Investing in Excellence

Something we should be doing right now in business aviation maintenance which would both increase the average A&P’s earnings, and boost their professional image; is to change the way we create, record, and maintain the critically important maintenance history and airworthiness of the aircraft we operate.

We all know that aircraft maintenance is an essential component to aviation safety. And it is the certified and uncertified technicians that do this work day-in and day-out that are really the industry’s unsung heroes. But the recordkeeping practices in use today are treated as a proverbial “red-haired-stepchild” by the aircraft maintenance community. Recording and managing aircraft records are considered to be inconvenient at best, and annoying at worse. No wonder they don’t get the attention they should.

It’s a crime that we work on modern, 21^st century aircraft, outfitted with high-tech, advanced avionics; quiet, fuel-efficient engines; and computer-generated guidance and instrumentation; yet continue to treat the vitally important aircraft records as if we were stuck in the 1950s. This condition of stagnation, of course, makes for a very poor reflection on both the A&P and the aircraft maintenance industry as a whole.

Since it is the licensed A&P mechanics that create the logbook entries required by Part 43, and maintain the aircraft’s records over the course of the aircraft’s lifetime; it’s really up to us, the aircraft maintenance industry itself, to make the changes needed to propel aircraft records and recordkeeping into the 21^st century. Aircraft records should fit harmoniously with the sophisticated aircraft we operate.

Properly dcumenting, updating, and maintaining records accurately, and in an efficient and orderly manner, is key to:

•   eliminating errors
•   omitting information, and
•   reflecting the quality product that is expected when using skilled professionals.

To enable A&P mechanics to excel in aircraft records management, one practice crucial to incorporate into the AMTs continuing education is a comprehensive aircraft records educational program. This curriculum should cover key areas such as:

• Documentation Requirements: properly educating A&Ps and maintenance personnel on the various documents that comprise aircraft records today, including: creating and managing CFR Part 43 documentation; administrating Airworthiness Directives and Service Bulletins; using 337 Forms and 8130-3 Airworthiness Tags, etc. This education should promote understanding these documents thoroughly and completely, instead of the many different interpretations (right or wrong) and opinions we possess of them today.
• Record Keeping Practices: teaching best practices for maintaining accurate and organized records; emphasizing the importance of attention to detail, of being meticulous, and utilizing standardized procedures are important lessons everyone needs to learn.
• Regulatory Compliance: providing in depth knowledge of relevant regulations such as the Federal Aviation Regulations (Title 14 CFRs) and even International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. Every AMT should be well versed in the requirements of record retention, record accessibility, and aircraft record inspections.
•  Electronic Recordkeeping Systems (a 21^st century mandate/obligation): familiarizing AMTs with modern recordkeeping systems such as aircraft maintenance software, maintenance tracking, and electronic recordkeeping. Training should focus on using these systems; entering data accurately, capitalizing on efficiency, and employing electronic data’s retention and search capabilities to streamline recordkeeping processes at every turn.

We can, and must, act now to begin the long-time-in-arriving practice of incorporating enhanced education of aircraft records into the everyday training and continuing education of A&P mechanics and aircraft maintenance personnel in general.

To do so will yield substantial benefits to the business aviation industry by strengthening and reinforcing maintenance’s knowledge and administration of aircraft records; unlock higher earning potential for the average A&P mechanic, contribute more to aircraft safety and compliance, and will ultimately cultivate a more professional image of the aircraft maintenance professional within the aviation industry itself.

The time to start on such programs is now. The sooner we start including this educational practice into the structured routine of aircraft maintenance, the sooner we will begin to see the results we need to see. And, we will never regret that we took the time and energy to make this happen!