GM 145.A.55(a) Maintenance and airworthiness review records    

CAA ORS9 Decision No. 1

From 1 July 2024 this will be replaced with GM1 145.A.55(a)

1. Properly executed and retained records provide owners, operators and maintenance personnel with information essential in controlling unscheduled and scheduled maintenance, and trouble- shooting to eliminate the need for re-inspection and rework to establish airworthiness.

The prime objective is to have secure and easily retrievable records with comprehensive and legible contents. The aircraft record should contain basic details of all serialised aircraft components and all other significant aircraft components installed, to ensure traceability to such installed aircraft component documentation, associated maintenance data and data for modifications and repairs.

2. Some gas turbine engines are assembled from modules and a true total time in service for a total engine is not kept. When owners and operators wish to take advantage of the modular design, then total time in service and maintenance records for each module is to be maintained. The maintenance records as specified are to be kept with the module and should show compliance with any mandatory requirements pertaining to that module.

3. Reconstruction of lost or destroyed records can be done by reference to other records which reflect the time in service, research of records maintained by repair facilities and reference to records maintained by individual mechanics etc. When these things have been done and the record is still incomplete, the owner/operator may make a statement in the new record describing the loss and establishing the time in service based on the research and the best estimate of time in service. The reconstructed records should be submitted to the CAA for acceptance.

Note: Additional maintenance may be required.

4. The maintenance record can be either a paper or computer system or any combination of both.

5. Paper systems should use robust material which can withstand normal handling and filing. The record should remain legible throughout the required retention period.

6. Computer systems may be used to control maintenance and/or record details of maintenance work carried out. Computer systems used for maintenance should have at least one backup system which should be updated at least within 24 hours of any maintenance. Each terminal is required to contain programme safeguards against the ability of unauthorised personnel to alter the database.