The Maintenance and Engineering Organization

What are the 3 basic concepts in organizational structure of aviation with

examples?

1. Span of Control: This is a traditional management concept referring to the number of

subordinates a manager or supervisor can effectively oversee. A narrower span of
control suggests fewer employees reporting directly to one manager, allowing for closer
supervision and more personalized attention.

2. Grouping of Similar Functions: Also rooted in traditional management, this concept

involves organizing tasks, roles, and responsibilities into logical groups based on their
similarity or relatedness. This grouping can streamline operations, facilitate coordination,
and promote specialization within organizational units. Eg: all avionics maintenance
tasks might be grouped together, separate from airframe maintenance tasks. This
grouping allows technicians to specialize in specific areas, leading to greater efficiency
and expertise.

3. Separation of Production Activities and Oversight Functions: This concept, unique

to aviation as mentioned, highlights the segregation between two essential aspects of
aviation operations:

 Production Activities (Maintenance and Engineering): These involve the

actual hands-on work of repairing, maintaining, and ensuring the airworthiness of
aircraft and related systems. Maintenance and engineering personnel are directly
responsible for keeping aircraft in operational condition. Eg: maintenance
technicians are responsible for carrying out repairs and inspections on aircraft
(production activities). They perform tasks such as engine maintenance, avionics
checks, and structural repairs.

 Oversight Functions (Inspection, Control, Monitoring): These encompass

activities such as quality assurance, quality control, reliability assessments, and
safety oversight. These functions ensure that production activities meet
regulatory standards, adhere to established protocols, and maintain high levels of
safety and reliability. Eg: after a maintenance technician completes an engine
overhaul, a quality assurance inspector will review the work to ensure it was
done correctly and meets all safety standards before the aircraft is returned to
service.
 Manager Level Functions—Technical Services Directorate?

The technical services directorate provides various activities and services that support
maintenance and inspection functions. This department facilitate smooth maintenance and
inspection operations within the organization.

Divisions of Technical Services Directorate?

1. Engineering

2. Production planning and control

3. Training

4. Technical publications

5. Computing services

1. Engineering

The Engineering Manager oversees all engineering tasks within the Maintenance and
Engineering (M&E) organization. Their responsibilities include:

1. Developing the initial maintenance program, which outlines tasks, intervals,

schedules, and other maintenance-related details.

2. Evaluating service bulletins and service letters to determine if they should be

implemented in the airline's equipment.

3. Supervising the incorporation of beneficial service bulletins and airworthiness

directives required by regulatory authorities.

4. Addressing maintenance problems identified by the reliability program or arising

from maintenance checks.

5. Establishing policies and procedures for the M&E organization.

The Engineering Department employs engineering specialists with expertise in various

areas such as power plants, structures, avionics, aircraft performance, and systems.
Additionally, the Engineering Department assists in planning facilities for the airline,
such as hangars, maintenance shops, and storage facilities.

2. Production planning and control

The Manager of Production Planning and Control (PP&C) is responsible for scheduling and
planning all maintenance activities. Their tasks include:

1. Planning and scheduling manpower, parts, facilities, tools, and any special assistance
needed for maintenance or modification tasks.

2. Establishing standards for the amount of time, materials, facilities, tools, and equipment
required for each task.

3. Creating schedules for maintenance work, ensuring tasks are completed on time.

4. Overseeing hangar operations and on-airplane maintenance activities.

5. Monitoring the progress of work in support shops to ensure tasks are being completed
efficiently.

3. Training

The Manager of Technical Training oversees all aspects of training for employees within the
Maintenance and Engineering (M&E) unit. The Technical Training Manager ensures that M&E
employees receive the necessary training to perform their duties effectively and stay up-to-date
with industry standards and advancements. Their responsibilities include:

1. Developing curriculum and courses for formal training programs attended by M&E
employees.

2. Administering training programs and maintaining training records.

3. Coordinating external training required by the unit, such as vendor training.

4. Collaborating with line and hangar maintenance personnel to develop on-the-job training
and remedial or one-time training activities.

5. Creating new and specialized training courses to address specific needs of the airline,
which may arise from reliability issues, the introduction of new equipment or
modifications, or the expansion of the aircraft fleet.

4. Technical publications

The Manager of Technical Publications oversees all technical documents used by the
Maintenance and Engineering (M&E) organization. Their responsibilities include:

1. Managing a current inventory of all technical documents received from manufacturers

and vendors, as well as those produced internally by the airline.
 2. Determining the number of copies of each document needed at various work centers,
whether in paper, microfilm, or digital formats.

3. Ensuring that all work centers receive the appropriate documents and revisions
promptly.

4. Conducting periodic checks to ensure that work centers keep their documents up to
date.

5. Maintaining the main technical library and any satellite libraries within the airline's
system, including those at outstations.

5. Computing services

The Manager of Computing Services oversees the computing needs of the Maintenance and
Engineering (M&E) organization. Their responsibilities include:

1. Defining the organization's computing requirements, including selecting software and

hardware to be used. They gather input from individual units within the organization
regarding their usage information and requirements.

2. Providing training on computer usage to maintenance, inspection, and management

personnel.

3. Offering ongoing support to all departments and personnel within the organization to
ensure smooth and efficient use of computing resources.
 Divisions of Aircraft Maintenance Directorate ?

In the Aircraft Maintenance Directorate, there are three main areas of responsibility:
maintenance on the flight line, maintenance performed in the hangar, and Maintenance Control
Center (MCC) operations.

Under the direction of the Aircraft Maintenance Director, there are three managers:

1. One manager for maintenance activities on the flight line.

2. One manager for maintenance activities performed in the hangar.

3. One manager for Maintenance Control Center (MCC) operations.

These managers oversee their respective areas of responsibility and ensure that aircraft
maintenance activities are carried out efficiently and effectively.

Line maintenance

The Manager of Line Maintenance oversees all maintenance activities conducted on aircraft
while they are in service on the flight line. Their responsibilities include:

1. Ensuring compliance with the airline's policies and procedures for work done on
aircraft during service.

2. Managing turnaround maintenance and servicing, daily checks, short interval

checks, and "A" checks.

3. Sometimes, implementing simple modifications on the flight line to avoid using

hangar facilities unnecessarily.

4. Providing line maintenance services for other airlines under contract, if

applicable.

Hangar maintenance

The Manager of Hangar Maintenance oversees all maintenance activities conducted on aircraft
within the hangar. The Hangar Maintenance Manager ensures that all maintenance activities
conducted within the hangar, including aircraft maintenance and support shop operations, are
carried out safely, efficiently, and in accordance with established standards and procedures.
Their responsibilities include:

1. Ensuring compliance with the airline's policies and procedures for all work done on
aircraft in the hangar, including modifications, engine changes, "C" checks (and higher),
corrosion control, painting, etc.
 2. Managing various support shops within the hangar, such as welding, seat and interior
fabric, composites, etc.

3. Overseeing maintenance of ground support equipment used in hangar operations.

Maintenance control center

The Maintenance Control Center (MCC) tracks all aircraft while they're in flight and at
outstations. They coordinate all maintenance needs for these aircraft and handle scheduling
changes in collaboration with the flight department.

Key responsibilities of the MCC include:

1. Tracking aircraft in flight and at outstations.

2. Coordinating all maintenance requirements for these aircraft.

3. Managing downtime and schedule changes in coordination with the flight department.

Divisions of Overhaul Shops Directorate ?

The Overhaul Shops Directorate comprises maintenance shops that work on components
removed from aircraft. These shops include:

 Engine shop(s)

 Electrical and electronics (avionics) shops

 Mechanical component shops

 Structures

These shops may operate separately or be combined based on convenience. They may also
provide contract services for other airlines.

Engine shop(s)
The Manager of the Engine Shops oversees all maintenance and repairs on the organization's
engines and auxiliary power units (APUs). If multiple types of engines are used, there may be a
separate engine shop for each type, but they typically fall under one senior manager.

Key responsibilities of the Engine Shop Manager include:

1. Managing maintenance and repair activities for all engines and APUs.

2. Organizing separate engine shops if different types of engines are used.

3. Assigning supervisors for each engine type, if necessary.

4. Overseeing engine build-up activities.

Electrical and electronics (avionics) shops

The Manager of Electrical and Electronics (Avionics) Shops oversees all maintenance of
electrical and electronics components and systems outside of the aircraft. This includes various
components like radios, navigation systems, communication devices, computers, and electric
motor-driven components.

Key points about the role:

1. Responsible for off-aircraft maintenance of electrical and electronics systems.

2. Manages multiple shops, such as radio, navigation, communications, computers,

etc., each with separate supervisors.

3. Shops may be combined to optimize resources and reduce equipment inventories.

Mechanical component shops

The Manager of Mechanical Component Shops oversees maintenance activities for mechanical
components. These components include actuators, hydraulic systems, aircraft surfaces (like
flaps and slats), fuel systems, oxygen systems, pneumatics, and more.

Key points about the role:

1. Responsible for maintaining mechanical components.

2. Oversees a variety of shops that address different mechanical systems.

3. Ensures that mechanical components are repaired and maintained to support aircraft
operations.
Structures

The Structures Shop is responsible for maintaining and repairing all structural components of
aircraft. This includes working with composite materials, sheet metal, and other structural
elements to ensure the integrity and safety of the aircraft's structure.

Key points about the Structures Shop:

1. Responsible for maintaining and repairing aircraft structural components.

2. Works with composite materials, sheet metal, and other structural elements.

3. Ensures the structural integrity and safety of the aircraft.

Divisions of Material Directorate ?

The Material Directorate handles all parts and supplies for the Maintenance and Engineering
(M&E) organization. Their responsibilities include:

1. Purchasing parts and supplies needed for maintenance, servicing, and

engineering of aircraft.

2. Stocking and distributing these parts and supplies through stores.

3. Controlling inventory to ensure adequate stock levels.

4. Managing shipping and receiving of parts and supplies.

5. Procuring supplies for the administration and management of M&E, such as office
supplies and uniforms.

1. Purchasing

The Manager of Purchasing is responsible for buying parts and supplies needed for the
Maintenance and Engineering (M&E) organization. Their responsibilities include:

1. Purchasing parts and supplies needed for aircraft maintenance and operations.

2. Tracking orders from the initial acquisition of parts for new aircraft to replenishing
supplies based on usage.

3. Handling warranty claims and managing contract repairs for purchased items.
2 . Stores

The Manager of Stores oversees the storage, handling, and distribution of parts and supplies
used by maintenance personnel in line, hangar, and shop maintenance activities. Their
responsibilities include:

1. Managing the storage and organization of parts and supplies.

2. Handling the distribution of parts and supplies to maintenance personnel.

3. Ensuring that parts issue points are strategically located near work centers for quick
access by mechanics.

4. Minimizing the time mechanics spend obtaining parts and supplies.

3. Inventory control

The Manager of Inventory Control is responsible for managing the stock of parts and supplies to
ensure:

1. The inventory levels are sufficient for the expected usage rate.

2. Excessive funds are not tied up in items that are not frequently used.

3. Stock outs of commonly used items are minimized.

4. Shipping and receiving

The Manager of Shipping and Receiving oversees the logistics of materials:

1. For outgoing materials, they handle packing, waybill preparation, insurance, customs,
etc.

2. For incoming materials, they manage customs clearance, unpacking, receiving

inspection, tagging, etc.

3. This includes all parts being shipped into and out of the airline.

Divisions of Maintenance Program Evaluation Directorate ?

The MPE Directorate ensures that maintenance and engineering activities meet quality and
safety standards through continuous monitoring and evaluation. The MPE unit oversees
Continuous Aircraft Servicing and Safety (CASS) activities and performs functions related to
quality assurance, quality control, reliability, and safety.

1. Quality assurance

The Manager of Quality Assurance ensures that all units within Maintenance and Engineering
(M&E) adhere to company policies, procedures, and FAA requirements. They set standards for
M&E operations, and QA auditors conduct yearly audits to ensure compliance. Additionally,
Quality Assurance is responsible for auditing outside suppliers and contractors to ensure
compliance with company and regulatory rules and regulations.

2. Quality control

The Manager of Quality Control oversees several key responsibilities:

1. Conducting routine inspections of maintenance and repair work to ensure quality

standards are met.

2. Certifying maintenance and inspection personnel.

3. Managing the Required Inspection Items (RIIs) program, which involves identifying RIIs
and certifying specific personnel authorized to inspect and accept the work.

4. Calibrating maintenance tools and test equipment.

5. Performing or overseeing nondestructive testing and inspection (NDT/NDI) procedures.

3. Reliability

The Reliability Manager is in charge of monitoring and improving the reliability of the
organization's operations through data analysis and problem-solving efforts.

Their responsibilities include:

 Collecting and analyzing data.

 Identifying potential problem areas.

 Collaborating with engineering to address identified issues in detail.

 Publishing the monthly reliability report.

4. Safety
The Safety Manager ensures that safety protocols are followed and addresses any safety
concerns or incidents within the M&E organization. Their responsibilities include:

 Developing, implementing, and administering safety programs.

 Handling all reports and claims regarding safety issues in M&E operations.

Summarize the activities and responsibilities of all management levels ?

In addition to their specialized responsibilities, directors, managers, and supervisors are also
responsible for handling various routine tasks essential for the smooth functioning of the
organization. These tasks include:

1. Administrative and Personnel Duties: This involves managing paperwork, handling

employee-related matters such as scheduling, performance evaluations, and disciplinary
actions, and ensuring compliance with organizational policies and procedures.

2. Budgeting and Planning: They are responsible for creating and managing budgets for
their departments, both for the short term and long term. This includes allocating
resources effectively and planning for future needs.

3. Interactions with Other Departments: They interact with other departments within the
organization, as well as external entities, through various means such as meetings,
correspondence (letters, emails, memos), and informal discussions. This collaboration is
crucial for coordinating efforts and achieving organizational goals.

These activities may seem mundane, but they are vital for maintaining the efficiency and
effectiveness of the organization's operations.