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Airworthiness Notice - B055, Edition 1 - 4 July 2000
Service Bulletin Compliance
The purpose of this notice is to clarify to Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and
operators the need to comply with manufacturers’ service bulletins, service
letters, etc.
Leaving aside publications made mandatory by airworthiness directives or equivalent
mandatory notices issued by the airworthiness authority responsible for the
initial type design of the product, manufacturers’ publications may be
considered under three general headings:
- Recommended methods and practices for the performance of work;
- Recommended modifications, inspections, and times between overhaul; and
- Mandatory actions established as part of the type certification process.
Although a single publication may in practice deal with more than one topic, in this
notice each group will be dealt with separately:
- Publications
specifying methods and practices for the performance of work
Publications
under this heading may be considered as amendments to the instructions for
continued airworthiness (ICA). As
such, pursuant to Canadian Aviation
Regulation (CAR) 571.02, they constitute one of three acceptable
sources for such data (the other two are equivalent methods and standard
industry practice).
- Publications
recommending the incorporation of modifications, the performance of inspections,
or times between overhaul
Except
where otherwise specified in Std
625, Appendix C, compliance with publications dealing with these topics is
optional. However, aircraft owners have a duty to be aware of the
contents of these publications, and to evaluate the need for compliance in light
of their own circumstances. Commercial
operators should have a formalized process for conducting this evaluation, as
part of the evaluation program required by CAR 706.
- Publications
providing information regarding airworthiness limitations established as part of
the type certification process
On
occasion the communication of airworthiness limitations, such as component life
limits or maintenance requirements is accomplished by referring to service
bulletins or equivalent notices. When
used in this manner the content of the bulletin is a condition of the type
certificate; and, except where Transport Canada has granted approval to deviate,
compliance is mandatory.
The
above explanation should assist AMEs and operators in deciding on the need for
compliance with service bulletins, service letters, etc.
Further guidance in individual cases may be obtained from Transport
Canada Centres.
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