A large part of the aircraft lease agreement will, of course, focus on aircraft maintenance; it is important to know that the aircraft operates with a maintenance plan based on the current environment, utilization, and the airline’s reliability program.
This means that the maintenance plan currently being used might have adjusted intervals for some tasks or additional tasks, for example – during operation, this is normal and not a concern. Additionally, some repeatative tasks and items with limited life might be carried to heavy maintenance inputs – these are not an issue as long as they are controlled during operation.
The configuration of the aircraft can vary significantly depending on the operation. For example, you might have a full freighter or a full-passenger aircraft. As part of the mid-lease inspection, it means we have to collect some general documents related to specific configurations regarding the fleet we operate.
For the lease return, these will be rectified and addressed as required. Additionally, this information and data are used to market the aircraft midway through the lease and to have it ready for new customers at the end of the lease period.
Considering aircraft maintenance, we might look at some of the aircraft documentation related to maintenance, such as:
- Aircraft check maintenance history with copies of the certificate or release to service.
- The aircraft maintenance check packages detailing the works carried out.
- The current aircraft approved maintenance plan and a list of all tasks indicating the threshold commonly referred to as the last done and next due (LDND).
- Details for the Out-Of-Phase (OOP) maintenance; these are tasks that do not fall in line with the scheduled maintenance checks.
- Weight and balance records and if the aircraft has been painted – there should be supporting documentation also for this.
- We can also confirm the statement of fluids used (oil/hydraulics, etc.) and review the aircraft technical log and, if applicable, the cabin log books.
- Aircraft monthly and yearly utilization and aircraft log book – this allows us to know how the aircraft is being operated and its utilization over time, along with the airframe total flight hours and flight cycles.
- It can be worth noting the importance of the current Airworthiness Directive (AD) compliance status listing (airframe/appliance/gear). Remember that the engines installed might not be the title engines. Along with this, we also consider the Service Bulletin (SB) compliance status listing and any modifications and STC incorporation listing.
- The STC listing can be important as it might cause issues in the future if an STC is not approved in a certain area.
- Structural repair mapping can be a good topic for a review, and we can review this in comparison to the aircraft.
- We would also look at the current deferred items, watch items, and reduced inspections. The watch items and reduced inspections are of interest as they might not be compliant with lease return conditions.
- Layout of Passenger Arrangement (LOPA)
- Cabin emergency equipment layout (EEL)
- Cockpit emergency equipment list
- Loose equipment list that includes the galley equipment, carts, and inserts (LIL – Loose Item List)
- Passenger seat serial number list
- Life vest status and location record, not applicable if already provided in the Hard Time (HT) component listing – it might be located in two or more locations.
- Compass swing report – used to validate the standby compass and is mandated to carry on board.
- Cabin material flammability certificates – this is a very common issue, burn certificates, and samples.
- Manufacturer Delivery Documentation
Mid-lease inspections to verify aircraft modifications and capabilities often involve looking at the following items:
- ACARS - Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System - Confirm ACARS capability by reviewing FCOM (Flight Crew Ops Manual); if power is available, verify through MCDU (Multifunction Control Display Unit) by checking for datalink printer; annotate the P/N into your checklist and report.
- 8.33 Khz CHANNEL SPACING - With power available on the aircraft, check the graduation of frequencies on the tuning panel (i.e., whether 8.33 Khz or 25 Khz increments). If power is not available on the aircraft, obtain the part number of the VHF transceiver in the Avionics compartment and annotate it in your checklist.
- WQAR - Wireless Quick Access Recorder - Locate WQAR box in Avionics compartment; annotate the physical P/N in the checklist to confirm capability.
- TCAS – Traffic Collision Avoidance System - Obtain the physical P/N of the box in the avionics bay for configuration/capability.
- SSFDR (Solid State Flight Data Recorder) and SSCVR (Solid State Cockpit Voice Recorder) with 90-day ULB - Physically access the CVR access panel at the rear of the aircraft – annotate the physical P/N of the CVR. Mandatory mod aircraft operate in EASA jurisdiction (effective 16 June 2018). Physically access the FDR access panel at the rear of the aircraft – annotate the physical P/N of the FDR. Mandatory mod aircraft operate in EASA jurisdiction (effective 16 June 2018).
- CDSS - Cockpit Door Surveillance System - Locate cameras around entry door 1L and monitors in the cockpit.
- RVSM - Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum - Refer to MPD (Maintenance Planning Document) and AMM (Aircraft Maintenance Manual) applicable to the Aircraft to confirm compliance with RVSM requirements.
- ETOPS - Extended Operations - Refer to MMEL (Minimum Master Equipment List) to confirm ETOPS capability; scan these MMEL page(s). Note to record ETOPS capability in the inspection report.
- RNP – Required Navigation Performance Capability - Refer to Operations Spec, FCOM (Flight Crew Ops Manual), and AFM (Aircraft Flight Manual) to determine; scan pages from the FCOM and AFM and attach them to the inspection report.
In mid-lease inspections, the consultant should record the issue date and date of expiry of the following:
- Latest Certificate of Registration
- Latest Certificate of Airworthiness
- Latest Airworthiness Review Certificate
- Latest Aircraft Station License
- Latest Noise Certificate
- Latest Certificate of Insurance
- Latest Air Operator Certificate with approval of navigation, RVSM, Autoland, ETOPS, RNP, etc.
It is also recommended to check the following:
- Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Programme plus MPD versus Maintenance Schedule Cross Reference List
- Latest TSN/CSN/TSO/CSO of airframe, engine, APU, and landing gear
- Flight and technical log (2 years)
- Historical C check status including TSN/CSN, release date, MRO
- Airframe AD status - methods of compliance, status, accomplished date, and TSN/CSN, reason for "Not Applicable"
- Airframe SB status - methods of compliance, status, accomplished date, and TSN/CSN
- Local EO status - methods of compliance, status, accomplished date, and TSN/CSN
- STC status list - FAA/EASA approval letter, MDL, supplemental manual, and supporting document
- Hard Time status list - MPD reference, requirement, interval, last done, and remaining life
- OC/CM fitted component status - TSN, CSN, install date
- Avionics components status - ATA Chapter 22, 23, 27, 28, 31, 34, 45, 46 with location, nomenclature, PN, SN, vendor name
- Dent and Buckle (structure repair & damage list, mapping, supporting document)
- Statement - Non-Incident Statement, (if applicable)
- Statement - Neither Non-OEM Part nor Non-OEM approved repair part fitted
- Major repair status
- Non-SRM repair status
- Latest Weighing Report and inventory checklist
- Latest software loading list
- C check work package
