Frequently asked questions

The appointment must be made in writing by the quality manager of the organisation, which is prior to the start of the OJT. There must also be a signature of “received” by the data subject (evaluator or supervisor) in order to justify that he is aware of his or her role. There is no established format for such appointments.

A B1 can perform transponder check tasks, as long as: 

• Use automated testing equipment (which does not require previous calibrations)
• Test results are GO/NO GO 
• Be trained in the use of such equipment.

There is no limitation in the standard or in the EASA guides that prevent a certifier from performing critical tasks in its first year.  
However, the organisation may add additional requirements in its maintenance organisation manual.

A) Preflight inspection vs “preflight” interval maintenance inspection
Some TCH (usually helicopters) include in the maintenance documentation inspections with interval “preflight” or “before the first flight-BFF”. The content of these inspections is usually similar to the content of the pre-flight inspection included in the aircraft flight manual (AFM). The criterion to be applied in order to register its completion is:

In cases where the maintenance documentation (SMM, AMM, etc.) and the flight manual (AFM) include identical tasks, it is considered acceptable for the pilot to carry out inspections under the operation umbrella (signing the pre-flight inspection section) without having to perform a Maintenance “Release”. Normally this will not happen, as there are usually modifications incorporated into the aircraft that include pre-flight inspections linked to the Maintenance Manual.

B) Pilot-certifiers in approved line stations
Here are some criteria on how to deal with pilot-certifiers when certifying tasks in approved line stations (lines included in the MOE):

• There needs to be a Part 66 certifier assigned to the line.
• The availability of the Part 66 certifier to attend the facilities should be clearly identified in the production plan when necessary.
• The pilot-certifier can only certify simple tasks (mainly ALF, BFF, TA) to perform tasks according to 145.A.30 j) 4) since the certifier is not full time in the installation (at the moment the installation would be treated as “not supported”)

The following link to the EASA website  is included as an additional reference.

RESPUESTA DE EASA

The following aspects to be taken in consideration:

• it is possible to release component maintenance on an internal release document (IRD) when this component will be installed on an aircraft by the same maintenance organisation (145.A.50(d));
• The CAMO/operator of the aircraft should be in agreement; and 
• all the information normally required for an EASA Form 1 should be adequately detailed in the IRD (and in MOE procedure). In this case the IRD is considered to be equivalent to an EASA Form 1 for 145.A.42 purpose

The process of transferring one license to another authority is as follows:

1. The holder of a licence issued by AESA intending to transfer his licence to an authority other than that which issued the first licence (AESA), shall request the transfer of his licence to the new authority.

2. It must be the Authority of that country that contacts the Spanish Authority through an official request for transfer, via email.

3. A “licensing verification” format is required. Once completed by the SLFTM, it will be sent to this Authority via email.

4. The email indicates that until the original License is received in the Spanish Authority, the complete file will not be sent. Such License must be submitted either by the applicant or the Authority by registered mail.

5. Upon receipt of the Original LMA License, the applicant’s entire file will be sent, via email, to the Authority of the country to which the license is intended to be transferred.

6. The process is closed when the Authority of that country sends a letter indicating that the process has been completed by issuing the new AML. At that time, the Spanish License is revoked.

According to point 66.A.30(e) and its relevant AMC, aircraft maintenance experience obtained outside a civil aircraft maintenance environment shall be accepted, where such experience is equivalent to that required by this Annex (Part-66) established by the competent authority. However, additional experience in civil aircraft maintenance will be required to ensure adequate knowledge of the civil aircraft maintenance environment. This experience shall be for category A at least 6 months and for categories B1, B2 and B3 of 12 months.

Training can be provided in English as long as staff and documentation are prepared for it.