Airworthiness monitoring of aircraft - Sample inspections (ACAM)

The national aviation authorities of the EU/EEA monitor the continuing airworthiness of aircraft under a specific programme and perform sampled airworthiness inspections of aircraft on their aircraft registers. The Icelandic Transport Authority carries out aircraft inspections and is in communication with the owner or lessee regarding such inspections in respect of aircraft that are registered in Iceland.

ACAM Sample inspections

The acronym ACAM stands for Aircraft Continuing Airworthiness Monitoring or Aircraft Continuing Airworthiness Follow-up. ACAM inspections are routine operational and airworthiness inspections and are carried out using sample aircraft inspections.

• The aircraft owner is responsible for its airworthiness

• If the aircraft is leased, the owner's liability is transferred to the lessee, providing that the lessee is specified in the certificate of registration or specified in the lease.

• The inspectors of the Icelandic Transport Authority shall carry out the inspections and be trained to conduct inspections of aircraft and on maintenance records. They hold a Part-66 licence and years of experience in aircraft maintenance and maintenance management.

• Owners or operators are obliged to grant inspectors of the Icelandic Transport Authority access to the aircraft and its documentation.

• These inspections are separate from airworthiness review performed by a maintenance management organisation (CAMO) or an appropriately authorised aircraft engineer.

It is in the interest of aviation that these inspections are carried out and corrective actions are based on cooperation and the sharing of information on what can be improved.

Purpose

The Icelandic Transport Authority ensures the follow-up of airworthiness reviews, by carrying out a sample inspection programme, to verify that the maintenance, maintenance control and inspections have actually been carried out in accordance with regulations.

Preparation

When advance notice of an inspection is given, the aircraft and maintenance records must be available at the agreed time. An operator or contact person familiar with the aircraft and its maintenance records shall be present, if possible, to enable the inspector to get a quick answer to the questions quickly. Ideally, an aircraft should be clean for inspection.

Inspections may include, inter alia,

• opening and closing of engine cowlings or other covers

• Turning on the aircraft's systems

• more items

It may be necessary to have on-site, the appropriately authorised engineer on the aircraft, to issue a certificate of release to service.

The owner/operator is required to provide an engineer capable of rectification of aircraft deficiencies, if identified.

Implementation

The inspections may be carried out during aircraft stops or maintenance, or during routine line operations. The scope of the ACAM inspection shall be determined by the inspector in each individual case.

• Normally, the operator is given advance notice of the planned inspection, but the inspection may take place at airports without prior notice.

• If the aircraft is being maintained or recelently released from maintainance, the aircraft engineer concerned is notified of the inspection as required.

• The maintenance log of the aircraft is examined, where samples are taken

• Inspection of the aircraft itself, on the ramp or in the hangar while the aircraft is in operation or during aircraft maintenance.

• The results of inspections are recorded and evaluated.

• If a trend is identified that could affect safety, it can affect the number of aircraft and priority of items inspected.

• If any findings are identified during an inspection, corrective action must be taken by the aircraft operator within a specified time and corrective action must be approved by the inspector. These are usually simple things.

These inspections are not adequate airworthiness reviews (ARs), as they are only focused on a number of pre-defined Key Risk Airworthiness Elements (KREs).

Duration

It varies how long an inspection takes. It depends on the size of the aircraft and the availability of maintenance records. It may be assumed that for

• smaller aircraft can complete an inspection of more than three hours

• large aircraft to take one to two days to inspect

Usually most of the time is spent examining the maintenance records, but the aircraft only needs to be there when it is being inspected.

Findings

During the inspection, a preliminary report is prepared, containing information on all findings identified. Findings are classified by the inspector according to their risk and recorded as level 1 or level 2.

The inspector then shall then formally write an audit report to the operator, for which the aircraft operator is responsible for the implementation of the corrective actions within the stated timelines.

Cost

The Icelandic Transport Authority does not charge a fee for an ACAM inspection.

Operators are obliged by law and regulation to provide access to aircraft and its maintenance records and potential costs are not reimbursed to the operator.

Rules and regulations

• Regulation no. 926/2015

• Regulation (EC) No 216/2008

• Annex II (Annex II) to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008

• The Air Travel Act, No. 60 of 1998.

• Part M section B AMC M.B.102(c)