Avionics News November 2022 - 17

Whether a limited-rated repair station or a
class-rated repair station, we encourage the repair
station to use a capability checklist to verify and
document the facility's capability before engaging in
performing maintenance.
description of these three categories, they are not within a
radio (class or limited) rating.
The same logic applies to limited instrument-rated repair
stations (section 145.61(4)). Instruments fall into four
categories. Section 145.59(e) describes the four categories
of instruments covered by the rating: mechanical; electrical;
gyroscopic; or electronic. Again, if the article you are
working on isn't included in the description of these four
categories, the article is not an instrument. In the avionics
industry, this is becoming increasingly important with the
substantial number of new aircraft electronics systems that
have been introduced. Installing aircraft electronics systems
other than radios or instruments would fall under an airframe
rating rather than radio or instrument. To repair these systems
would likely require an accessory rating.
Once one understands their ratings, they then must
look to the " limitations " documented on their operations
specifications and realize there is a hierarchy in that the
repair station cannot be granted authority in the limitation
that exceeds the ratings issued.
The second item is the facility's capability to perform the
work. Assuring your capability is one of the often-missing
conversations at repair stations. So, what does " being
capable " truly mean?
Let's start with the basics: " ... in accordance with Part
43. " What does 14 CFR Part 43 require?
14 CFR section 43.13 contains the maintenance
performance rules that apply to every person (including
repair stations). Section 43.15 includes the additional
performance rules for inspections, and section 43.16 notes
the compliance requirements for airworthiness limitations.
Section 43.5 addresses the requirements for completing an
approval for return to service after maintenance, preventive
maintenance, rebuilding or alteration. And section 43.2
defines overhaul and rebuild.
Finally, section 43.9 defines the " content, form, and
disposition of maintenance, preventive maintenance,
rebuilding, and alteration records. " And section 43.11 is
the companion standard addressing the " content, form,
and disposition of records for inspections conducted
under Parts 91 and 125 and §§ 135.411(a)(1) and
135.419 of this chapter. "
Part 145 regulations require that a certificated repair
station must provide housing, facilities, equipment, materials
and data that meet the applicable requirements for the
issuance of the certificate and ratings the repair station holds
(section 145.101). In subpart D, each repair station must
provide qualified personnel to plan, supervise, perform and
approve for return to service the work performed under the
repair station certificate and operations specifications.
Admittedly, this seems a bit complicated. Let's see if we
can find a checklist.
For a limited rating, we know that " an article may be listed
on the capability list only if the article is within the scope of
the ratings of the repair station's certificate, and only after the
repair station has performed a self-evaluation in accordance
with the procedures under § 145.209(d)(2). "
But more importantly is the second sentence: " The repair
Continued on page 35
avionics news * november 2022 17
Avionics News November 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News November 2022
