GM2 21L.A.9(a) Instructions for continued airworthiness

DETERMINATION OF WHICH SUPPLIER DATA IS PART OF THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR CONTINUED AIRWORTHINESS (ICAs)

Note 1: For the purposes of this GM, the term ‘supplier data’ also applies to similar types of data when issued directly by the DAH or declarant (e.g. component maintenance manuals (CMMs) issued by the DAH or declarant).

Note 2: For the purposes of this GM, the term ‘supplier data’ should be understood as data coming from the supplier and related to either a full CMM or to part of a CMM.

Note 3: The link between the aircraft ICAs and the engine/propeller CMM, as detailed below, is similar to the link between engine/propeller ICAs and the CMM of equipment fitted to the engine/propeller.

Note 4: If the supplier is also the DAH (for instance, an engine or propeller manufacturer), then the ICAs for these items will be made available by virtue of the DAH obligations as type-certificate holder (TCH) and need not be included in the aircraft ICAs.

Note 5: If the supplier is an engine or propeller manufacturer, then the ICAs for these items will be made available by virtue of the DAH obligations as type-certificate holder (TCH) and need not be included in the aircraft ICAs. If the supplier is an engine or propeller manufacturer that is not the TCH due to the aircraft TC or declaration of design compliance also including the compliance of the engine or propeller, then the supply of ICAs from the engine or propeller manufacturer will need to be subject to a suitable arrangement.

(a) When determining whether a supplier data is part of the ICAs, the following should be considered:

(1) Supplier data related to the Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS) of the ICAs is part of the ICAs.

(2) Supplier data related to instructions on how to accomplish the scheduled maintenance part of the aircraft ICAs are part of the aircraft ICAs. A typical case is the periodical removal of a component to perform a workshop task.

(3) Supplier data related to scheduled maintenance on the component should be endorsed by the DAH or declarant before becoming part of the aircraft ICAs, to define and confirm that the supplier data is applicable and effective.

(4) If the ICAs are defined at aircraft level, the following principles apply to the other supplier data that is not related to the ALS nor to scheduled maintenance:

(i) If the supplier data includes a maintenance instruction for an action identified in the aircraft-level ICAs, including an engine or propeller, this supplier data should be referenced in the aircraft-level ICAs and should be made available like any other ICAs.

As an alternative to linking such supplier data to the aircraft-level ICAs (e.g. with cross references), it is possible to include the relevant data directly into the aircraft ICAs. In such a case, the supplier data is not part of the aircraft ICAs since the aircraft ICAs already contain all the required information.

(ii) If an aircraft ICAs’ task only requires a replacement task for an engine, propeller or part (i.e. ‘remove and replace’ or ‘discard’) and does not refer to the supplier data for further maintenance of the removed engine, propeller or part, this means that the aircraft airworthiness may only be maintained by replacement action, and that the supplier data is not part of the ICAs for the particular aircraft. In such cases, the supplier data does not need to be referenced in the aircraft ICAs.

Example: If supplier data provides off-aircraft maintenance instructions for an engine, propeller, or other article (i.e. workshop maintenance), then this data may not be considered as part of the complete set of the ICAs for the aircraft, but may be considered as part of the complete set of the ICAs for the engine or propeller. However, the procedure for removal from / installation on the aircraft is necessarily part of the aircraft ICAs.

(b) However, for the above cases, aircraft-level ICAs can provide, as additional or optional maintenance information, the references to the supplier data even if it is not considered part of the ICAs. In such cases, it should be made clear that the supplier data references are provided as additional or optional maintenance information and is not part of the product ICAs. Besides, it should be ensured that the use of additional or optional maintenance information not considered as ICAs but referenced together with the ICAs will not compromise the continued airworthiness of the product or article.

(c) For the supplier data identified as part of the ICAs, the DAH or declarant should:

(1) identify the supplier data that is part of the ICAs; this can be achieved either by creating a listing or by any other acceptable means that allow to identify which data is part of the ICAs and which data is not part of the ICAs (refer to AMC1 21L.A.9(b));

(2) just as for any other ICAs, ensure the publication of the supplier data;

(3) ensure the accuracy and the adequacy of the technical content of the supplier data.