AMC M.A.605(a) Facilities    

CAA ORS9 Decision No. 1

1. Where a hangar is not owned by the M.A. Subpart F organisation, it may be necessary to establish proof of tenancy. In addition, sufficiency of hangar space to carry out planned maintenance should be demonstrated by the preparation of a projected aircraft hangar visit plan relative to the aircraft maintenance programme. The aircraft hangar visit plan should be updated on a regular basis.

For balloons and airships, a hangar may not be required where maintenance of the envelope and bottom end equipment can more appropriately be performed outside, providing all necessary maintenance can be accomplished in accordance with M.A.402 or ML.A.402. For complex repairs or component maintenance requiring a CAA Form 1, suitable approved workshops should be provided. The facilities and environmental conditions required for inspection and maintenance should be defined in the Maintenance Organisation Manual.

Depending on the scope of work of the maintenance organisation, it may not be necessary to have a hangar available. For example, an organisation maintaining ELA2 aircraft (when not performing major repairs) may perform the work in alternative suitable facilities (and possibly at remote locations) as agreed by the CAA.

2. Protection from the weather elements relates to the normal prevailing local weather elements that are expected throughout any twelve-month period. Aircraft hangar and aircraft component workshop structures should be to a standard that prevents the ingress of rain, hail, ice, snow, wind and dust etc. Aircraft hangar and aircraft component workshop floors should be sealed to minimise dust generation.

3. Aircraft maintenance staff should be provided with an area where they may study maintenance instructions and complete continuing airworthiness records in a proper manner.

4. Special case for ELA2 aircraft

For ELA2 aircraft, it is acceptable not to have access to a hangar or dedicated workshops. Depending on the scope of work, other facilities are acceptable as long as protection is ensured from inclement weather and contamination. This may include, for example, working in the field or in non-aviation premises (closed or not).

These facilities do not need to be individually approved by the CAA as long as the maintenance organisation manual describes for each type of facility the scope of work, the tooling and equipment available, and the permitted environmental conditions (weather, contamination).

The organisation should include, as part of the periodic internal organisational review, a sampling of the compliance with these conditions during certain maintenance events.