Aeronautical publications are the sources of information for guiding aviation mechanics in the operation and maintenance of aircraft and related equipment. The proper use of these publications will greatly aid in the efficient operation and maintenance of all aircraft. These include manufacturers' service bulletins, manuals, and catalogs, as well as FAA regulations, airworthiness directives, advisory circulars, and aircraft, engine and propeller specifications.

Bulletins

Service bulletins are one of several types of publications issued by airframe, engine, and component manufacturers.

The bulletins may include: (1) The purpose for issuing the publication; (2) the name of the applicable airframe, engine, or component; (3) detailed instructions for service, adjustment, modification or inspection, and source of parts, if required; and (4) the estimated number of manhours required to accomplish the job.

Maintenance Manual

The aircraft maintenance manual provided by the manufacturer contains complete instructions for maintenance of all systems and components installed in the aircraft. It contains information for the mechanic who normally works on units, assemblies, and systems, while they are installed in the aircraft, and not for the overhaul mechanic. A typical aircraft maintenance manual contains: (1) A description of the systems such as electrical, hydraulic, fuel, control, etc.; (2) lubrication instructions setting forth the frequency and the lubricants and fluids which are to be used in the various systems; (3) pressures and electrical loads applicable to the various systems; (4) tolerances and adjustments necessary to proper functioning of the airplane; (5) methods of leveling, raising, and towing; (6) methods of balancing control surfaces; (7) identification of primary and secondary structures; (8) frequency and extent of inspections necessary to the proper operation of the airplane; (9) special repair methods applicable to the airplane; (10) special inspection techniques requiring X-ray, ultrasonic, or magnetic particle inspection; and (11) a list of special tools.

Overhaul Manual

The manufacturer's overhaul manual contains brief descriptive information and detailed step by step instructions covering work normally performed on a unit away from the aircraft. Simple, inexpensive items, such as switches and relays, on which overhaul is uneconomical, are not covered in the overhaul manual.
 

Structural Repair Manual

This manual contains information and specific instructions from the manufacturer for repairing primary and secondary structure. Typical skin, frame, rib, and stringer repairs are covered in this manual. Also included are material and fastener substitutions and special repair techniques.

Illustrated Parts Catalog

This catalog presents component breakdowns of structure and equipment in disassembly sequence. Also included are exploded views or cutaway illustrations for all parts and equipment manufactured by the aircraft manufacturer.

Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR)

Federal Aviation Regulations were established by law to provide for the safe and orderly conduct of flight operations and to prescribe airmen privileges and limitations. A knowledge of the FARs is necessary during the performance of maintenance, since all work done on aircraft must comply with FAR provisions.

Airworthiness Directives

A primary safety function of the Federal Aviation Administration is to require correction of unsafe conditions found in an aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance when such conditions exist and are likely to exist or develop in other products of the same design. The unsafe condition may exist because of a design defect, maintenance, or other causes. FAR Part 39, Airworthiness Directives, defines the authority and responsibility of the administrator for requiring the necessary corrective action. The Airworthiness Directives (AD) are the media used to notify aircraft owners and other interested persons of unsafe conditions and to prescribe the conditions under which the product may continue to be operated.

Airworthiness Directives are Federal Aviation Regulations and must be complied with, unless specific exemption is granted.

Airworthiness Directives may be divided into two categories: (1) Those of an emergency nature requiring immediate compliance upon receipt and (2) those of a less urgent nature requiring compliance within a relatively longer period of time.

The contents of ADs include the aircraft, engine, propeller, or appliance model and serial numbers affected. Also included are the compliance time or period, a description of the difficulty experienced, and the necessary corrective action.

Type Certificate Data Sheets

The type certificate data sheet describes the type design and sets forth the limitations prescribed by the applicable Federal Aviation Regulations. It also includes any other limitations and information found necessary for type certification of a particular model aircraft.

Type certificate data sheets are numbered in the upper right-hand corner of each page. This number is the same as the type certificate number. The name of the type certificate holder, together with all of the approved models, appears immediately below the type certificate number. The issue date completes this group, which is enclosed in a box to set it off.

The data sheet is separated into one or more sections. Each section is identified by a Roman numeral followed by the model designation of the aircraft to which the section pertains. The category or categories in which the aircraft can be certificated are shown in parentheses following the model number. Also included is the approval date shown on the type certificate.

The data sheet contains information regarding:

1. Model designation for all engines for which the aircraft manufacturer obtained approval for use with this model aircraft.

2. Minimum fuel grade to be used.

3. Maximum continuous and takeoff ratings of the approved engines, including manifold pressure (when used), rpm, and horsepower (hp).

4. Name of the manufacturer and model designation for each propeller for which the aircraft manufacturer obtained approval will be shown together with the propeller limits and any operating restrictions peculiar to the propeller or propeller engine combination.

5. Airspeed limits in both mph and knots.

6. Center of gravity range for the extreme loading conditions of the aircraft is given in inches from the datum. The range may also be stated in percent of MAC (Mean Aerodynamic Chord) for transport category aircraft.

7. Empty weight CG range (when established) will be given as fore and aft limits in inches from the datum. If no range exists, the word "none" will be shown following the heading on the data sheet.

8. Location of the datum.

9. Means provided for leveling the aircraft.

10. All pertinent maximum weights.

11. Number of seats and their moment arms.

12. Oil and fuel capacity.

13. Control surface movements.

14. Required equipment.

15. Additional or special equipment found necessary for certification.

16. Information concerning required placards.

It is not within the scope of this handbook to list all the items that can be shown on the type certificate data sheets. Those items listed above are merely to acquaint aviation mechanics with the type of information generally included on the data sheets.

A.T.A. Specification No. 100

The Air Transport Association of America (A.T.A.) issued the specifications for Manufacturers Technical Data June 1, 1956.

Quote: "This specification establishes a standard for the presentation of technical data, by an aircraft, aircraft accessory, or component manufacturer required for their respective products."

Quote: "In order to standardize the treatment of subject matter and to simplify the user's problem in locating instructions, a uniform method of arranging material in all publications has been developed."

The A.T.A. Specification 100 has the aircraft divided into systems such as electrical which covers the basic electrical system (ATA 2400). Numbering in each major system provides an arrangement for breaking the system down into several subsystems. Late model aircraft, both over and under the 12,500 dividing line, have their parts manuals and maintenance manuals arranged according to the A.T.A. coded system.

The following table of A.T.A. System, Subsystem, and Titles is included for familiarization purposes.

ATA SPEC. 100 - Systems

Sys. Sub Title

21 AIR CONDITIONING

00 General
10 Compression
20 Distribution
30 Pressurization Control
40 Heating
50 Cooling
60 Temperature Control

70 Moisture/Air Contaminate Control

22 AUTO FLIGHT
00 General
10 Autopilot
20 Speed Attitude Correction
30 Auto Throttle
40 System Monitor

23 COMMUNICATIONS

00 General
10 High Frequency (HF)
20 VHF/UHF
30 Passenger Address and Entertainment
40 Interphone
50 Audio Integrating
60 Static Discharging
70 Audio and Video Monitoring

24 ELECTRICAL POWER

00 General
10 Generator Drive
20 AC Generation
30 DC Generation
40 External Power
50 Electrical Load Distribution

25 EQUIPMENT/FURNISHINGS

00 General
10 Flight Compartment
20 Passenger Compartment
30 Buffet/Galley
40 Lavatories
50 Cargo Compartments/AG Spray Apparatus
60 Emergency
70 Accessory Compartments

26 FIRE PROTECTION

00 General
10 Detection
20 Extinguishing
30 Explosion Suppression

27 FLIGHT CONTROLS

00 General
10 Aileron and Tab
20 Rudder/Ruddervator and Tab
30 Elevator and Tab
40 Horizontal Stabilizers/Stabilator
50 Flaps
60 Spoiler, Drag Devices & Variable Aerodynamic Fairings
70 Gust Lock and Dampener
80 Lift Augmenting

28 FUEL

00 General
10 Storage
20 Distribution/Drain Valves
30 Dump
40 Indicating
 

29 HYDRAULIC POWER

00 General
10 Main
20 Auxiliary
30 Indicating

30 ICE AND RAIN PROTECTION

00 General
10 Airfoil
20 Air Intakes
30 Pitot and Static
40 Windows and Windshields
50 Antennas and Radomes
60 Propellers/Rotors
70 Water Lines
80 Detection

31 INDICATING/RECORDING SYSTEMS

00 General
10 Unassigned
20 Unassigned
30 Recorders
40 Central Computers
50 Central Warning System

32 LANDING GEAR

00 General
10 Main Gear
20 Nose Gear/Tail Gear
30 Extension & Retraction, Level Switch
40 Wheels and Brakes
50 Steering
60 Position, Warning & Ground Safety Switch
70 Supplementary Gear/Skis/Floats

33 LIGHTS

00 General
10 Flight Compartment & Annunciator Panels
20 Passenger Compartments
30 Cargo and Service Compartments
40 Exterior Lighting
50 Emergency Lighting

34 NAVIGATION

00 General
10 Flight Environment Data
20 Attitude and Direction
30 Landing and Taxiing Aids
40 Independent Position Determining
50 Dependent Position Determining
60 Position Computing

35 OXYGEN

00 General
10 Crew
20 Passenger
30 Portable

36 PNEUMATIC

00 General
10 Distribution
20 Indicating

37 VACUUM/PRESSURE

00 General
10 Distribution
20 Indicating

38 WATER/WASTE

00 General
10 Potable
20 Wash
30 Waste Disposal
40 Air Supply

39 ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC PANELS AND MULTIPURPOSE COMPONENTS

00 General
10 Instrument & Control Panels
20 Electrical & Electronic Equipment Racks
30 Electrical & Electronic Junction Boxes
40 Multipurpose Electronic Components
50 Integrated Circuits
60 Printed Circuit Card Assemblies

49 AIRBORNE AUXILIARY POWER

00 General
10 Power Plant
20 Engine
30 Engine Fuel and Control
40 Ignition/Starting
50 Air
60 Engine Controls
70 Indicating
80 Exhaust
90 Oil

51 STRUCTURES

00 General
52 DOORS
00 General
10 Passenger/Crew
20 Emergency Exit
30 Cargo
40 Service
50 Fixed Interior
60 Entrance Stairs
70 Door Warning
80 Landing Gear

53 FUSELAGE

00 General
10 Main Frame
20 Auxiliary Structure
30 Plates/Skin
40 Attach Fittings
50 Aerodynamic Fairings

54 NACELLES/PYLONS

00 General
10 Main Frame
20 Auxiliary Structure
30 Plates/Skin
40 Attach Fittings
50 Fillets/Fairings

55 STABILIZERS

00 General
10 Horizontal Stabilizers/Stabilator
20 Elevator/Elevon
30 Vertical Stabilizer
40 Rudder/Ruddervator
50 Attach Fittings

56 WINDOWS

00 General
10 Flight Compartment
20 Cabin
30 Door
40 Inspection and Observation

57 WINGS
00 General
10 Main Frame
20 Auxiliary Structure
30 Plates/Skin
40 Attach Fittings
50 Flight Surfaces

61 PROPELLERS

00 General
10 Propeller Assembly
20 Controlling
30 Braking
40 Indicating

65 ROTORS

00 General
10 Main Rotor
20 Antitorque Rotor Assembly
30 Accessory Driving
40 Controlling
50 Braking
60 Indicating

71 POWERPLANT

00 General
10 Cowling
20 Mounts
30 Fireseals & Shrouds
40 Attach Fittings
50 Electrical Harness
60 Engine Air Intakes
70 Engine Drains

72 (T) TURBINE/TURBOPROP

00 General
10 Reduction Gear & Shaft Section
20 Air Inlet Section
30 Compressor Section
40 Combustion Section
50 Turbine Section
60 Accessory Drives
70 Bypass Section

72 (R) ENGINE RECIPROCATING

00 General
10 Front Section
20 Power Section
30 Cylinder Section
40 Supercharger Section
50 Lubrication

73 ENGINE FUEL & CONTROL

00 General
10 Distribution
20 Controlling/Governing
30 Indicating

74 IGNITION

00 General
10 Electrical Power Supply
20 Distribution
30 Switching

75 BLEED AIR

00 General
10 Engine Anti-Icing
20 Accessory Cooling
30 Compressor Control
40 Indicating

76 ENGINE CONTROLS

00 General
10 Power Control
20 Emergency Shutdown

77 ENGINE INDICATING

00 General
10 Power
20 Temperature
30 Analyzers

78 ENGINE EXHAUST

00 General
10 Collector/Nozzle
20 Noise Suppressor
30 Thrust Reverser
40 Supplementary Air

79 ENGINE OIL

00 General
10 Storage (Dry Sump)
20 Distribution
30 Indicating

80 STARTING

00 General
10 Cranking

81 TURBINES (RECIPROCATING ENG)

00 General
10 Power Recovery
20 Turbosupercharger

82 WATER INJECTION

00 General
10 Storage
20 Distribution
30 Dumping & Purging
40 Indicating

83 REMOTE GEAR BOXES (ENG DR)

00 General
10 Drive Shaft Section
20 Gearbox Section