GOVERNMENT OF INDIA CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS
CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT SECTION 2 - AIRWORTHINESS
SERIES 'I' PART III
ISSUE I,DATED 24TH APRIL '1992
File No. 11-690/92-AI(2) EFFECTIVE : FORTHWITH
Subject : MAINTENANCE_OF_TEST_EQUIPMENT.
1. INTRODUCTION
Rule 57 requires that every aircraft shall be fitted with
approved instrument and equipment including radio apparatus
as may be specified further modern aircraft are fitted with
many instruments, equipments whose function is vital to the
aircraft operation. These equipment indicate the
performance of the various aspects of airframe, engine and
system performance. Any inaccuracy introduced in the
indication system will result in incorrect operation of the
aircraft, engine and its system. It is, therefore,
necessary that such instruments, equipments and other
accessories are checked at regular intervals for their
correct functioning and indication. For this purpose the
instrument, equipment, accessories require overhaul and test
with the help of test equipments which are expected to be
accurate and error free during use.
The test equipment/benches are generally set up in
accordance with the equipment manufacturers'
recommendations. Operators who are approved to carry out
overhaul, test and certification of equipment must have
proper test equipment, the manuals, and also ensure that
such test equipment are kept properly maintained and
calibrated at regular intervals.
2. Maintenance of Test Equipment
The test equipment and its serviceability and accuracy is
vital as the primary functioning of instrument and equipment
depends on the serviceability and the accuracy of the test
equipment. The test equipment therefore should be
maintained in accordance with the recommendations of the
manufacturers given in the manuals. A proper maintenance
schedules should be framed so that the equipment is
subjected to proper inspection and servicing at regular
intervals. The interval of maintenance schedule may be
based on the frequency of the use. The test equipment which
are not frequently used may require different check than the
ones which are frequently used. Accordingly the maintenance
schedules may be based on either the calender period or the
hours of operation depending on the amount of work of the
operator. Such schedules will have to be prepared by the
shop incharge, approved by the Quality Control Manager of
the company. Copy of the same will have to be kept amended
and updated.
3. Calibration of the Test Equipment
Apart from maintenance the test equipment have to be
calibrated with reference to the master gauges/primary
standards. Such primary standards are generally available
with the national laboratories or the approved test houses
established by the various scientific departments of the
State Government / Government of India. The operators need
not have a primary standard whose cost is very high and
which may not be required during day-to-day use. Secondary
master gauges could be developed with reference to the
primary standards and used in the day-to-day work. A proper
record should be maintained of the calibration done and also
the next calibration due. A list of all primary standards
and secondary standards be kept in the shop.
4. Certification of Maintenance Schedules and Calibration
Equipment
The maintenance schedules of the test equipment as and when
performed will have to be certified by persons approved by
the local airworthiness authorities in consultation with the
QCM. Such persons will have to show their familiarity with
the test equipment, literature and also must provide proof
that they are familiar with the job they are required to
perform. These persons should also be specifically
authorised to carry out calibration check and issue
certificate to this effect.
The Quality Control Manual/Inspection Manual will indicate
the various instruments/equipment calibration period so that
all the instruments and the gauges are checked at regular
intervals by the persons duly approved as stated in
preceding para using the test equipment.
5. Validation of Software of Computers used as Test Equipment
It will be the operators responsibility to get appropriate
certificate from equipment manufacturer that software which
has been supplied with the computer or separately which
will give results identical to the values given in
specifications of equipment being tested. Procedure should
also exist to carry out the validation of software
periodically and proper record has to be maintained of such
validation checks. BITE or SELF test accuracy should also
be clearly indicated. The procedure be documented in
operation manual.
6. Standard Room
Standard Room is established wherein master standards and
secondary standards are kept. Only a few dedicated persons
are utilised to carry out calibration and test of other
gauges. The Standard Room has to be kept clean/dust free
and proper record of all the test equipment and the gauges
available with history of their test and certificates
obtained for the test should be available. Such Standard
Room will also provide service to other small operators who
cannot afford to have such facilities established for few
instruments and equipment.
7. Non-compliance of these requirements will result in
withdrawal of the approval of the operator for the
maintenance, overhaul, repair of the aircraft, aircraft
engine and systems and the approval so withdrawn will be
only restored after it has been certified by the Regional
Airworthiness Office that test equipment have been
maintained and calibrated in accordance with the approved
programme.
Sd/-
(S. L. Srivastava)
Deputy Director General of Civil Aviation