Aviation Maintenance Management Quality Assurance Chapter 17

Quality Assurance Introduction Requirements for Quality Assurance (QA) Quality Audits ISO 9000 Quality Standards Technical Records Other Functions of QA Summary

Introduction Quality Assurance (QA) Airline must generate/establish maintenance and inspections programs to keep aircraft in an airworthy condition. Referred to as the CAMP (Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program) FAR 121.373 (Continuing Analysis and Surveillance) provides an additional requirement (pg 181)

Introduction Although airline must have an FAA approved maintenance and inspection program: They must monitor these programs to determine effectiveness and implement corrective actions when not effective The requirement is for work performed by themselves and any work performed by third-party organizations (including other airlines)

Functions of Quality Assurance Functions of QA: Administration and Management of QA and CASS activities Conducts QA audits of all M&E organizations Maintenance of Technical Records Liaison with the regulatory authority for all M&E functions

Quality Audits Audits should be detailed, fact-finding designed to look at all aspects, determine discrepancies and establish a corrective action with a finite time for correction of each discrepancy Must review administrative and supervisory aspects of the operation as well as the performance of the work

QA Audits Audits of Work Performance should include: Adequacy of tools, test equipment, and facilities Competency of assigned personnel (licenses, training, skills, and skill levels, etc) Shop and office orderliness Use and handling of tools, parts, supplies, and paperwork Airline Organization aspects to be audited: (pg 182 – Table 17-1) Processes and procedures related to line, hangar, and shop maintenance Processes and procedures related to materiel Processes and procedures related to engineering Processes and procedures related to training of maintenance and inspection personnel Purpose is to review current operations and ensure deficiencies are corrected – Spot checks or surprise audits could be warranted

QA Audits Supervisor of QA responsible for auditing all outside organizations Part suppliers, parts pools, third-party organizations and other contractors NOTE: FAR 121.373 – “Airline responsible for monitoring all maintenance on its aircraft regardless of who performs that maintenance.”

QA Audits Certain audits may span two or more organizations or activities within M&E (pg 185-186) Audited for their part within the larger process, procedure, or function without a full audit Ramp Operations Airplane Tire pressures Shop records Required Inspection Items (RIIs) AD & SB compliance Major repairs & alterations Safety equipment Safety training Accident/incident reporting Fire protection/prevention Hazardous materials handling

ISO 9000 Quality Standard Establishes the requirement for a quality system in organizations performing design and/or manufacturing or providing technical services ISO 9001 For facilities that design/develop, produce, install, and service products or services to customers who specify how the product or service is to perform ISO 9002 For facilities that provide goods or services to the customer’s design specifications ISO 9003 For those doing final inspection and testing Table 17-2 page 187

Technical Records Requirement is to ensure aircraft are maintained in airworthy condition and IAW certification req. Records allow FAA or other regulatory authorities to validate: Current status and that status is up-to-date Records allow new owner/operator or lessor to validate: Exact status w/respect to ADs, SBs, and modifications and major repairs Know what maintenance schedule is for that aircraft Progression of maintenance checks at time of transfer (A, B, C, etc…)

Technical Records Classification of Records (pg 188-189) Continuous Continuous, Routine, Repetitive and Permanent Continuous Continuously updated to reflect status at any point in time Routine Usually maintained for 15 months – may be transferred to permanent status Repetitive Work repeated at regular intervals (daily, transit, or letter checks) Permanent Permanent changes to configuration of the aircraft, engines, components, and appliances Retained permanently

Other Functions of QA QA may be responsible Currency of mechanic’s licenses Inspector's qualifications Inspector’s authorizations RIIs and conditional inspections Administrative control over the development and modification of the airline’s Technical Policies and Procedures Manual (TPPM)

Quality Assurance Introduction Requirement for Quality Assurance (QA) Quality Audits ISO 9000 Quality Standard Technical Records Other Functions of QA Summary

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