Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) www.sassofia.com considers the primary activities which are performed within an Aviation MCC
Introduction
Aircraft out of service for whatever reason can financially burden an organisation. A business process that is able to manage and support in detail the specific elements which ensure availability & safety will be a significant positive for the wellbeing of the organisation.
Staff who work in the Maintenance Control Centre environment are exposed to many elements of the regulatory process.
The typical role of a Maintenance Control Centre in a medium organisation is to manage the in-service activities of the aircraft – MCC light (MCC light little involvement in Work packages).
MCC heavy manages the oversight of the maintenance and many options in between for example – work package assignment to maintenance, repair and overhaul organisations (MROs) and aircraft on ground (AOG) spares supply.
Again multiple solutions are based on the organisations constraints.
In a smaller organisation MCC is often integrated into the full CAMO management process.
Maintenance Control Centre interfaces with Operations Control Centre to ensure the maximum availability of aircraft and to minimise maintenance downtime (Considerations relate to the optimization of the maintenance program to meet the organisations needs MSG3 is a task-based program and offers significant flexibility).
The Maintenance Control Centre (MCC) is often an extension of the Operators Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO).
Organizational Structure
Multiple possibilities concerning the layout and functionality of the Maintenance Control Centre (MCC) are possible depending on the organisations size, scope and objective are possible. To work as an independent unit or integrated within the CAMO Basic Functionality. (Note: Basic Functionality is Planning – Engineering – Reliability – Technical Records).
MCC sits between the Operators – Operations Control Centre (OCC) and The Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO).
The Maintenance Control Centre usually works side by side with:
- The Operation Control Centre (OCC)
- Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO) Production Planning
- CAMO Maintenance Planning
- CAMO Reliability
- CAMO Engineering
- CAMO Technical Records
- Type Certificate Holders (TCH)
- Original Equipment Manufactures (OEM)
- Vendors, Subcontractors & Service Providers
MCC Part M Liaison Functions
- Developing Documentation – CAMO / Quality Manual / SMS Manual / Maintenance Contract and Interface Procedures
- Reliability – Ensuring optimum & effective maintenance
- Technical Engineering Understanding Part 21 Subpart G & J functions (Technical Management of Major Mods (STC) Mods & Repairs) – PMA / EPA – TSO & ETSO
- Technical Records – Control and retention of Continuing Airworthiness Records – Management of Recurrent tasks (last done – next due)
- Maintenance Planning – Management of Routine and Continuing Airworthiness Tasks (CAW) – Management of Maintenance Due
MCC Part 145 Liaison functions
Part 145
- Interface with the AMO to ensure oversight of the maintenance In Accordance With (IAW) EASA part M requirements.
- Control of Critical Maintenance Tasks.
- The Operator has a specific responsibility to ensure regulatory compliance of all elements required to ensure the ongoing compliance and effectiveness of the maintenance product.
Main Responsibilities of an MCC
a) Responding to
- Immediate – Aircraft on Ground (AOG)
- Short Term Maintenance Requirements (Daily – Weekly & Bi-Weekly Checks)
- Medium Term Maintenance needs (A Checks)
- Long Term (C Checks)
Note: That often the medium and long-term maintenance is controlled directly by the Maintenance Planning Group.
b) Maintenance Program and AD Oversight
- Oversight of all maintenance due requirements to ensure the fleet remains fully compliant
c) Assessment of Deferred Maintenance Items
- Ensure all maintenance remains in compliance with MEL limitation’s
d) Aircraft Condition Monitoring
- Continuous Monitoring of Reliability Data to Identify Repetitive Defects
e) Maintenance Planning, Layover Coordination
- Ensuring completion of short-term maintenance
- Perform Out of Phase Maintenance
- Trouble Shooting & Defect Rectification
f) Prioritization of Maintenance Activities & assignment of resources and manpower
g) Trouble Shooting Support
h) Maintenance & MEL Dispatch Control
i) Work (package) assignment to AMO’s
j) Aircraft Changes Co-ordinated with OCC
- Ensure effective optimized for maintenance decisions for schedule changes to resolve conflicts between maintenance and daily operations schedule.
k) Aircraft On the Ground (AOG)
MCC departments often run 24 hours a day 7 days a week with the goal of
- Ensuring safe and serviceable aircraft
- Availability of aircraft to meet the schedule
- During AOG’s to co-ordinate all necessary activities to expedite the return of the aircraft to service
- Ensure on-time repair solutions for AOG maintenance by expediting all material and parts requirements
l) Outstation Co-ordination and Support
Managing the Training & Competence of MCC Staff – Conducting a training needs analysis
Usually, MCC Staff work for the operators and are connected to the CAMO group.
Managing Competence in Aviation Maintenance and Maintenance Management is essential to the safe operation of the organisation.
An essential element of competence is appropriate training together with a core skill set with the support of effective organisation process and procedures.
Next Steps
Sofema Aviation Services offers a 3-day classroom or webinar training related to the development of a Maintenance Control Centre – please see the following course: Developing an Aviation Maintenance Control Centre – 3 Days
Tags:
EASA Part 21 Subpart G, Part 21 Subpart G, Maintenance Control Centre (MCC), Operations Control Centre (OCC), Aviation Maintenance Control Centre, Aviation MCC, Continuing Airworthiness Records, Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO), Continuing Airworthiness (CA), Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO), SAS blogs, Aircraft Maintenance, Aviation SMS, Aircraft Technical Records, Part 21, MSG3, Part 145, MRO, EASA Part M, CAMO, AOG, Aircraft Maintenance Planning
