EASA Module 13 key terms

The set of processes ensuring an aircraft remains compliant with its type design and applicable airworthiness requirements throughout its operational life, from delivery until withdrawal from service.

The document describing the scope of work, procedures, organisation and responsibilities of a continuing airworthiness management organisation, submitted for approval and kept current by the organisation.

An organisation approved under Part-CAMO to manage the continuing airworthiness of aircraft, including maintenance programme development, airworthiness data control, defect analysis and airworthiness review.

An approval granted under Part-CAO allowing a single organisation to combine continuing airworthiness management and maintenance tasks, typically suited to smaller or less complex operators.

A certificate issued after a documented review of an aircraft's continuing airworthiness records and physical condition, confirming the aircraft remains airworthy at the date of issue.

A structured assessment combining a records review with a physical survey of the aircraft, performed to verify that all required maintenance and airworthiness actions have been accomplished and recorded.

A mandatory requirement issued by a competent authority to correct an unsafe condition found in a type-certificated product, which must be accomplished within the stated compliance time.

A document issued by a design or production organisation recommending or describing modification, inspection or maintenance action, which becomes mandatory only when adopted by an authority or operator.

The approved set of scheduled maintenance tasks and intervals, derived from the maintenance review board report and design data, which the operator must accomplish to keep the aircraft airworthy.

A document produced by an industry and authority board that defines the initial scheduled maintenance requirements and intervals for an aircraft type, forming the basis of operators' programmes.

Mandatory inspection, replacement or life-limit tasks and intervals defined in the certification basis, which must be incorporated into the maintenance programme and cannot be escalated without approval.

A change to the aircraft, its components or its approved documentation that alters the type design and therefore requires approved data and appropriate recording before release to service.

Restoration of a damaged or worn structure or component to an airworthy condition using approved data, performed so that the original or an approved alternative strength is achieved.

Technical information accepted by the competent authority for the purpose of performing maintenance, modifications or repairs, such as type certificate data sheets, structural repair manuals or approved design changes.

Documentation used to accomplish maintenance, including manuals, service information, repair schemes and instructions, which must be current and appropriate to the task being performed.

An organisation approved to perform maintenance, repair, inspection, modification or overhaul of aircraft and components, holding the ratings, facilities, personnel and procedures required by Part-145.

The manual defining a maintenance organisation's scope, procedures, personnel responsibilities and quality system, which the organisation must comply with and keep approved and updated.

The certification, made by authorised certifying staff after maintenance, confirming that the work has been accomplished in accordance with approved data and the aircraft or component is fit for return to service.

The formal document or statement signed to certify completion of maintenance and confirm that the item is airworthy, containing the identification of the work, date and authorised signature.

Personnel authorised by a maintenance organisation to certify maintenance and sign releases to service, holding the required licence, type ratings and organisation authorisation.

Personnel who perform or supervise maintenance tasks under the control of the organisation but are not authorised to certify the work or issue a release to service.

The organisational structure, responsibilities, procedures and resources established to ensure that maintenance and management activities comply with the applicable requirements and are continuously improved.

A planned, systematic examination of an organisation's compliance with its procedures and applicable requirements, performed by personnel not directly responsible for the activity being audited.

The process of recording non-compliance identified during audits or inspections, determining root causes, and implementing and verifying corrective measures within agreed timescales.

A licence issued to an individual certifying that the holder meets the knowledge, experience and category requirements to act as certifying staff for defined maintenance tasks.

An endorsement on a maintenance licence or organisation authorisation permitting the holder to certify maintenance on a specific aircraft type, obtained after type-specific training and assessment.

An organisation approved to provide basic and type training for maintenance personnel, including examinations, whose courses meet the knowledge requirements for licensing.

The initial theoretical and practical instruction covering modules of aircraft maintenance knowledge, required before a candidate can qualify for a maintenance licence category.

Theoretical and practical instruction on a specific aircraft type, covering systems, structures, engines and maintenance practices, required before certification on that type is authorised.

A structured assessment identifying the knowledge and skills personnel require for their tasks, used to design training content, duration and assessment methods.

The rules governing question banks, pass marks, invigilation and practical assessment used by a training organisation to ensure that candidates are evaluated consistently and fairly.

The study of how human capabilities and limitations, including perception, memory, fatigue and teamwork, affect maintenance performance and error, and how those effects can be managed.

An unintentional act or omission by maintenance personnel that produces an undesired outcome, often arising from organisational, environmental or individual factors rather than a single cause.

The systematic approach of identifying hazards, assessing and mitigating risk, and monitoring safety performance within an organisation to prevent accidents and incidents.

The mandatory process of notifying the competent authority of accidents, serious incidents and other specified occurrences, enabling investigation and the sharing of safety lessons.

The documented history of an aircraft, including maintenance, modifications, AD compliance, life-limited parts and mass and balance data, which must be retained and made available for review.

A document recording the aircraft's empty mass, centre of gravity position and equipment changes, kept current so that loading calculations remain valid throughout operation.

A component whose service life is restricted by a mandatory flight-hour, cycle or calendar limit, after which it must be removed from service and cannot be returned to use.

The arrangement by which an approved organisation entrusts part of its maintenance work to another organisation, which must itself hold appropriate approval and be controlled by the contracting organisation.