Introduction:
May be first time you hear about “aircraft technical record” it might seem obvious, but in this article we tried to uncover a set of rules and regulations which describes what we mean by “Aircraft technical Records” or “aircraft continuing airworthiness records”
Please at any circumstances don’t underestimate the importance of the technical records, without documentary evidence supporting the airworthiness status of the aircraft simply it would not be allowed to fly (in fact if the aircraft continuing airworthiness technical records were not available then the certificate of Airworthiness would be also be declared invalid!)- and ofcourse the aircraft not airworthy.
Regulatory definitions:
EASA definitions:
“Detailed maintenance records” are required to be kept by an AMO (respectively Part-M/F organization or Part-145 organization). Maintenance organizations are required to retain all detailed records in order to be able to demonstrate that they maintained aircraft and components in compliance with applicable requirements. as defined in M.A.614 or 145.A.55(c)
“Detailed maintenance records”: are those records, coming from the AMO having performed maintenance, required to be kept by the owner/operator (or the CAMO when required by M.A.201) allowing to determine the aircraft configuration, the airworthiness status of the aircraft and all components installed, as well as to plan future maintenance as required by the AMP, based on the last accomplishment. as defined in M.A.305(h)
What the tasks required from “Technical record department”?
- a) Maintain and manage any records associated with the maintenance management or operation (track hour /cycle /calendar to aircraft /engine/units/ components).
- b) Liaise with the Stores inspector regarding the management of components and the control of Form 1’s for fitted components.
- c) Raise, Issue and Distribute end of month status and engineering reports.
- d) Liaison with Maintenance Planning and Engineering Departments in particular in respect of component configuration and status.
- e) Support the performance of Airworthiness Reviews (ARC) process to ensure correct availability of back to birth records for Continuing Airworthiness.
- d) Importation and Exportation of Aircraft Technical Records as required.
- e) Perform QC Data checks of the various information’s which managed by the Technical records office and resolve any ambiguities, technical or other problems from Engineering, Operations and Crew.
- f) General and administrative support to Engineering for additional support tasks for example management of Calibration and or servicing records of Ground Support Equipment (GSE)
- g) Support for the Quality Department to track and manage Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Licenses (LAME) and Organization Company Approval as appropriate.
- h) Perform Training and Mentoring to Technical Records support staff and junior administration staff regarding the correct functioning of the organization’s procedures.
Record keeping / Retention:
It is considered a best practice as part of the AMO record-keeping system, (and it is also required by certain competent authorities) to record information (e.g. batch number or other tracking reference) relevant to the identification of all standard parts and material used during any maintenance. This practice may limit safety and industrial risks in the case where a batch is recalled by the manufacturer. Such record does not need to be transmitted to the owner/operator/CAMO. See below figure
Finally, we in digital world, so it’s preferable to use digital software for all record. the software record system has many benefits than old fashion record (paper record), it gives you more control, ease the tracking process, searchable, can make better decision by making data analysis easily and ton of other benefits than paper record.
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