VOLUME 1. AIR OPERATOR ADMINISTRATION
Chapter 5. Operations Specifications
(Airworthiness)
1.1. BACKGROUND.
Within the air transportation industry there is a need to establish and administer safety standards to accommodate many variables, including: a wide variety of aircraft; a wide range of operator capabilities; the various situations requiring different types of air transportation; and the continual, rapid changes in aviation technology. It is impractical to address these variables through the promulgation of safety regulations for each and every type of air transport situation and the varying degrees of operator capabilities. Also it is impractical to address the rapidly changing aviation technology and environment through the regulatory process. Safety regulations would be extremely complex and unwieldy if all possible variations and situations were addressed by regulation. Instead, the safety standards established by regulation should usually have a broad application which allows varying acceptable methods of compliance. Operations Specifications provide an effective method for establishing safety standards which address a wide range of variables. In addition, Operations Specifications can be adapted to a specific operator's class and size of aircraft and type and kind of operation. Operations Specifications can be tailored to suit an individual operator's needs. Only those authorizations, limitations, standards, and procedures that are applicable to an operator need to be included.
Operations Specifications are issued along with the AOC and amended as necessary to reflect the current fleet and operating environment of the airline. Amendments to the Operating Specifications serve as variances to the AOC.
The operator must make the content of his Operations Specifications available to all company personnel. To that end, they should be included in appropriate sections of his Operations and Maintenance manuals.
1.2. CONTENT OF OPERATIONS SPECIFICATIONS.
Operations Specifications are broken down into several parts as follows:
Part A - Describes general operating conditions and lists the make and model of the aircraft which the operator is approved to operate along with the maximum seating capacity if those aircraft. This part also contains any other general authorizations or limitations not covered in other parts.
Part A is normally a joint operations and Airworthiness responsibility
Part B - Describes en-route authorizations and limitations including a description of the types of route segments which may be used, adherence to instrument flight rules, and operations at aerodromes without control towers
Part B is the responsibility of the Operations Section of the AAAA and is not included in this manual. Airworthiness inspectors have no input to Part B.
Part C - Describes aerodrome authorizations and limitations including the types of approach procedures which the operator is approved to conduct, standard takeoff minima, and minima for circling and straight in approaches. This part also lists all aerodromes to which the carrier is approved to operate.
Part C is the responsibility of the Operations Section of the AAAA and is not included in this manual. Airworthiness inspectors have no input to Part C.
Part D - Aircraft Maintenance (paragraphs D71 through D95).
(a) Required paragraphs D71, D72, and D85 contain maintenance and inspection program requirements and must be issued to each certificate holder, as required.
1-5-10
14/07/99
(b) Special authorizations and limitations paragraphs D75 through D84, D86, D87, D88, D89, and D95 provide special authorizations and limitations which may be approved for a particular certificate holder. Operations inspectors have no input to Part D. Airworthiness Inspectors are primarily responsible for preparing and approving the paragraphs in PartD.
Part E - Weight and Balance. Paragraph E96 shall be issued to certificate holders using approved weight and balance control procedures.
Airworthiness inspectors are primarily responsible for preparing and approving Part E. Part E must be carefully coordinated with Operations inspectors.
Part F - This part is optional. It specifies the authorized interchange of aircraft between the operator and other operators; the type of equipment is specified; the crews to be utilized; the routes and aerodromes to be used; the operations manual and aircraft operating manual to be utilized (i.e., which operator's manual); and applicable aerodrome (or heliport) operating minima. and will contain specific information on any authorized wet-lease arrangements which the operator has entered into.
Completion and issuance of Part F is the responsibility of the Operations organization
Part G - This part is also optional. It specifies the parties to the agreement and the duration thereof; the type of lease (i.e., wet or dry); in the case where two operators are involved, the operator responsible for operational control; the routes, area of operation and aerodromes (or heliports) involved; the type and registration numbers of the aircraft involved; the party responsible for maintenance; and reference to States' approval letter/order of the lease.
Completion and issuance of Part G is the responsibility of the Operations organization
1.3. SPECIFIC PROCEDURES FOR THE ISSUANCE OF OPERATIONS SPECIFICATIONS
The text of standard Maintenance Specifications, Part D and E is at the end of this chapter. Parts F and G will be issued if appropriate to the operation. The following is a brief description of the considerations which must go into preparing each part.
Part A. Paragraphs 1 through 3 of Part A are standard and will not be modified. The make, model, and maximum passenger seating capacity will be entered under paragraph 4, based upon the number of seats for which the operator has performed successful ditching and emergency evacuation demonstrations for each type.
Part B. Paragraph 1 is standard. The names and locations of any aerodromes where the operator is authorized to use a flight information service unit in lieu of operator air/ground communications are listed at the end of the standard text in paragraph 2.
Part C. Paragraph 1 is standard. The types of approaches which the operator is approved to conduct, based the equipment installed in each airplane type and model of airplane and upon the types of approaches for which crew members train as part of the operator's approved training programme, must be listed in paragraph 2a. Standard paragraphs 2b through 2e describe takeoff minima and minima for circling, non-precision, and precision approaches. All of the aerodromes to which the airline is approved to operate (regular, alternate, and refueling), must be listed in paragraph 3. Airports which the operator is specifically prohibited to operate under any circumstances except in an emergency may also be listed in paragraph 3.
1-5-10
14/07/99
Part D.
A. Paragraph D71 - ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
This paragraph applies to all certificate holders maintaining light aircraft, including aircraft subject to an Approved Aircraft Inspection Program (AAIP). It identifies the manufacturer’s maintenance program and/or the approved operator developed maintenance program.
NOTE: Supporting documents, i.e. Service Bulletins, may be listed in Paragraph D71.
B. Paragraph D72 - AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
This paragraph applies to aircraft subject to Continuous Airworthiness maintenance Program. It contains the conditions that must be met for a certificate holder to operate its aircraft under the terms of its operations specifications.
C. Paragraph D73 -APPROVED AIRCRAFT INSPECTION PROGRAM
This paragraph identifies aircraft subject to an Approved Aircraft Inspection Program.
D. Paragraph D74 - RELIABILITY PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION: ENTIRE AIRCRAFT.
This paragraph authorizes the use of a maintenance reliability program that contains standards for determining maintenance intervals and processes. This program controls the inspection, check, and overhaul times for the entire aircraft and is the sole control as far as operations specifications are concerned. Each make/model/series of aircraft controlled by reliability and its approved reliability document shall be identified on this operations specifications. The level of detail in specifying the series of aircraft should match the detail of the operator’s program.
NOTE: The Airworthiness Inspectors do not control the time limitations
but will control the procedures of the program.
1) The time limitations for overhaul, inspections, and checks shall be contained in one of the following:
Certificate holder’s manual
Maintenance specification document
Any other document approved by the Director
2) These time limitations must not exceed the manufacturer’s retirement times, Type Certificate limitations, or Airworthiness Directive limitations.
NOTE: Operators authorized Paragraph D74 must not be issued Paragraph D88.
E. Paragraph D75 - RELIABILITY PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION: AIRFRAME, POWERPLANT, SYSTEMS, OR SELECTED ITEMS (Partial Reliability Program)
This paragraph authorizes the use of a maintenance reliability program containing the standards for determining maintenance intervals and processes. The program controls the inspection, check, and overhaul time for airframe, powerplant, systems, or individually selected items within a system (e.g., hydraulic system, pumps, valves, actuators, etc.) and must be identified on the operation specifications.
1) Airframe, powerplant, systems, or items controlled by reliability shall be identified in the Maintenance Time Limitations Section by an asterisk or other identifier, and
note.
2) If preferred, a certificate holder may reference in its maintenance Time Limitations Section a document approved by the Director . The referenced document shall contain at least that information required by the Maintenance Time Limitations Section.
F. Paragraph D76 - SHORT TERM ESCALATION AUTHORIZATION
This paragraph authorizes a certificate holder to use short-term escalation procedures with aircraft, powerplants, systems, or appliances/components. not authorized short-term escalation through a reliability program.
G. Paragraph D77 - MAINTENANCE CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT AUTHORIZATION FOR AN ENTIRE AIRCRAFT
This paragraph authorizes a certificate holder to use a contractor’s approved maintenance program for the maintenance program for the maintenance of its entire aircraft, including participation in the contractor’s reliability program.
H. Paragraph D78 - MAINTENANCE CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT AUTHORIZATION FOR SPECIFIC MAINTENANCE
This paragraph authorizes a certificate holder to arrange with one or more contractors for specific maintenance functions using the contractor’s approved maintenance program.
I. Paragraph D79 - RELIABILITY PROGRAM CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENT AUTHORIZATION
This paragraph authorizes a certificate holder to participate in another certificate holder’s (contractor’s) approved reliability program for its aircraft or engines. The certificate holder’s aircraft or engines may be included in the contractor’s fleet for the purpose of this program.
NOTE: Operators authorized for Paragraph D79 will be automatically issued Paragraph D88.
J. Paragraph D80 - LEASED AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION: LOCALLY REGISTERED AIRCRAFT
This authorization allows a certificate holder (lessee) to use a lessor’s approved maintenance program for the leased aircraft.
1) Paragraph D80 applies only to leases of aircraft that are intended to be returned to the lessor at a time specified in the lease agreement. This arrangement allows the lessor to retain compatibility of the aircraft with other aircraft remaining in its possession.
2) This paragraph is designed for entities of one or more lessors and aircraft.
K. Paragraph D81 - PARTS POOL AGREEMENT AUTHORIZATION
Under the provisions of (Quote national regulation), this paragraph may be approved for a certificate holder desiring to enter into a parts pooling agreement with foreign air carriers or agencies whose employees do not hold national maintenance licences/authorities.
L. Paragraph D82 - PRORATED TIME AUTHORIZATION.
This paragraph authorizes a certificate holder to use aircraft for which inspection and overhaul times have been established using the proration process.
(1) Paragraph D82 is essential for proper time accountability and transfer of the time if the aircraft is sold to another certificate holder.
M. Paragraph D83 - PARTS BORROWING AUTHORIZATION.
This paragraph authorizes a certificate holder, nominal and reasonable relief from its approved overhaul time limits when borrowing parts from another certificate holder.
N. Paragraph D84 - SPECIAL FLIGHT PERMIT WITH CONTINUOUS AUTHORIZATION TO CONDUCT FERRY FLIGHTS.
This paragraph authorizes a certificate holder, whose aircraft are maintained under a Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program, to issue a special flight permit with continuing authorization to conduct ferry flights. This permit can only be issued under the guidelines as set forth in (Quote national regulation).
O. Paragraph D85 - AIRCRAFT LISTING.
Certificate holders with aircraft under a Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program, including domestic, international, commuter, and charter operations are required to list all such aircraft. See D85 Aircraft Listing.
(1) The aircraft may be listed in Paragraph D85 or in a current listing attached to the operations specifications. The aircraft listing shall include at least the following information:
· Type of aircraft by make, model, and series (Douglas DC8-73, Douglas DC10-30, Boeing 737-200, etc.)
· Registration number
· Serial number
(2) Identify any aircraft used under an interchange agreement with an asterisk(*) or other identifier, with a note to reference Operations Specification.
(3) Identify commuter aircraft with a double asterisk or other identifier and a note identifying aircraft inspected in accordance with a maintenance program.
(4) The statement ‘This list supersedes any previous lists’, or a similarly worded statement, must be included in the document.
P. Paragraph D86 - MAINTENANCE PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION FOR TWO ENGINE AIRPLANES USED IN EXTENDED RANGE OPERATION.
This paragraph authorizes a certificate holder to use certain approved aircraft for use in extended range operations. Principal Airworthiness Inspectors must be familiar with operations data and shall coordinate with Principal Operations Inspectors before approving paragraph D86.
Q. Paragraph D87 - MAINTENANCE PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION FOR LEASED FOREIGN REGISTERED AIRCRAFT OPERATED BY (insert country name) AIR CARRIERS.
This paragraph authorizes a certificate holder to maintain leased, foreign registered aircraft by adopting the foreign air carrier’s maintenance program as its own.
(1) Inspectors shall fully evaluate each certificate holder’s proposed foreign maintenance program to be used for its leased, foreign registered aircraft before approving this paragraph.
(2) Each revision to an adopted foreign air carrier’s maintenance program shall be approved on an individual basis by amending paragraph D87 to reflect the new revision number and date.
NOTE: Identification of the maintenance cannot be the manufacturer’s program.
R. Paragraph D88 - MAINTENANCE TIME/LIMITATIONS.
This paragraph authorizes a certificate holder requiring a maintenance time limitations section, because of partial reliability program, to use a separate approved document or approved section in the certificate holder’s manual. The manual must contain that same information as required by Appendix A, of this chapter. This option is provided by paragraph Ops spec D72(c).
(1) The referenced document or manual chapter must be approved by the Director and must have procedures for effecting revisions and revision control acceptable to the Principal Airworthiness Inspector.