Aircraft Maintenance Technician Fundamentals for Pilots (Strand 8)

Airworthiness

Means an aircraft conforms to its approved type design and is in a condition for safe operation.

Owner/operator responsibilities

Include maintaining the aircraft in an airworthy condition, ensuring required inspections are performed, and keeping required records.

PIC responsibility

Involves determining the aircraft is safe for flight before operating it and discontinuing a flight if unairworthy conditions develop.

Performing maintenance

Involves turning wrenches, replacing parts, adjusting systems.

Approving for return to service

Legal sign-off that the maintenance work was properly completed.

Preventive maintenance

Limited tasks that may be performed by a pilot who owns or operates the aircraft, as permitted by regulation.

Part 43

Covers what counts as maintenance/alteration, who may do it, and how it must be recorded.

Part 91

Operating rules, including many must be inspected/tested by X interval requirements.

Part 39

Covers Airworthiness Directives (ADs) which are legally enforceable corrective actions.

Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

Legally enforceable rules issued by the FAA to correct unsafe conditions in products.

Airworthiness as a two-part test

Includes conformity to approved type design and safe operation.

Maintenance records

Serve purposes like showing recurring problems, legality, troubleshooting, and clarifying liability.

Approved data

Technical data required for major repairs and alterations that is legally acceptable.

Logbook entries

Should include what was done, when done, who did it, and a return to service statement.

Discrepancies (squawks)

Reports of defects that should include conditions, frequency, changes, and indications.

Annual inspection

A comprehensive inspection required at least every 12 calendar months for most civil aircraft.

100-hour inspection

Required for aircraft used to carry persons for hire or flight instruction for hire.

Progressive inspection

An approved program that breaks the inspection into phases.

Airworthiness Directives compliance

tracked using a dedicated log or binder, logbook entries, or maintenance tracking software.

Minimum Equipment List (MEL)

An approved document that defines the items that may be inoperative for flight under specific conditions.

Configuration Deviation List (CDL)

Addresses missing external parts and defines aerodynamic/operational limits.

Safety wire

A method of securing fasteners to prevent them from loosening.

Torque

A controlled clamping force that is critical for proper installation of aerospace fasteners.

Foreign Object Damage (FOD)

Damage caused by debris that can be ingested or struck by aircraft systems.

Corrosion prevention

Involves keeping surfaces clean and dry, maintaining protective coatings, and managing dissimilar metal contact.

Minor repair

Does not appreciably affect weight, balance, structural strength, performance, or other qualities affecting airworthiness.

Major repair

Generally affects one or more qualities impacting airworthiness and requires approved data.

Troubleshooting process

A structured approach to diagnosing issues by confirming symptoms, checking systems, and narrowing down causes.

Operational checks

Required after maintenance to ensure systems operate correctly and safely.

Return to service

A formal declaration that the aircraft is in a condition for safe operation after maintenance.

Human factors

Contributors to maintenance errors, including fatigue, distractions, and poor communication.

Quality assurance (QA)

Programs that add layers of verification and confirmation to maintenance practices.

Discrepancy reporting

Clear reporting of issues by pilots to assist technicians in troubleshooting and resolving problems.

Safetying methods

Techniques like safety wire and cotter pins used to ensure fasteners remain secure.

Electrical system maintenance

Involves ensuring secure, corrosion-free connections and proper circuit protection.

Fuel system maintenance

Focuses on contamination control, correct venting, leak prevention, and operation of selectors and pumps.

Maintenance log book

Contains records of work done on an aircraft to monitor airworthiness compliance.

Parts traceability

The ability to track maintenance actions, approvals, and data sources for aircraft components.

Inspection Authorization (IA)

A special certification that allows a mechanic to conduct certain inspections and approve for return to service.

Pilot in Command (PIC)

Responsible for the safety of the flight and ensuring the aircraft is airworthy.

Technical data

Information required for performing maintenance or alterations correctly.

Airframe systems

Include flight controls, landing gear, electrical, and fuel systems that require regular maintenance.

Structural integrity

The ability of an aircraft component to withstand the loads it faces during operation.

Complacency

A human factor that can lead to maintenance errors due to overconfidence.

Maintenance communication

The interaction between pilots and technicians to clarify flight issues and maintenance needs.

Distraction

A common human factor contributing to errors in aviation maintenance.

Exceeding torque limits

Can lead to damage, failure, or safety issues in aircraft hardware.

Minor alterations

Changes to an aircraft that do not significantly affect its performance or compliance.