[Peetwo]

AMROBA latest newsletter -   : Volume 14 Issue 5 May — 2017


Via the AMROBA website:

1. Aircraft “Inspection” – By Who and to What Standards?

Is it time that the aviation regulatory system identified “aircraft inspection” separately from other maintenance actions as it is done in the FARs? CASA’s ageing aircraft concerns raised this as a major issue and various condition reports that AMROBA is aware of, and we know CASA also sees these reports, is clearly identifying a worsening trend instead of an improvement.

If we have a worsening trend then we have the wrong regulatory environment that is not ensuring airworthiness standards and practices are being applied at the coal face. Everyone has complained about skills & training since the introduction of CASR Part 66 but no corrective reaction yet from CASA. Does this mean that CASA believes the regulatory environment is not the “causal” problem?

The Civil Aviation Act (20AB (2)) clearly states that a person must be permitted by or under the regulations to do maintenance. Who is permitted to do aircraft inspections? What skills/qualifications should they have? We are aware of aircraft registered operators “authorising” persons that are not licenced and do not have AME trade qualifications to work on VH registered type certificated aircraft.

2. Cable Inspection AD Review

Many operators have changed their flight control cables so they won’t be happy with CASA if it cancels/amends the AD that should never have been published. AMROBA Newsletter Vol. 11, Issue 3, (March 2014) available on the website, raised the approved cable inspection maintenance standard that should be applied in GA. As FAA AC 43-13-1 states, cable tensions need to be relieved to perform inspections correctly.

This means every annual inspection maintenance records would require ‘independent’ inspections to rig and functional check flight control systems that had been inspected. As pointed out in the 2014 Newsletter, CASA’s “standard” specified in CAAP 43B-1 still has not been “harmonised” with international standards so why do CASA expect things to change?

Extending the life of cables past a manufacturer/regulator “recommended” replacement time, places the responsibility on the inspector LAME to determine, in the same manner as extending engines or any other component with a “recommended maintenance/overhaul” period, to be safe to proceed beyond the recommended period. Is it wise to make such decisions?

3. Aerospace and Aviation working together

Both the aerospace and aviation industry are working together identifying the skills needs for the future. There is a common concern that the skills need to improve to provide a workforce for the future. It is clear that too much has been placed on the past and not will be the future. Australia should be a powerhouse in the India/Asia/Pacific Region providing aerospace and aviation higher education and vocational training to all in this region.

However, both the aerospace and aviation industries are concerned that the education capability within this country is not taking advantage of the growth within the Indo/Asia/Pacific Region. Aircraft, and many components, require the same hand skills in maintenance and manufacturing but both sectors have identified the lack of skills that are an outcome of the national vocational education training system. Training must return to being based on the minimum international standards. It is interesting to note in the ICAO AME Training Manual that it states: “the standard of training recommended in this manual is intended to be sufficient for an individual to qualify for a licence”.

Typical informative, choccy frog quality, newsletter from true blue industry advocate KC -  

Also from the MRO/LAME/AME sector of the industry an excellent report from MROnetwork captured by thorny on Snippets thread:

   MIAT College Of Technology
Aircraft maintenance may face some regulatory challenges in 2017, especially from the EU.

MRO Regulatory Challenges Anticipated In 2017
Aircraft maintenance may face some regulatory challenges in 2017, especially from the EU.
Henry Canaday | Dec 23, 2016

 


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