AIRFRAME TECHNOLOGY
stored electronically or in physical
files; with a standardized method of
completion for a variety of conditions.
And everybody these days uses it. It's
almost currency.
Will SMS have an impact?
Safety management systems (SMS)
will eventually get around to making us all reexamine our outsourcing
policies and processes. In doing so,
operators will have to understand
more than Part 145 compliance
aspects. In choosing an MRO, each
operator should make the effort to
evaluate the interface between it and
its new partner. The decision to use or
pass on outsourced maintenance will
have to be based on the compatibility
of the MRO's production system with
its own production and compliance
goals as an aspect of SMS evaluation.
For example, if an MRO has
invested heavily in lean processes
to produce internal efficiencies, the
operator's quality organization can
impose un-optimized processes
undermining the MRO's lean implementation. This can affect both parties' quality and production expectations. The operator must be prepared
to address these issues in comparison
to its own internal requirements.
Their assessment can allow adjustments to meet its program requirements but align it to take advantage
of the MRO's improvement efforts.
Another tool that can define and
refine the relationship between operators and MRO is the airworthiness
agreement. While business contracts
define the invoice, the airworthiness
agreement defines the compliance
state of the aircraft in the context of a
conversation between the MRO and
air carrier maintenance organizations. Defining the processes and
certification standards that take into
account the repair stations needs creates more predictability in the project
outcome and improves communication.
In assessing the MRO, the air carrier in the 21st century can no longer
rely on repair station compliance
audits as a means to judge the probable outcome of an aircraft heavy
check project. Some assistance from
the regulator in creating work record
standardization would allow the
industry to design an interface that
would bring commonality to production management. In moving to
the SMS environment carriers now
need to assess their own processes
effects on vendors when engaged in
outsourcing. By defining the interface
between themselves and the MRO
they will be able to address and standardize processes and controls. In
doing so, they create a relationship
with their repair station partners that
can promote a high level of quality
and repeatability in aircraft deliveries. AMT
We're very big
on small parts.
Long known as the industry leader in PMA carbon brushes,
we have expanded our market and product offerings to include
our new line of PMA bearings and other products for a variety
of aircraft motor applications. We work closely with our
customers to identify potential replacement part needs and
have the ability to move quickly on a range
of new products from design to PMA.
345 Rt. 17, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604
201-288-8877 • Fax: 201-288-7356 • email: mirajcorp@aol.com • www.mirajcorp.com
PMA DESIGN, MANUFACTURE AND SALES.
AviationPros.com/company/10134654
AviationPros.com/company/10133734
www.AMTSociety.org • www.AviationPros.com • Aircraft Maintenance Technology
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