1. Aviation Maintenance Management
Quality Control
Chapter 18

2. Quality Control Introduction Quality Control Organization
FAA and JAA Differences
QC Inspector Qualifications
Basic Inspection Policies
Inspection stamp, Continuity of Inspection, Countermand of Inspector’s decisions, Buyback policy, Inspection of one’s own work, Completion of work
Other QC Activities
Nondestructive test and inspection, Calibration of tools and test equipment, Special reports to the regulatory authority, Required inspection items
Summary

3. Introduction Quality Control (QC)
Looks specifically at maintenance practices and the actual conduct of the maintenance work.
They are also responsible for special inspections and calibration of tools and test equipment.

4. Introduction The inspection function of an airline consists in part:
Inspections during routine maintenance
General visual, checking and rechecking of own work, and “second pair of eyes”
Conditional Inspection
Bird strikes, hard landings, lightning strikes, flights through heavy turbulence, dragging of wing tips or engine pods
Nondestructive test and inspections (NDT/NDI)

5. Quality Control Organization
Full-time and Part-time Inspectors
“Dedicated Inspectors”
Work for QC or QA not work center
“Delegated Inspectors”
Work center specific only
Four Functions
Aircraft, shop, materiel, and testing and calibration
Hangar or on line; support and overhaul; incoming and outgoing components; NDT/NDI and test equipment and special tools (i.e. torque wrenches) – valid cal stickers – show last date cal and next due date

6. FAA & JAA Differences
Joint Aviation Authority (JAA) is not a regulatory authority
Airlines own country has final say
EU is to establish European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to regulate EU aviation
No separate QC and QA department
Certified and trained mechanic can inspect own work if NOT safety or airworthiness
Does not have free run – requirements the same just terminology and titles different

7. QC Inspector Qualifications
Valid mechanic’s license, 2 years experience
Formal training on systems and equipment to be inspected
Knowledge of airline and regulatory rules and procedures
QC inspector course
Duties and responsibilities in inspection procedures and techniques
Corrosion – detection and control
Nondestructive test and inspection if required for duties
Airlines must keep record of authorized inspectors
Status – dedicated or designated, items authorized
Records must be available to regulatory personnel

8. Basic Inspection Policies
Use of Inspector stamp
Numbered and controlled
Continuity of inspections between work shifts
Some require same inspector other allow cross crew inspectors
Countermand of inspectors decision
Only can be overridden by manager of QC, director of Maintenance Program Evaluation (pg. 180) or VP of M& E – responsibility now shifts to the airline not the inspector
Re-inspection of rejected work
Once item rejected must be re-inspected
Inspection of one’s own work
If second person required – can NOT do own work
Completion of work
Work is not done until inspected and approved

9. Other QC Activities Non destructive test and inspection
Calibration of tools and test equipment
Special reports to the regulatory authority
Required Inspection Items

10. Quality Control Introduction Quality Control Organization
FAA and JAA Differences
QC Inspector Qualifications
Basic Inspection Policies
Inspection stamp, Continuity of Inspection, Countermand of Inspector’s decisions, Buyback policy, Inspection of one’s own work, Completion of work
Other QC Activities
Nondestructive test and inspection, Calibration of tools and test equipment, Special reports to the regulatory authority, Required inspection items
Summary

11. Questions?