Free Aviation Safety Newsletter

What is the Purpose of our Policy Manual?

This is a two part article describing the purpose of the Maintenance Policy.

The purpose of the Maintenance Policy Manual (MPM) is, it is intended to show the means by which your company, and the personnel operating for the company, meets the regulatory requirements laid down in the Civil Aviation Rules relating to Aircraft Maintenance and the Control of Maintenance. The MPM can be a section in the Management and Policy Manual. The contents of the MPM can include how the fleet of aircraft are to be maintained and the policy regarding the control and scheduling of fleet maintenance.

The following shows what should be included in the MPM.

• A general description of the organisations facilities.
• The names and responsibilities of the Senior Members of Staff.
• A procedure on how the competence of staff is determined.
• A procedure to describe the method used to complete and retain maintenance records.
• A procedure for preparing and signing a maintenance release for an aircraft or component.
• A list of the personnel who are authorised to sign a release to service.
• Procedures for aircraft over 5700kg or more than 10 passenger seats including information on faults, malfunctions or any other occurrences which might cause adverse effects on the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft. Certain faults must be reported to the Regulatory Authority, these faults are normally listed in the relevant advisory circular.
• Procedures for the control and distribution of all relevant airworthiness data which may require other documentation to be amended.

Part two of this article will describe the responsibilities of management, a comprehensive description of other technical procedures, where applicable line maintenance procedures, Quality System procedures and examples of standard documents.

Peter Ashford

References:
ICAO Document 9760 Chap7

What is the Purpose of our Policy Manual? Part #2

Other requirements that should be considered for your Policy Manual start with Senior Management.

The manual should contain the following:

Management

• A statement signed by the CEO confirming that the manual contains the organisations procedures that must be complied with at all times and a list of Senior Persons and their responsibilities.
• An organisation chart showing the chains of command of the nominated senior persons.
• A procedure for notifying the regulatory authority regarding any changes to the organisations activities/approvals, location or personnel.
• Contractual arrangements with other organisations who provide services associated with the approvals.
• Procedures for the control and amendment of the manual.
• Procedures for compliance with an operators aircraft maintenance programme.
• Procedure for recording and complying with airworthiness directives and service bulletins.
• Operational modification procedure.
• Technical record control.
• Procedures for handling defects arising during Maintenance.
• Issue of a maintenance release.
• Reporting of defects and occurrences.
• Control of defective components sent to outside contractors.
• Control of computer maintenance record systems.

Maintenance Procedures

The following procedures should be included in the manual however, the size of your organisation can determine how much is required to comply with the regulatory requirements.

• Supplier evaluation
• Acceptance of aircraft components and material from outside contractors.
• Storage, labelling and release of components and materials to aircraft maintenance.
• Control and calibration of tools and equipment.
• Tool control for Maintenance Staff.
• The ability of the facilities to maintain the standards required to perform Maintenance.
• Procedures for compliance with an operators aircraft maintenance programme.
• Procedure for recording and complying with airworthiness directives and service bulletins.
• Operational modification procedure.
• Technical record control.
• Procedures for handling defects arising during Maintenance.
• Issue of a maintenance release.
• Reporting of defects and occurrences.
• Control of defective components sent to outside contractors.
• Control of computer maintenance record systems.

Peter Ashford

References:
ICAO Document 9760 Chap7