These are questions that our clients often have!
Like many practices in involving human beings, documentation is subject to a number of factors.
- Many different people and teams of people work on aircraft.
- While the aircraft operator is ultimately responsible for the state of the aircraft documentation, aircraft operators tend to rely on a number of different vendors to complete this work for them.
- Different vendors often use different processes or software for managing records.
- Landing gear
- Engines
- Airframe
- APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) in the tail
Life-limited part means any part for which a mandatory replacement limit is specified in the type design, the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness, or the maintenance manual. Life status means the accumulated cycles, hours, or any other mandatory replacement limit of a life-limited part.
All parts that are installed on an aircraft must come from a known manufacturing source. If you can determine the origin of the parts and they have been maintained according to the manufacturer’s maintenance manual, as well as any applicable Airworthy Directives (ADs) then the parts meet the regulatory requirements.
However, the regulations have nothing to do with contractual obligations such as aircraft lease agreements. This is where you will normally find language such as full traceability back to birth or “Industry Standard/Requirements”.
This list is not conclusive:
- Service Records
- Maintenance Records
- Details of Maintenance Performed
- Damage/Incident reports
- Transfer records
- Engine Component Records
- Airworthiness Directive Records (ADs)
- Manufacturer Record
- Modifications/Supplemental Type Certificate Records