2.0 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
equipment manufacturer’s responsibility to make the necessary data available.
Equipment manufacturers should make reasonable effort to use, as much as
possible, standard MPP for the design and maintenance of their equipment.
Equipment manufacturers should avoid over-specifying requirements for
materials and processes.
COMMENTARY
Operators and repair shops require sufficient information for
materials and standard parts in order to select alternate
equivalents based on this information. Missing information on
material and standard parts specifications should be provided by
the equipment manufacturers on request. This is especially
essential in view of the obsolescence of material and parts
requiring rapid problem solutions, and in the case of conflicting
local environmental laws.
Parts obsolescence is impacting both equipment manufacturers
and repair shops continuously, and much time has been wasted in
clarification of equivalency issues on both sides. It would create a
win-win situation for both if the information for substitution would
be either part of the CMM IPL or be provided on request.
2.5 Repair Facilities
In general, repair stations and other maintenance facilities perform maintenance
activities directly for operators. Such maintenance is governed by the contracting
operators work orders and comes under that operator’s continuous airworthiness
maintenance program. Deviations from operators supplied maintenance data
must be approved by the operator prior to implementation. Upon request, the
maintenance facility should provide adequate documentation to satisfy the
equivalency requirements of the contracting operator’s continuous airworthiness
maintenance program.
In those instances where a repair facility is performing maintenance not covered
by an operator’s continuous airworthiness maintenance program, the repair
facility should follow the manufacturer’s documentation for that equipment. In the
event that the facility uses material, processes, and part substitutes, then it is the
repair facility’s responsibility to have in place, the necessary processes and
procedures to adequately document and demonstrate the equivalency of MPP
used as a substitution to the originals.
ARINC REPORT 670 – Page 5
3.0 DEFINITIONS OF MPP
3.0 Definitions of MPP
3.1 Introduction
This section provides a definition of MPP for the purpose of equivalency
evaluation.
3.2 Materials
Materials, as referred to in this document, are substances and products used in
the maintenance process of aircraft and parts. Materials are generally used as
supporting elements within the maintenance process. This typically includes:
• Adhesives
• Cleaning solutions
• Flux
• Lubricants
• Paints
• Sealants
For the purposes of this document, materials are categorized as:
• Category A – Those materials for which usage is mandatory. Use of
alternative materials affects configuration or safety. Airframe and
equipment manufacturers should avoid specifying this category of
materials. While standards or specifications are preferred, the
documentation should also specify suppliers and brand names where
possible.
• Category B – Those materials for which usage is recommended. Use of
alternative materials does not affect configuration or safety. These
materials are qualified to an industry standard or specification. These
materials may be procured from any source qualified by the maintenance
facility. The source documentation should include a generic description
and the standard or specification, including any special requirements or
limitations (e.g., environmental). In addition, the documentation should
also specify suppliers and brand names where possible.
• Category C – Those materials for which usage is recommended. Use of
alternative materials does not affect configuration or safety. These
materials are commonly available and for which a specification may not
exist. Any local alternative may be used by the maintenance facility. The
source documentation should include a generic description including any
special requirements or limitations (e.g., environmental). In addition, the
documentation should list at least one supplier and brand name where
possible.
3.3 Maintenance Processes
Maintenance processes, as referred to in this document, are a systematic series
of mechanical or chemical operations, inspections and tests used during the
maintenance of aircraft and parts. Maintenance processes are closely linked to
the materials used therein. This typically includes, but is not limited to:
• Cleaning Processes
• Soldering/Joining Processes
• Repair Processes
ARINC REPORT 670 – Page 6
3.0 DEFINITIONS OF MPP
• Heat Treatment Processes
• Plating Processes
• Surface Treatment
• Bonding Processes
• Sealing Processes
• Inspection and Test Processes
For the purposes of this document, maintenance processes are categorized as:
• Category A - Mandatory Processes - Processes that must be adhered to
in order to maintain the certification basis of the part. These processes
can either be proprietary or readily available. Use of alternative processes
will affect configuration or safety.
• Category B - Recommended Processes – Processes for which usage is
recommended. These processes are qualified to an industry standard,
specification or other method defined by the original equipment
manufacturer. Use of alternative processes does not affect configuration
or safety.
• Category C - General Processes - Processes not specified in the
Manufacturer's Service Document (MSD). Such processes often rely on
an industry standards or specifications (e.g., AMS specifications,
standard practices, general industry proven practices), and are based on
the materials/products in use (Section 3.2). Use of alternative processes
does not affect configuration or safety.
Wherever applicable, the airframe and equipment manufacturer should provide
reference to an industry standard or specification.