Introduction
This document was created to define how we, Border Air Ltd., will conduct inspections, perform routine maintenance, modify, and make repairs to your aircraft.
This document clarifies our expectations of what proper aircraft maintenance looks like so you may decide if you wish to have your aircraft maintained by our facility. We understand and expect a conversation regarding the maintenance plan we develop for your aircraft.
We recommend that you read Title 14 CFR Part 43 (both appendices A & D) as well as AC 65-19G- The Inspection Authorization Knowledge Test Guide. These documents define the boundaries we, as aircraft inspectors, are limited to and an idea of how well your aircraft has been maintained thus far.
The Maintenance Records Inspection
Before any physical inspection is started on your aircraft the Inspector must determine how well your aircraft has been maintained. Border Air Ltd. will assess a 4.5hr initial logbook charge for research and organization.
We expect to see the following aircraft maintenance records:
- A logbook the Airframe, each Engine, and each Propeller.
- A compliance record of Airworthiness Directives signed off with the disposition of each AD.
- A current weight and balance with Equipment list.
- Copies of all Form 337 Major Repairs and Alterations
- All STC documentation with applicable Airplane Flight Manual Supplements and Instructions for Continued Airworthiness
Missing documentation will be noted and retrieved.
This thorough review of your aircraft records will determine some relatively simple questions:
1) Have all of the applicable Airworthiness Directives been complied with on your aircraft and which Airworthiness Directives require compliance now or before the next regularly scheduled inspection?
At this time a complete list Airworthiness Directives that apply to your aircraft will be generated.
It is our policy that any Airworthiness Directive that will require compliance before the next regularly scheduled inspection will be complied with at this time.
Any Airworthiness Directive found neither to be properly complied with nor properly signed off will be complied with again.
This maintenance facility does not accept any logbook entry similarly stating “All AD’s complied with” as an acceptable record of Airworthiness Directive compliance.
2) Does your aircraft conform to the specifications as given in your aircraft’s Type Certificate Data Sheet and the specifications, conditions, and limitations of any Supplemental Type Certificates installed on your aircraft?
This encompasses weight and balance, the aircraft equipment list, the required placards and range markings, as well as the required documents for the aircraft.
If a current equipment list is not available, Border Air Ltd. will asses a 2.0 hr charge for creating a current equipment list.
If your aircraft has not been weighed in the last 10 years, Border Air will recommend re-weighing your aircraft.
It is our policy that every aircraft have in good condition the following documents:
a) An Airworthiness Certificate showing the current registration number.
b) A U.S. Registration Certificate showing the current owner and address.
c) A Pilot’s Operating Handbook or Airplane Flight Manual for that aircraft.
3) What items on your aircraft require Inspections for Continued Airworthiness?
a) It is our policy that any STC modification, accessory, or appliance having an Inspection for Continued Airworthiness requiring compliance before the next regularly scheduled inspection will be performed at this time.
Life limited parts
A life limited part shall be any part which has a required or recommended time in service as determined by:
1) The Federal Aviation Administration.
2) The Aircraft manufacturer.
3) The manufacturer of the part.
It is our policy that any part that is worn to 85% of the part’s limit of wear or will exceed its recommended time in service before the aircraft’s next regularly scheduled inspection should be replaced at this time.
This includes but is not limited to:
1) Brake pads.
2) Brake discs.
3) Tires that are 8 years of age or older.
4) Flexible hoses or couplings that are 8 years of age or older.
5) Engine shock mounts that are 8 years of age or older.
6) Air ducting hose 12 years of age or older.
7) Emergency Locator Transmitter batteries (replaced at required date).
Recommended Time Before Overhaul
A long standing discussing has existed over when to overhaul the engine and propeller.
After discussion with other maintenance shops, engine manufacturers, and overhaul facilities our policy shall be that for any engine or propeller exceeding 20% of the hourly limit of the manufacturer’s recommended time before overhaul, we reserve the option not to return the engine and/or propeller to service.
For Engines and Propellers exceeding twice the calendar date of TBO, we reserve the option not to return the engine and/or propeller to service.
For any engine that has exceeded the manufacturer’s recommended time before overhaul that requires any major component to be replaced or loses oil in excess of 80% of the manufacturer’s limits, we reserve the option not to return the engine and/or propeller to service.
Inspection Documentation
Once we have an overall picture of the aircraft’s disposition, we will generate an inspection checklist utilizing either the Manufacturer’s Checklist, our own checklist based on the aircraft make and model that will follow the guidelines of Part 43 Appendix D, or a combination of the two.
We will incorporate any applicable Airworthiness Directives, Special Airworthiness Information Bulletins, and Instructions for Continued Airworthiness into the Inspection Documentation Package.
We will discuss and incorporate other service bulletins applicable to the aircraft.
We will discuss and incorporate any existing discrepancies and/or further work you wish to have accomplished.
Border Air Ltd. posts a “Flat Rate Annual Inspection” which does not include any work beyond the scope and detail of the manufacturer’s inspection checklist for a 100hr inspection.
Compliance with Airworthiness Directives, SAIB, ICA, SB, Special Inspections and life limits inspections will be billed as separate line items.
Plan of Care for Maintenance and Repair
We have neither the time nor the inclination for your Annual Inspection to become a restoration project.
We do expect the aircraft we maintain to be well taken care of.
After the inspection we will establish a maintenance plan with a priority of work to discuss with you.
Any discrepancy which constitutes a safety of flight hazard will be addressed before we return the aircraft to service.
The Maintenance Plan we develop will bring up items to plan for in the near term (within the next year/100hrs), the midterm (1-5 years), and the long term based on your mission for the aircraft, schedule, and finances.
We work at your direction and comfort level.
Some customers want an explicit step-by-step process with estimates before work starts, some customers will drop the keys and tell us to call them when it’s ready.
We do not allow “Owner Assisted” annual inspections.
We hope this document has given valuable insight on our process and expectations for maintaining your aircraft.
By choosing to use our company for your aircraft maintenance you understand and agree we will adhere to this process and expectations.
We look forward to your business,
Clifford Coy
President
Border Air Ltd.
Border Air Ltd. 