Aviation Maintenance Aviation Maintenance ManagementManagement

Aviation Maintenance Aviation Maintenance ManagementManagement

Quality ControlChapter 18

Quality ControlQuality ControlQuality ControlQuality Control

Introduction Quality Control Organization FAA and JAA Differences QC Inspector Qualifications Basic Inspection Policies

Inspection stamp, Continuity of Inspection, Countermand of Inspector’s decisions, Buyback policy, Inspection of one’s own work, Completion of work

Other QC Activities Nondestructive test and inspection, Calibration of tools

and test equipment, Special reports to the regulatory authority, Required inspection items

Summary

IntroductionIntroductionIntroductionIntroduction

Quality Control (QC) Looks specifically at maintenance practices and

the actual conduct of the maintenance work. They are also responsible for special

inspections and calibration of tools and test equipment.

IntroductionIntroductionIntroductionIntroduction

The inspection function of an airline consists in part:

Inspections during routine maintenance General visual, checking and rechecking of

own work, and “second pair of eyes” Conditional Inspection

Bird strikes, hard landings, lightning strikes, flights through heavy turbulence, dragging of wing tips or engine pods

Nondestructive test and inspections (NDT/NDI)

Quality Control OrganizationQuality Control OrganizationQuality Control OrganizationQuality Control Organization

Full-time and Part-time Inspectors “Dedicated Inspectors”

Work for QC or QA not work center “Delegated Inspectors”

Work center specific only Four Functions

Aircraft, shop, materiel, and testing and calibration Hangar or on line; support and overhaul; incoming and

outgoing components; NDT/NDI and test equipment and special tools (i.e. torque wrenches) – valid cal stickers – show last date cal and next due date

FAA & JAA DifferencesFAA & JAA DifferencesFAA & JAA DifferencesFAA & JAA Differences

Joint Aviation Authority (JAA) is not a regulatory authority

Airlines own country has final say EU is to establish European Aviation Safety

Agency (EASA) to regulate EU aviation No separate QC and QA department Certified and trained mechanic can inspect

own work if NOT safety or airworthiness Does not have free run – requirements the

same just terminology and titles different

QC Inspector QualificationsQC Inspector QualificationsQC Inspector QualificationsQC Inspector Qualifications Valid mechanic’s license, 2 years experience Formal training on systems and equipment to be

inspected Knowledge of airline and regulatory rules and

procedures QC inspector course

Duties and responsibilities in inspection procedures and techniques

Corrosion – detection and control Nondestructive test and inspection if required for duties

Airlines must keep record of authorized inspectors Status – dedicated or designated, items authorized Records must be available to regulatory personnel

Basic Inspection PoliciesBasic Inspection PoliciesBasic Inspection PoliciesBasic Inspection Policies Use of Inspector stamp

Numbered and controlled Continuity of inspections between work shifts

Some require same inspector other allow cross crew inspectors

Countermand of inspectors decision Only can be overridden by manager of QC, director of

Maintenance Program Evaluation (pg. 180) or VP of M& E – responsibility now shifts to the airline not the inspector

Re-inspection of rejected work Once item rejected must be re-inspected

Inspection of one’s own work If second person required – can NOT do own work

Completion of work Work is not done until inspected and approved

Other QC ActivitiesOther QC ActivitiesOther QC ActivitiesOther QC Activities

Non destructive test and inspection Calibration of tools and test equipment Special reports to the regulatory authority Required Inspection Items

Quality ControlQuality ControlQuality ControlQuality Control

Introduction Quality Control Organization FAA and JAA Differences QC Inspector Qualifications Basic Inspection Policies

Inspection stamp, Continuity of Inspection, Countermand of Inspector’s decisions, Buyback policy, Inspection of one’s own work, Completion of work

Other QC Activities Nondestructive test and inspection, Calibration of tools

and test equipment, Special reports to the regulatory authority, Required inspection items

Summary

Questions?Questions?Questions?Questions?