Module 10.7 — Continuing airworthiness: Part-M, Part-ML, Part-CAMO, Part-CAO and the AMP

Scope and level

10.7 is level 2 for all categories and is one of the two heaviest Module 10 topics. Know the responsibilities, the maintenance programme, records, components, defects, CRS and the airworthiness review/ARC.

Part 21 requirements on continuing airworthiness

The design side supports continuing airworthiness:

• TC/STC holders must provide instructions for continuing airworthiness (ICA) — maintenance manuals, airworthiness limitations, SRM — and keep them up to date.
• Design and production holders must have a system to collect, investigate and analyse failures, malfunctions and defects and report occurrences to EASA.
• When an unsafe condition is found, EASA issues an airworthiness directive; the TC holder proposes corrective action and provides data.

Part-M — responsibilities (M.A.201)

• The owner is responsible for continuing airworthiness and must ensure no flight takes place unless: the aircraft is airworthy; operational and emergency equipment is serviceable or clearly identified as unserviceable; the airworthiness certificate is valid; maintenance follows the approved AMP.
• If leased, responsibility passes to the lessee if stated on the registration document or the lease contract.
• Anyone performing maintenance is responsible for the tasks performed.
• The pilot-in-command (or the operator for air carriers) is responsible for the pre-flight inspection, which need not be done by certifying staff.
• For licensed air carriers the operator is responsible and must hold CAMO approval as part of its AOC and use a Part-145 organisation (own approval or contract).
• For complex motor-powered aircraft, continuing-airworthiness management must be contracted to a CAMO.

Continuing airworthiness tasks (M.A.301)

Pre-flight inspections; rectification of defects and damage; maintenance per the AMP; analysis of AMP effectiveness (where required); compliance with ADs and authority-mandated measures; modifications and repairs per M.A.304; non-mandatory modifications policy; maintenance check flights when necessary.