AMC M.A.712(b) Quality system    

1. The primary objectives of the quality system are to enable the CAMO to ensure airworthy aircraft and to remain in compliance with the Part-M and, as applicable, Part-ML requirements.

2. An essential element of the quality system is the independent audit.

3. The independent audit is an objective process of routine sample checks of all aspects of the CAMO ability to carry out continuing airworthiness management to the required standards. It includes some product sampling as this is the end result of the process.

4. The independent audit represents an objective overview of the complete continuing airworthiness management related activities. It is intended to complement the M.A.902 or ML.A.902 requirement for an airworthiness review to be satisfied that all aircraft managed by the organisation remain airworthy.

5. The independent audit should ensure that all aspects of M.A. Subpart G compliance are checked annually, including all the sub-contracted activities, and may be carried out as a complete single exercise or subdivided over the annual period in accordance with a scheduled plan. The independent audit does not require each procedure to be checked against each product line when it can be shown that the particular procedure is common to more than one product line and the procedure has been checked every year without resultant findings. Where findings have been identified, the particular procedure should be rechecked against other product lines until the findings have been rectified after which the independent audit procedure may revert back to the annual interval for the particular procedure. Provided that there are no safety related findings, the audit time periods specified in this AMC may be increased by up to 100% subject to agreement by the CAA.

6. Where the organisation has more than one location approved the quality system should describe how these are integrated into the system and include a plan to audit each location every year.

7. A report should be raised each time an audit is carried out describing what was checked and the resulting findings against applicable requirements, procedures and products.

8. The independence of the audit should be established by always ensuring that audits are carried out by personnel not responsible for the function, procedure or products being checked.

9. An organisation should establish a quality plan acceptable to the CAA to show when and how often the activities as required by M.A. Subpart G will be audited.