Line Maintenance (on-Aircraft)

Define flight line operations department ?

1. Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor's Office: This office serves as the command center
for overseeing maintenance operations. The supervisor likely manages scheduling,
resource allocation, and overall workflow on the flight line.

2. Technician Ready Room (Break Room): This is a designated space for technicians to
take breaks, relax, and recharge during their shifts. It's essential for maintaining morale
and ensuring that technicians are well-rested and focused on their tasks.

3. Parts and Tooling Room: This room houses essential parts, tools, and equipment
required for aircraft maintenance and repairs. Having these items readily available on
the flight line minimizes downtime and ensures that technicians can quickly access what
they need to complete their tasks.

4. Aircraft Maintenance Library: This is a crucial resource center where all aircraft
maintenance manuals are stored and easily accessible. Technicians can refer to these
manuals for troubleshooting, maintenance procedures, and technical guidance while
working on aircraft.

5. Line Avionics Room: This room specifically focuses on avionics equipment, including
radio equipment and charging stations for aircraft test equipment. Avionics are critical for
aircraft communication, navigation, and instrumentation, so having a dedicated space for
their maintenance and testing is essential.

6. Sensitive Equipment: Mention of "very sensitive equipment" suggests that the flight line
may contain specialized tools or instruments used for precise testing and calibration of
avionics systems. Proper storage and handling of such equipment are necessary to
maintain their accuracy and reliability.

Explain Line Maintenance Operation—General?

In line maintenance operations, the efficient handling of aircraft discrepancies is essential to

minimize ground delays and ensure the safe return of aircraft to flight service. Adhering to these
procedures ensures a smooth and efficient line maintenance operation, contributing to the
overall safety and reliability of aircraft operations.

 Routine Procedures: Upon arrival at the gate, aircraft receive standard services like
refueling and passenger exchange. If there are no issues during the flight, ground crews
proceed with routine procedures.
  Dealing with Discrepancies: Should any faults or discrepancies arise during flight, they
are documented in the aircraft maintenance logbook. Ground crews address these
issues upon flight arrival using procedures outlined in the center column of Figure 13-2.

 Advance Warning: To reduce ground delay, it's advisable for flight crews to provide
advance warning to maintenance personnel through flight operations and the
Maintenance Control Center (MCC). This allows maintenance teams to review past
records and troubleshoot problems before the aircraft lands, minimizing downtime.

 Efficient Resolution: By preparing in advance, maintenance crews can often meet the
aircraft with solutions ready, reducing maintenance downtime and delays. This proactive
approach may involve a separate team or the same team handling other logbook items.

 Completion of Tasks: Before returning the aircraft to flight service, all discrepancies (or
deferrals) must be signed off, and servicing of the aircraft must be completed to ensure
its airworthiness.

Explain aircraft log book ?

The aircraft logbook is a crucial document required by aviation authorities and airlines. It keeps
track of maintenance issues and ensures the safety of flights.

 Essential Document: An aircraft can't fly anywhere without its logbook, and it must be
on board for taxiing too. It shows any open maintenance issues and warns if moving or
starting the aircraft could cause damage.

 Maintenance Responsibility: The maintenance department keeps the logbook

updated. They record details like total flight hours and any maintenance fixes. The pilot
also contributes basic info like flight crew names and signs off on the aircraft.

 Recording Discrepancies: The logbook has sections for the flight crew to note any
maintenance issues found before, during, or after a flight. They report these to the
Maintenance Control Center (MCC) for action.

 Fixing Issues: Maintenance problems can be resolved quickly or deferred under

specific programs. Once agreed upon, the maintenance technician (AMT) updates the
logbook, noting the action taken and any authorization numbers.

 Completion and Forwarding: When maintenance is done, the log page is removed and
sent to the MCC. Some airlines collect log copies daily. Original log pages stay with the
aircraft until the logbook is full, then a new one is used.

 Electronic Logbooks: Modern aircraft often use electronic logbooks. Systems like
ACARS transmit data to the airline's base, allowing real-time communication and
recording of maintenance actions. This improves efficiency and accuracy in maintenance
tracking.
ACARS ?

ACARS stands for Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System. It's a digital
datalink system used in aviation for communication between aircraft and ground stations.

1. Communication: ACARS allows for two-way communication between the aircraft and
ground stations, including airline operations centers, maintenance facilities, and air traffic
control.

2. Reporting: It enables the automated reporting of various aircraft parameters, such as

position, altitude, speed, and system health, to ground stations. This real-time data
transmission facilitates flight tracking and monitoring.

3. Messaging: ACARS enables text-based messaging between the flight crew and ground
personnel, including dispatchers, maintenance technicians, and airline operations staff.
This communication streamlines operational coordination and facilitates the exchange of
important information.

4. Automated Systems Integration: ACARS integrates with various onboard systems,

such as flight management systems and engine monitoring systems, to automatically
transmit data and alerts to ground stations. This integration enhances situational
awareness and allows for proactive maintenance and operational decision-making.

5. Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) Integration: ACARS interfaces with electronic flight bag
systems used by pilots, enabling the display of messages, weather updates, flight plans,
and operational documents directly in the cockpit.
 Explain Maintenance Crew Skill Requirements ?

 Qualifications: Line maintenance crews must be certified mechanics approved by

regulatory authorities and the airline. They should be skilled in airframe, power plant,
and aircraft systems, capable of signing off maintenance tasks and authorizing aircraft
for return to service.

 Broad Knowledge: Unlike specialists in shops or hangars, line personnel need to know
the entire aircraft and deal with different problems on various aircraft types regularly.
They must also be familiar with FAA regulations and airline policies.

 Diverse Skills: Line crews must possess general maintenance skills and techniques, as
well as the ability to troubleshoot issues, perform inspections, and handle paperwork
effectively. They should know when to seek specialized help if required.

 Paperwork Handling: Line maintenance involves handling various paperwork such as

pilot reports, task cards, engineering orders, deferred maintenance items, and more.
Crews must be diligent in managing these documents.

 Shifts and Scheduling: The makeup of line crews and their schedules depend on
factors like airline size, flight schedule, aircraft types, and workload. Each airline decides
the most suitable approach to meet its needs.

 Work Transfer Procedures: If maintenance work spans across shifts, proper

procedures for transferring job information must be in place. This ensures the seamless
continuation and completion of tasks, as outlined in the airline's procedures manual.

What are Ramp and Terminal Operations?

During turnaround (30 mins) flight handling, servicing, and maintenance chores must be
accomplished.

Flight handling involves a series of coordinated tasks to manage passengers, baggage, and
cargo during aircraft turnaround.

1. Arrival and Parking: The aircraft is parked at the gate, and air stairs or ramps are
positioned for passengers to enter and exit.

2. Joint Effort: Various teams, including maintenance, ground handling, flight and cabin
crews, airline terminal staff, and air traffic control personnel, work together to ensure
smooth operations.

3. Baggage and Cargo Handling: Baggage and cargo are loaded and unloaded using
specialized equipment and crews.

4. Servicing: Refueling, water replenishment, and restocking of food and beverages for the
next flight are carried out, along with waste removal from the previous flight.
 5. Maintenance Checks: Maintenance crews enter the aircraft, check logbooks,
troubleshoot reported issues, and perform repairs if necessary.

6. Deferral Procedures: Maintenance issues that can't be immediately addressed may be

deferred according to established procedures. The pilot in command is informed, and
decisions are made on whether the aircraft can still be dispatched safely.

7. Coordination: If there are delays or cancellations, the Maintenance Control Center

(MCC) works with flight operations and terminal staff to manage passenger and baggage
handling.

Preflight Inspection:

 The preflight inspection is done before the aircraft's first flight of the day.

 Typically performed by the first officer (copilot) and follows recommended procedures.

 Winter operations have special precautions and procedures, including ground deicing.

 Pilots have specific winter operating policies in their manuals, covering deicing and anti-
icing programs.

 Example preflight sequence:

1. Exterior safety check

2. Exterior preflight inspection

3. Cabin safety inspection

4. Checking flight deck equipment location

5. Conducting a safety scan of the flight deck

 If any issues are found, the crew notifies maintenance through ACARS or radio.

Postflight Inspection:

 Done after each flight to detect obvious issues.

 Less detailed than the preflight inspection.

 Not needed if the next crew will perform a preflight check.

 Any maintenance issues found are reported to the Maintenance Control Center (MCC).

 The departing crew ensures all power sources and oxygen supply are shut off after
passengers deplane.
Other Line Maintenance Activities

After the rush of the turnaround, line maintenance teams tackle several ongoing tasks:

1. Daily or 48-Hour Checks: These checks are performed on all assigned aircraft before
the first flight each day. They involve specific items outlined in the maintenance program,
with additional items added by the airline as needed.

2. Scheduled Maintenance Items: Tasks scheduled more frequently than the "A" check
interval are handled by line maintenance crews during turnarounds or when the aircraft
is on the ground for an extended period, such as overnight.

3. Special Inspections and Modifications: Line maintenance crews may conduct special
inspections or simple modifications to equipment during turnaround or overnight periods,
as time allows. These may be suggested by manufacturers, required by regulatory
authorities, or mandated by the airline's QA/QC units.

4. Scheduling "A" Checks: Production planning and control teams schedule "A" checks,
which can be done overnight with sufficient crew or split into two phases over
consecutive nights.

5. Extent of Maintenance Activities: Line maintenance crews handle tasks within their
capability, but more extensive maintenance activities, such as opening panels or
component removal, may be delegated to hangar or shop maintenance teams.