Airworthiness Notice - B033, Edition 1 - 30 April 1996
Maintenance Requirements for the Issuance of Extended Charter
and Points Abroad Operational Authority
Introduction
The purpose of this notice is to provide air carriers, which are engaged or may
engage in foreign or extended charter operations, with the maintenance related
requirements for these operations.
Background
Extended charter operations involve the charter of a Canadian commercial aircraft to a
Canadian or foreign air carrier for a specified period.
This is done to supplement the fleet of the air carrier that is
chartering the aircraft. Under this
arrangement, the aircraft operates on behalf of another Canadian or foreign air
carrier under a charter or extended charter agreement.
Extended charters are not recognized as leases in Canada.
Transfer of custody and control of an aircraft operating an extended
charter is not permitted. During
the extended charter, the operation and maintenance of the aircraft must comply
with all aspects of the Canadian air carrier's operating certificate (OC) and
maintenance control manual (MCM).
At present there are two types of extended charter operations: 21 days or less, and greater than 21 days.
Operational approval to permit extended charters of 21 days or less is
issued in the form of a "Points Abroad" designation in Part IV of the
operating certificate. For periods
greater than 21 days, an "Extended Charter Operations
Specification" must be issued. In
either case, the aircraft used in this operation must be maintained in
accordance with the conditions specified in the air carrier's approved MCM and
maintenance specifications.
The use of Canadian commercial aircraft on extended charter operations has not
significantly increased over the years; however, "first time"
operators in this area may not be fully aware of their maintenance
responsibilities.
Maintenance Requirements
To permit air carriers which are seeking "Points Abroad" authority the
maintenance flexibility to respond to short notice requests for the use of their
aircraft, the MCM must be amended prior
to the issuance of the operating certificate to include sufficient policy and
procedures to cover aircraft maintenance for any three week or less charter
period. Similarly, prior to the issuance of an extended charter operations
specification, the MCM must be amended to address maintenance requirements over
the longer term. As a minimum, the
MCM must include information on the following:
- Location of maintenance facilities, personnel, spare parts and
publications;
- Minimum equipment list (MEL) compliance handling procedures, including
submission of a copy or reference to the MEL that will be utilized and any
required changes with respect to the intended operation;
- Flight permit authorizations, e.g. validation procedures must be
addressed for use of the aircraft in foreign airspace;
- Changes and/or use of contract maintenance facilities;
- Additional air carrier maintenance coordinator responsibilities; and
- Communications needed to transmit maintenance information for record
keeping or monitoring purposes.
Note: The above items apply to both points abroad and extended charter
operations. The MCM must include
policy and procedures with sufficient detail to account for either type of
operation. This list of items
should not be considered all inclusive and may include other items as
appropriate.
In addition:
- The Canadian air carrier must identify the approved maintenance schedule
along with any proposed amendments as a result of the intended operation; and
- The agreement must clearly specify that the Canadian air carrier retains
airworthiness control and responsibility for the aircraft.
The foregoing must be evaluated to determine if any changes are required to the
aircraft maintenance schedule, location of maintenance facilities, personnel,
etc. prior to commencement of the operation.
Air carriers whose maintenance is performed under contract, or subcontract, must
ensure that the contract maintenance organization(s) is capable of supporting
and has accepted these added maintenance responsibilities. Appropriate amendments to the maintenance contract and
contractor's MCM will be needed as outlined above.
The need for early notification between the air carrier and the responsible
Transport Canada airworthiness office cannot be over-emphasized. The extent of the changes needed in the MCM to address this
type of operation will be assessed on an individual basis and each air carrier
is encouraged to consult with Transport Canada Airworthiness Branch on specific
issues.
Surveillance and Cost Recovery
Once the points abroad procedure has been approved in the MCM, the air carrier shall
advise the responsible Transport Canada airworthiness office within 48 hours of
each use.
Prior to the issuance of an extended charter operations specification and in addition
to the foregoing, a base inspection of the foreign facilities will be conducted
by Transport Canada airworthiness inspectors.
The inspection may also include discussions with the foreign
airworthiness authority regarding compliance with any special airworthiness or
maintenance conditions required by either Transport Canada or the foreign
authority prior to approving the arrangement.
The Canadian air carrier must agree to reimburse the department for travel,
accommodation and other expenses incurred by the Minister for the approval and
continuing surveillance of short or long term extended charter operations.
The air carrier must also obtain written authorization from the civil
aviation authority of the chartering air carrier for the operation and
confirmation that Transport Canada airworthiness inspectors will be permitted
access to perform periodic inspections of maintenance facilities, personnel
and/or documents, as deemed necessary, in the operating country.
|