satisfied him/herself the jet is airworthy and has been “Returned to Service”.Follow this link to the document titled “SAFA Ramp Inspections Guidance Material, Version 2.0” This is the playbook for SAFA inspectors. On PDF page 113, Item A23 this specifically describes the Maintenance Release as the means for PIC verification of airworthiness.
SAFA is built around Annex 6, Part 1 and is for commercial operators. SAFA is designed to create a “NO-FLY” list of airlines for the EU. This means that there are very little exact references that work for a private/GA operator in EASA. SAFA inspectors are “Given wide latitude” in determining the compliance when it comes to private/GA ops during these ramp inspections. My opinion is that this is why there is so much inconsistent application of the ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices toward GA aircraft in SAFA checks.
The wording lends one to think of a specific maintenance task and then return to service vice released for many flights for a number of days.
Annex 6, Part 2 Paragraph 2.6.4.2 is the counterpart to Annex 6, Part 1 Paragraph 4.3.1 (Airworthiness)
Annex 6, Part 2 Paragraph 3.4.3 is the counterpart to Annex 6, Part 1 Paragraph 8.8 (Maintenance Release)
So as a Part 91/GA Operator, can I perform my own maintenance in ICAO or EASA countries and still be legit?
Yes and No. Yes to everything that you are approved to do as a pilot under 91.407, 43.3 and Appendix A to 43.3. This means at least a private pilot, preforming only preventive maintenance. EU #1321/2014, Article one exempts aircraft registered in a third country and not used by an EU operator, or has a ‘principal place of business’ inside the EU.
As a practical matter, anything outside of preventative maintenance inside EASA or ICAO you will need to have an internal major maintenance repair and alterations program or use the state’s system for maintenance. This means EASA Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014) and a Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization, CAMO with Part 145 certified operations using Part 66 certified technicians.
1) ATP pilots can preform “Preventative Maintenance” worldwide
2) Maintenance Release and Return to Service are almost interchangeable terms
3) Maintenance in EASA usually requires a maintenance organization outside your own that employs type-rated technicians specific to your Make/Model of aircraft.
4) Breaking down on the road is a painful experience