Overhaul Manual

The manufacturer’s overhaul manual contains brief descriptive information and detailed step by step instructions covering work normally performed on a unit that has been removed 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 the manufacturer’s information and specific instructions for repairing primary and secondary structures. 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.

Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs)

The CFRs 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 CFRs is necessary during the performance of maintenance, since all work done on aircraft must comply with CFR provisions.

Airworthiness Directives

A primary safety function of the FAA 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. Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 39, Airworthiness Directives, defines the authority and responsibility of the Administrator for requiring the necessary corrective action. The Airworthiness Directives (ADs) are published 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. Also, ADs may be a onetime compliance item or a recurring item that requires future inspection on an hourly basis (accrued flight time since last compliance) or a calendar time basis.

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 (TCDS) describes the type design and sets forth the limitations prescribed by the applicable CFR part. 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. This information is contained within a bordered text 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:

  • Model designation of all engines for which the aircraft manufacturer obtained approval for use with this model aircraft.
  • Minimum fuel grade to be used.
  • Maximum continuous and takeoff ratings of the approved engines, including manifold pressure (when used), rpm, and horsepower (hp).
  • 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.
  • Airspeed limits in both mph and knots.
  • 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.
  • Empty weight center of gravity (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.
  • Location of the datum.
  • Means provided for leveling the aircraft.
  • All pertinent maximum weights.
  • Number of seats and their moment arms.
  • Oil and fuel capacity.
  • Control surface movements.
  • Required equipment.
  • Additional or special equipment found necessary for certification.
  • 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 serve only to acquaint aviation mechanics with the type of information generally included on the data sheets. Type certificate data sheets may be many pages in length. Figure 8-1 shows a typical TCDS.

When conducting a required or routine inspection, it is necessary to ensure that the aircraft and all the major items on it are as defined in the type certificate data sheets. This is called a conformity check, and verifies that the aircraft conforms to the specifications of the aircraft as it was originally certified. Sometimes alterations are made that are not specified or authorized in the TCDS. When that condition exists, a supplemental type certificate (STC) will be issued. STCs are considered a part of the permanent records of an aircraft, and should be maintained as part of that aircraft’s logs.

 
 
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