REQUIREMENTS FOR ISSUE / EXTENSION / RENEWAL OF SHOP APPROVALS AIRWORTHINESS NOTICE VERSION : 3.1 DATE OF IMPLEMENTATION : 29-04-2011 OFFICE OF PRIME INTEREST : AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTORATE 29/04/2011 AWNOT-025-AWEG-3.1
29/04/2011 AWNOT-025-AWEG-3.1
A. AUTHORITY: A1. This Airworthiness Notice has been issued under the authority vested in DG CAA vide rules 4 of Civil Aviation Rules 1994. B. PURPOSE: B1. This Airworthiness Notice prescribes requirements for issue, extension and renewal of Shop Approvals including NDT Certification. These requirements are in accordance with the standards laid down in ICAO Annex-1 (Personnel Licensing) to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. Mandatory clauses are invariably denoted by use of "shall" or "must" whereas "should" or "may" are used for permissive or recommended clauses. It is implicit in the requirements expressed qualitatively e.g. acceptable, that Civil Aviation Authority will be adjudicated in cases where doubt exists. C. SCOPE: C1 This Airworthiness Notice is applicable to all maintenance organizations related to aviation activities. D. DESCRIPTION: D1. DEFINITIONS: D1.1 SHOP - is defined as a setup which is part of an approved maintenance organization where PCAA does not issue AME license. Incase the organization does NOT have its own shop approval system; personal shop approvals will be issued by the Airworthiness Directorate (Refer latest version of ANO-001-AWXX). D1.2 APPROVED MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION - is defined as an organization which has been issued approval by PCAA under rule 25 for the purpose of maintenance of aircraft, engines and components. D1.3 MENTOR Shall be a senior level shop personal having aviation experience in similar scope of work or have obtained training by OEM / Vendor. D1.4 MENTEE Shall be the person who needs training (either theoretical or practical) to maintain a particular component. D2. ELIGIBILITY: D2.1 Acceptance of application for issue/extension of approval requires that the applicant:- D2.2 Shall not be less than 21 years of age. D2.3 Shall hold higher secondary school certificate with science subjects or equivalent qualification or equivalent technical certificate for issue of class I approval. D2.4 Shall provide evidence of acceptable experience and approved shop training course or as an alternate provide evidence of theoretical training by mentor relevant to his application (i.e. if course has not been developed). Note1: Organization may elect to follow the existing policy in force in their organization for issue of class II & III approvals. Note2: The complete procedures for providing training by the mentor are to be clearly defined in the Company Exposition Manual duly approved by PCAA. 29/04/2011 Page 1 of 6 AWNOT-025-AWEG-3.1
D3. REQUIREMENTS FOR ISSUE / EXTENSION / RENEWAL OF SHOP APPROVALS: D3.1 The applicant shall submit acceptable documentary evidence (ERB Refer latest version of Form CAAF-144-AWXX) to substantiate experience claimed. D3.2 The ERB shall show the applicant's experience that covers a representative selection of items appropriate to the category / type of equipment applied for. For initial issue, applicant s experience shall give details of practical aviation experience obtained during the last four years. Items and dates in the experience record should be confirmed by the supervising engineer and authenticated by Manager Engineering or equivalent concerned. D3.3 Four years shop experience requirement uniformly applies to initial issue of approvals in all sections / all trades which are defined as shops including development engineering section of the organization. This four years aviation experience requirement is minimum acceptable requirement and must be fully adhered to. In case of Graduate Engineer (Bachelor of Engineering) of relevant disciplines, total shop experience of THREE years will be acceptable. D3.4 In case of initial issue of approval, total practical aviation experience shall be hands on shop experience exclusively, whereas in case of extension, type experience shall be hands-on-shop experience exclusively, of category / type of equipment applied for. Person deputed in sections of shop other than where practical hand-on-shop experience is not gained (e.g. Planning Section, Quality Section etc.) shall not be permitted to apply for initial issue or extension of approval unless the person acquires hands-on-shop experience of category / type of equipment applied for. Manager Quality section of the shop shall ensure and issue a certificate of hands-on-shop experience, which is to be attached with shop approval exam application mentioning the time period for which applicant has gained practical hands on shop experience on the category / type of equipment applied for. D3.5 For applicant deputed in shops other than overhaul shops and where PCAA license system does not exist e.g. development engineering, shop etc., the experience gained in such type of shops will be acceptable to PCAA as hands-on-shop experience. However, they shall have to under go on-job-training of major checks for practical know-how during type experience for minimum of SIX months. They are required to submit practical experience of TEN full A check and TWO full C checks for initial issue and FIVE full A checks and ONE C check for extension on related aircraft / equipment in discipline and category applied for. D3.6 Practical aviation experience will be counted from the date mentioned in joining report of applicant (i.e. date of absorption after successful completion of apprenticeship training in case of apprentices) in the concerned shop of the organization. Applicant shall have to submit joining report / apprenticeship training certificate for aviation experience confirmation with application for issue of shop approval. Note - The experience gained during apprenticeship OJT shall not be counted towards practical aviation experience. D3.7 Recent type experience is counted from date of acquiring previous approval / rating to the date of application for current rating. There must be a gap of ONE year for extension of approval / rating from the date of acquiring previous approval / rating. D3.8 The applicant should have completed applicable PCAA approved course(s) from PCAA approved training centre i.e. Basic course from approved training centre or manufacturer or vendor as applicable and shop type course from approved training centre or manufacturer or vendor as applicable (Basic and shop type courses are not required for class III approvals). 29/04/2011 Page 2 of 6 AWNOT-025-AWEG-3.1
D3.9 PCAA approved course (Basic/Type) carried out by local or foreign training institutes shall be valid for 10 years, whereas the training carried out by the manufacture i.e. at the manufacturing facilities will be valid for 10 years, if applicant has not passed PCAA written paper. On the expiry of the course, the applicant will have to complete PCAA approved refresher course to validate his course for an addition period of maximum one year. D3.10 For class I approval the examination unit of the organization shall scrutinize the application and send one copy of application to Airworthiness field office along with list showing details pertaining to applicant s name, category and subcategory. The submission of application to Airworthiness field office shall form the basis for acceptance of the application for undertaking the basic examination conducted by PCAA. D3.11 For class II & III approval the examination unit of the organization shall scrutinize the application. The applicant shall be informed about acceptance or otherwise of his application and date of examination. In case of rejection of application, the applicant may file an appeal to Chief Engineer (QA or equivalent section). The copy of acceptance list shall be sent to PCAA. D3.12 The applicants in the regards MUST receive to the Examination Unit before the cut-off date of a particular session. No application should be accepted after the cut-off date. D3.13 Applicant shall be first examined in basic paper. Subsequent to passing the Basic paper applicant will appear in shop type paper by the examination unit of the organization, only if he passes the basic paper. D3.14 If an applicant fails in the shop type paper in three consecutive attempts then he will have to pass type course again. D3.15 Written type examination shall be conducted by Examination Unit of the organization at such time and place as notified by it under intimation to PCAA. D3.16 Pass marks for basic & shop type papers for issue of class I approval are 70% (Refer Annex K of AWNOT-35 percentage for details regarding refresher and full course). D3.17 Applicant shall appear for oral examination within two years of passing basic / shop type paper as appropriate. If he does not appear in the oral examination during this period he shall re-appear in type paper as appropriate. D3.18 PCAA will be notified regarding the formation of oral board for issue of class I approval, which shall comprise of Chief Engineer QA, Chief Engineer of the respective division along with Managerial level official of the respective shop as permanent members and a representative from Airworthiness Directorate as an observer. The Oral Examination Board shall evaluate the applicant s performance in Air legislation, basic subjects and shop type subjects and shall give their recommendations. D3.19 The venue and schedule of the oral examination will be intimated to the respective field office well in advance so that a representative from Airworthiness Directorate can be nominated to participate in the oral examination. D3.20 An applicant who fails in basic / shop type examination shall not be accepted for reexamination until additional experience has been obtained and/or further course of study have been undertaken. 29/04/2011 Page 3 of 6 AWNOT-025-AWEG-3.1
D3.21 On the recommendations of Oral Examination Board, Chief Engineer QA or equivalent shall issue / extend the shop approval or call for re-examination as considered necessary. D3.22 An applicant for re-oral exam will individually submit an application to CE (QA) or equivalent through examination unit of the organization alongwith the current work schedule relevant to the category applied. The application for re-oral examination must be submitted ONE month prior to the given date for re-oral exam. D3.23 If a candidate once disqualify in oral examination, he will only be allowed for second chance of oral exam after a minimum period of SIX MONTHS, in case oral board recommends for re-oral. D3.24 In case the applicant FAILS in the Third attempt, he shall have to undergo written examination for BASIC or TYPE or BOTH as the case may be as per recommendations of the oral board. D3.25 The weak points of the FAILED candidates are required to be mentioned in the ORAL RESULT SHEET. D3.26 After completion of oral examinations, a consolidated result will be announced with copies to HQ Airworthiness Directorate and respective field offices. D3.27 Training organization is required to develop all shop type courses relevant to issue of class I approval. Acceptance of work experience in lieu of shop type course should not be acceptable. Syllabi of all shop type courses developed may be submitted for approval by PCAA. D3.28 Maintenance organization shall develop and rationalize the number of class-i approvals issued. The class I approval issued in each section should be accordingly reduced as far as practical. The final evaluation, as such shall be submitted to PCAA for approval. D3.29 Examination unit of the maintenance organization in-coordination with the training organization and the relevant shop manager shall develop data bank of questions of type paper for class I regarding each approval. The data bank shall be up-dated every year under intimation to PCAA. Data bank shall not contain less than 300 multiple choice questions for each shop approval. D3.30 Course outline for class I basic paper is the same as per AWNOT-035-AWXX. D3.31 The applicant for class-i approval shall satisfy at the time of application for issue / renewal of approval that he/she does not suffer from any disability likely to affect his / her professional duties. This will be in accordance with the requirements as laid down in the ANO. Applicant shall have to submit a copy of the medical card with application for issue/renewal of approval. The same requirements for medical fitness stand applicable as are required for AME s. D3.32 If privileges of any of the approval held by the approval holder are not exercised during the preceding four years, the approval holder shall have to go through refresher course and one week OJT on the type of equipment, the privileges of which have not been exercised. This will be ensured by manager Quality Assurance or equivalent section of the shop and verified by Quality Control section or equivalent section of the maintenance organization at the time of renewal of approval. D3.33 Class I shop approvals will be renewed after every two years by Quality Control section or equivalent section of the maintenance organization. The renewal will be subject to exercising the privileges of the endorsements held by the approval holder and completion of refresher course as and when applicable. 29/04/2011 Page 4 of 6 AWNOT-025-AWEG-3.1
D3.34 For class I approval, type paper will comprise 60% multiple choice questions (minimum), each question carrying two marks and 40% subjective/descriptive questions (minimum), each question carrying two marks. D3.35 Maintenance organization shall develop the system for maintaining secrecy of the questions data bank. D3.36 No unscheduled exam shall be conducted without prior written approval from PCAA. Formal request shall be submitted to appropriate Airworthiness field office. D3.37 All transfers from shop to maintenance and vice versa as per company requirements will be notified to PCAA for the purpose of assessment of Maintenance experience / shop experience for issue of AME License / approval as and when required. D3.38 Shop approvals where system has been bypassed regarding course requirements / experience requirements and other applicable requirements as defined in this Airworthiness Notice, penal action may be initiated which may call for cancellation of the qualification obtained. D3.39 Willful submission of incorrect information pertaining to applicant s qualification and experience requirements is likely to debar the applicant from appearing in any examination by PCAA or maintenance organization for a period of one year / penal action as contained in CAR 1994. D4. REQUIREMENTS FOR ISSUE / EXTENSION / RENEWAL OF NDT APPROVALS: D4.1 Qualification of NDT personnel shall be based on International standard i.e. BS EN 4179 / ASNT Certification for Non Destructive Testing. D4.2 Qualification levels of NDT personnel shall be limited to: D4.2.1 Level 1 Operative (Technician / Officer Engineering) D4.2.2 Level 2 Supervisor (Aircraft Engineer) D4.3 Penetrant Testing (PT) shall be carried out or checked by Certifying Staff holding appropriate Non Destructive Testing (NDT) Approval. Chief Engineer (Quality Assurance) of PCAA approved organization shall approve detailed procedure of training, qualification and Authorization, based on European NDT Standard of EN 4179 / American ASNT Certification. D4.4 TRAINING REQUIREMENTS: D4.4.1 Candidates of Level 1 / 2 shall complete adequate training to become familiar with principles / practices of applicable test techniques and organizational procedures. Classroom training shall be provided by the organization, supplemented by practical training. NDT Personnel shall be trained for issuance of certification of Level 1 & Level 2. D4.4.2 Competence assessment of NDT Personnel shall be ensured to perform the specialized tasks. Such evaluation shall be made on the basis of a written examination and results shall be recorded. D4.4.3 Non Destructive Testing (NDT) shall be performed in accordance with documents e.g. Non Destructive Testing (NDT) Manuals, Standard Practices Manuals, Service Letters, etc. Personnel not performing Non Destructive Testing 29/04/2011 Page 5 of 6 AWNOT-025-AWEG-3.1
(NDT) for a continued period of more than six months must be re-qualified on that particular technique. Revalidation of NDT Authorization shall be based on assessment. Re-qualification shall be required every three years and validation of NDT Authorization shall be based on annual vision test. E. EVIDENCES (ACRONYMS / RECORDS / REFERENCES): E1. ACRONYMS: E1.1 AME Aircraft Maintenance Engineer E1.2 ASNT American Society of Non-destructive Testing E1.3 AWNOT Airworthiness Notice E1.4 BS British Standards E1.5 CAR Civil Aviation Rules E1.6 ERB Experience Record Book E1.7 ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization E1.8 NDT Non Destructive Testing E1.9 OJT On Job Training E1.10 PCAA Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority E1.11 PT Penetrant Testing E2. RECORDS: Nil E3. REFERENCES E3.1 BS EN 4179 IMPLEMENTATION: This Airworthiness Notice shall be implemented with effect from 29 th April, 2011 and repeals / cancels / supersedes AWNOT-025-AWXX-3.0 dated 10 th August, 2010. 29/04/2011 Page 6 of 6 AWNOT-025-AWEG-3.1