AM Aircraft Maintenance Procedures & Documentation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a Deferred Maintenance Item (DMI) or Minimum Equipment List (MEL) deferral?
- To permanently remove an inoperative item from service
- To allow continued operation of an aircraft with specific inoperative components under defined conditions (Correct answer)
- To authorize a mechanic to skip required inspections
- To delay an overhaul until the next scheduled check
Correct answer: To allow continued operation of an aircraft with specific inoperative components under defined conditions
An MEL deferral allows an aircraft to continue operating with certain inoperative items provided the conditions and limitations in the MEL are met.
Question 2: Which document would a mechanic consult first when troubleshooting an avionics system malfunction?
- The Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM)
- The Component Maintenance Manual (CMM)
- The Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) troubleshooting section (Correct answer)
- The Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC)
Correct answer: The Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) troubleshooting section
The AMM troubleshooting section provides aircraft-level fault isolation procedures specific to the installed system.
Question 3: A yellow tag attached to a removed aircraft component typically indicates:
- The part is serviceable and ready for installation
- The part requires inspection or repair before being returned to service (Correct answer)
- The part is condemned and must be scrapped
- The part is awaiting FAA approval
Correct answer: The part requires inspection or repair before being returned to service
A yellow tag (repairable tag) indicates the component has been removed and requires inspection or repair before it can be reinstalled.
Question 4: What is a primary function of an Aircraft Maintenance Program (AMP)?
- To schedule pilot training intervals
- To define the scheduled maintenance tasks and intervals required to maintain airworthiness (Correct answer)
- To track aircraft fuel consumption
- To authorize mechanics to perform inspections
Correct answer: To define the scheduled maintenance tasks and intervals required to maintain airworthiness
An AMP defines the required scheduled maintenance tasks, intervals, and inspection requirements to ensure continued airworthiness.
Question 5: When a Significant Structural Repair (SSR) is made to an aircraft, what documentation is required?
- Only an entry in the airframe logbook
- A DER-approved repair drawing and an entry in the maintenance record (Correct answer)
- Verbal authorization from the FAA
- A new Airworthiness Certificate must be issued
Correct answer: A DER-approved repair drawing and an entry in the maintenance record
Significant structural repairs require approved repair data (often DER-approved drawings) and a corresponding entry in the maintenance record.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the purpose of a Service Difficulty Report (SDR)?
- To report employee injuries during maintenance operations
- To report defects, malfunctions, or failures that could jeopardize flight safety (Correct answer)
- To document scheduled maintenance completion
- To request technical assistance from a manufacturer
Correct answer: To report defects, malfunctions, or failures that could jeopardize flight safety
SDRs are filed with the FAA to report failures, malfunctions, or defects that could affect airworthiness and may be required under 14 CFR Part 121 or Part 135.
Question 7: How long must an air carrier keep maintenance records for airframe major repairs under 14 CFR Part 121?
- Until the repair is superseded by another repair
- For the life of the airframe (Correct answer)
- For 2 years after the repair date
- For 90 days after repair completion
Correct answer: For the life of the airframe
Under 14 CFR 121.380, records of major structural repairs must be retained for the life of the aircraft.
AM Aircraft Maintenance Procedures & Documentation 3
What is the purpose of a Deferred Maintenance Item (DMI) or Minimum Equipment List (MEL) deferral?