Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) www.sassofia.com considers Typical Abbreviations & Terms used within an EASA Maintenance Planning Environment.
AD Airworthiness Directive: An Airworthiness Directive (AD) is a legally enforceable regulation issued by aviation authorities (like EASA or FAA) to address a safety issue identified in an aircraft, engine, propeller, or appliance. It mandates inspections, repairs, or modifications to ensure continued safety and airworthiness.
ALI Airworthiness Limitation Item: An Airworthiness Limitation Item (ALI) is raised by the Type Certificate Holder – TCH or Design Approval Holder (DAH), usually as a part of the initial System Safety Assessment (SSA). A part or system of the aircraft that has a specified inspection or replacement interval to ensure ongoing airworthiness. These items are critical to the safety of the aircraft and must be monitored and maintained according to strict schedules. (Example Landing Gear – Life Limited)
AMC Acceptable Means of Compliance: Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) identifies one way, but not the only way, to comply with regulatory requirements. They help ensure standardization and understanding of how to meet safety regulations.
AMO Approved Maintenance Organisation: An Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) is a company or entity approved by aviation authorities to perform maintenance on aircraft and components.
AMTOSS Aircraft Maintenance Task Oriented Support System: The Aircraft Maintenance Task Oriented Support System (AMTOSS) is a numbering system that generates reference numbers for maintenance tasks. It helps organize and cross-reference maintenance activities between the Maintenance Review.
ALAR As low as reasonably practicable: This principle is applied to risk management in aviation, aiming to reduce risks to the lowest level reasonably achievable, considering the costs, time, and resources available.
ALOS Acceptable level of safety: An Acceptable Level of Safety (ALOS) is a target or standard of safety performance that must be achieved and maintained. It defines the minimum safety performance indicators required for aviation operations.
AOC Air Operator Certificate: An Air Operator Certificate (AOC) is a certification granted by aviation authorities that allows an airline or aircraft operator to carry out specific commercial air transport operations. It confirms that the operator has the necessary personnel, assets, and systems to ensure safe operations.
AMP Approved Maintenance Programme: An Approved Maintenance Programme (AMP) is a detailed plan for aircraft maintenance approved by aviation authorities. It outlines the specific maintenance tasks and intervals required to ensure the aircraft’s airworthiness.
ARC Airworthiness Review Certificate: An Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC) is issued by aviation authorities or an approved organization after an aircraft has undergone a thorough review and has been found to meet all airworthiness requirements. (Documentation & Physical)
Block Checks are Groups of Maintenance Tasks Packaged together under specific circumstances. Block checks refer to a grouping of maintenance tasks packaged together and performed during a single maintenance visit. This approach streamlines maintenance activities and minimizes aircraft downtime.
CA Competent Authority (CAA NAA Regulator): The Competent Authority (CA) is the national aviation authority responsible for regulating and overseeing aviation safety within a country. Examples include the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the National Aviation Authority (NAA).
Check An examination (e.g., an inspection or test) to determine an item’s physical integrity and/or functional capability. – DVI – GVI – SI:
A check is an examination process used to assess an aircraft component or system’s physical condition and functional capability. Different types of checks include:
- DVI (Detailed Visual Inspection): A thorough visual inspection using adequate lighting and, if necessary, magnification.
- GVI (General Visual Inspection): A visual inspection to detect apparent damage or discrepancies.
- SI (Special Inspection): An inspection focusing on specific components or areas, often using specialized techniques or equipment.
CAW Continuing Airworthiness: Continuing Airworthiness refers to ensuring an aircraft remains airworthy throughout its operational life. This involves regular inspections, maintenance, and compliance with airworthiness directives and regulations.
CAME Continuing Airworthiness Management Exposition: The Continuing Airworthiness Management Exposition (CAME) is a document that outlines the procedures and processes an organization will follow to manage the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft under its control. It includes details on the organization, maintenance program, and compliance procedures.
CAMO Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation: A Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO) is an entity approved by aviation authorities to manage an aircraft’s continuing airworthiness. CAMOs are responsible for ensuring that maintenance is performed according to the approved maintenance program and regulations.
Cluster: A collection of Maintenance Items grouped under specific circumstances. In aircraft maintenance, a cluster refers to a group of maintenance tasks packaged together during a specific maintenance visit. This approach helps optimize the maintenance schedule and minimize aircraft downtime.
CAT Commercial Air Transport: Commercial Air Transport (CAT) involves operating aircraft to transport passengers, cargo, or mail for remuneration or hire.
CDCCL Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations: Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCL) are specific design features and configuration requirements that must be maintained to ensure the continued safety of the aircraft. (CDCCL are features and do not have compliance in Hours / Cycles /Calendar)
CDL Configuration Deviation List: The Configuration Deviation List (CDL) is a list of equipment and components that are permitted to be missing for a limited period without affecting the aircraft’s airworthiness. The CDL specifies the conditions under which the aircraft can continue to operate.
CRS Certificate of Release to Service: A Certificate of Release to Service (CRS) is a document issued by an authorized maintenance organization or personnel certifying that the aircraft or component has been inspected or repaired following regulatory requirements and is safe for operation.
Equalized checks refer to the practice of organizing maintenance tasks into smaller packages that require similar ground time. They are groups of maintenance tasks arranged into many small packages, all having approximately the same ground time.
- This approach spreads maintenance tasks more evenly over time, reducing the length of any single maintenance visit and improving aircraft availability.
FTS Fuel Tank Safety: Fuel Tank Safety (FTS) refers to the procedures, design features, and maintenance practices aimed at preventing ignition sources within fuel tanks.
- This includes ensuring proper ventilation, eliminating potential sources of sparks, and monitoring for contamination or deterioration that could pose a safety risk.
MEL Minimum Equipment List: The Minimum Equipment List (MEL) is a document approved by aviation authorities that outlines which aircraft systems and components can be inoperative for an aircraft to be still considered airworthy for flight.
- It specifies the conditions under which the aircraft can operate with specific inoperative equipment.
MPD Maintenance Planning Document: The Maintenance Planning Document (MPD) provides detailed information about the scheduled maintenance tasks required for an aircraft. It includes the frequency and scope of inspections, servicing, and overhauls to ensure continued airworthiness.
MRB Maintenance Review Board: The Maintenance Review Board (MRB) is a group of representatives from aviation authorities, aircraft manufacturers, and operators who establish and approve the initial maintenance program for a new aircraft model. (Based on MSG 3 Rules)
Maintenance Check: A group of maintenance tasks that share the same maintenance interval, as defined in the AMP: A Maintenance Check refers to a set of maintenance tasks that are scheduled to be performed at the same time based on their maintenance intervals as defined in the Approved Maintenance Programme (AMP).
Maintenance Demand: The total amount of man-hours required to perform all maintenance work due on an aircraft: This includes inspections, repairs, replacements, and modifications required to maintain the aircraft’s airworthiness.
Maintenance Slot: A specified amount within which an aircraft is withdrawn from operations for maintenance.
- This planned downtime allows for necessary inspections, repairs, and servicing without disrupting the operational schedule.
Maintenance Task Unit task as defined in the MPD: A Maintenance Task refers to an individual maintenance activity specified in the Maintenance Planning Document (MPD).
- Each task is a discrete action, such as an inspection, test, or replacement, required to ensure the aircraft’s airworthiness.
Maintenance Task Package: A group of tasks with the same set-up activities and a typical maintenance interval.
- A Maintenance Task Package includes multiple tasks grouped because they share similar set-up requirements and are scheduled to be performed at the same intervals.
Maintenance Window: A specified period when the aircraft is not utilized is sufficient for executing maintenance.
- This window ensures that maintenance activities can be conducted without affecting flight schedules.
Maintenance Work Package: A collection of tasks prepared for execution on the work floor. It includes all the necessary instructions, tools, parts, and documentation for the maintenance personnel to perform the tasks efficiently and correctly.
NPA Notice of Proposed Amendment: A formal document issued by aviation regulatory authorities, such as EASA or FAA, to propose changes to existing regulations or introduce new ones.
- It allows stakeholders to review and comment on the proposed changes before they are finalized.
QA Quality Assurance: An independent audit process conducted by the Compliance / Quality department to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and internal standards.
- QA involves systematic activities to verify that quality standards are met and maintained.
- Ensuring Compliance with all External Standards (typically Regulatory) and Internal – Organisation Processes & Procedures
QC Quality Control: An integral part of the production and maintenance process. It involves regular inspections and testing to ensure products and services meet specified quality criteria. Stores Inspection, which checks incoming materials and components for conformity, is an example of a QC activity.
QMS Quality Management System: Encompasses all Quality Control and Quality Assurance activities within an organization.
- It is a structured system of procedures and processes that ensures consistent quality in products and services and continuous improvement in performance.
SA Safety Assurance: Involves identifying and assessing hazards, considering associated risks, and developing mitigations to reduce those risks to acceptable levels.
- It ensures that safety measures are effectively implemented and maintained throughout the organization.
SMS Safety Management System: SMS is a comprehensive framework for managing safety risks in aviation operations.
- It includes policies, procedures, and practices for hazard identification, risk assessment, safety assurance, and continuous performance improvement.
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SAS blogs, Air Operator Certificate (AOC), Airworthiness Directive (AD), Maintenance Planning Document “MPD”., Continuing Airworthiness (CAW), Aviation Safety Regulations, EASA Maintenance Planning Environment, Airworthiness Limitation Item (ALI), Aircraft Maintenance Terms, Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO), Maintenance Review Board (MRB)
