Fri, Oct 28, 2011
Shifts Procedure To A Maintenance Task Which Can Be Performed
By The Pilot
The
FAA has proposed an amendment to maintenance regulations that would
remove the task of updating databases used in self-contained,
front-panel or pedestal-mounted navigation equipment from the
"preventative maintenance" category. This change would allow pilots
who operate certificated aircraft to update the specified databases
and eliminate the requirement for certificated mechanics or repair
stations to perform the update.
Currently a pilot for an aircraft operated under Part 135 cannot
perform ATC Nav Database updates. The proposal will change the
regulations by first, removing ATC Nav Databases from the list of
authorized preventive tasks apparently making them a maintenance
task, and then allowing any pilot to perform this new maintenance
task by adding this new paragraph to Section 43.3.
Paragraph (c)(32) from Part 43, Appendix A, Preventive
Maintenance, currently lists "Updating self-contained, front
instrument panel-mounted Air Traffic Control navigational software
databases (excluding those of automatic flight control systems,
transponders and microwave frequency distance measuring equipment)
provided no disassembly of the unit is required and pertinent
instructions are provided" as a preventive maintenance task.
There are, of course, a few caveats. The pilot may perform the
update provided:
- No disassembly of the unit is required.
- The pilot has written procedures available to perform and
evaluate the accomplishment of the task.
- The database is contained in a field-loadable configuration and
imaged on a medium, such as a compact disc read-only memory
(CD-ROM), synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM), or
other non- volatile memory that contains database files that are
non-corruptible upon loading, and where integrity of the load can
be assured and verified by the pilot upon completing the loading
sequences.
- Records of when such database uploads have occurred, the
revision number of the software, and who performed the upload must
be maintained.
- The data to be uploaded must not contain system operating
software revisions.
Section 43.3 (g) allows the holder of a pilot certificate to
perform preventive maintenance on any aircraft owned or operated by
that pilot which is not used under Part 121, 129 or 135
operations.
The AEA has been working with the FAA for more than a year on
this issue. Based on the recommendations of the AEA Government
& Industry Affairs committee, the AEA has been supportive of
the FAA's efforts to remove the restriction placed on Part 135
pilots.
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