The introduction of the new maintenance suite of regulations, Parts 42, 66, 145 and 147 was a most significant event in Australian aviation. The adoption by CASA of an outcome based approach to aviation safety, brought flexibility to how maintenance organisations may achieve regulatory compliance. The document describing how this is done is the Maintenance Organisation’s Exposition.
Aero Compliance has helped a range of clients become a Part 145 Approved Maintenance Organisations (AMO), with the preparation of the Exposition and related documentation and compliance training. Moving to Part 145 is an opportunity to review and improve existing maintenance systems and procedures that your organisation has in place. When undertaking this process the following hints may be useful:
- The Exposition describes how your maintenance business operates, and a well written Exposition can be a powerful marketing tool.
- Maintenance organisations will likely have much of what Part 145 requires, such as documentation control and quality audits for example. So the transition may be less complicated than expected. The most notable change would be the addition of a Safety Management System
- Outsourcing the preparation of Part 145 documents is best done with the close involvement of someone from within the organization, facilitating the process by taking advantage of that valuable knowledge.
- Simplicity in language and procedures will help employees, management and auditors, both internal and external.
- A scaled approach to employee training consistent with their role, will result in efficient implementation at all levels. Management in particular have a responsibility to be conversant with procedural changes and to mentor their staff.