As Aviation Maintenance
Professionals, we all know that no matter what we do on the job there will be
paper work involved. Regardless of whether we are working a job, reading GMM
revisions or doing recurrent training, there is a paper trail attached to every
aspect of our jobs.
Airlines are constantly upgrading Information Technology,adding
new fleet types, changing GMM requirements and morphing maintenance programs.
The deluge of information
and paperwork changes an be maddening. It causes confusion and
frustration which can and has led to FAR violations,FAA licensing action,
discipline, and in some cases termination.
Experienced mechanics can look at a problem and often have the
solution before even glancing at a piece of paper.Therein lies the problem.
Regardless of the scope of the work, documentation is essential.
You must know your airlines’ paperwork and procedure requirements
and follow them. If there are discrepancies,bring them to management
immediately. Double check! Is the part you are installing effective for the tail
number you are working on? Do you have the correct manual references for the job
at hand? Are there“Lock Out Tag Out” procedures? Does the job you are performing
have GMM procedures
that must be followed along with your Maintenance Manual Reference?
Is there special tooling
or equipment required for the job, is it in good working condition and
are the calibration dates still good? And all of this must happen before you
ever pick up a wrench.
Even with the best of intentions, oversights can happen. If you
cannot perform the job as written, DON’T. If you don’t have the proper tooling,
don’t improvise. Document your work every step of the way. Don’t take short
cuts. Don’t sign for work you did not perform unless you are in compliance with
FAR 43.9 (http://ibt.io/far439) and your company’s paperwork policy regarding
signing for others’ work. Remember,if you sign for it, you own it. Report all
procedural discrepancies to management and use the ASAP/MSAP program at your
airline to report it. Most importantly, if you become aware of a mistake, report
it immediately and fill out an ASAP/MSAP report.
Many of us have been in the industry for two or three decades. We
have seen and adapted to constant changes in technology on the aircraft we
maintain. Along with those changes comes the ever-evolving paperwork which we
must adapt to as well. Pull your paperwork, follow your paperwork,question your
paperwork if it appears discrepant and, above all, Protect Your License.
