Aircraft Certification Staff Instruction (ACSI)

Airworthiness Authorities responsible for the issue of Aircraft Type Approvals for which Extended Range Operations (EROPS) Approvals have been sought are required to examine the propulsion system reliability. The published basis for EROPS approvals (AC120-42, CAP517 and TP6327) establish a problem oriented assessment board as the means of conducting that examination.

EROPS approvals have been granted or are under consideration for the following aircraft types:

Boeing 767
Airbus 300/310
Boeing 737
Aerospatiale ATR42
MD 80

In the case of aircraft types under the United States Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) jurisdiction, a single board has been formed. This board meets on an as required basis and makes findings against particular aircraft types as appropriate. The FAA has invited representatives of Airworthiness Authorities responsible for operations of the subject aircraft to attend board meetings.

The French "Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile" (DGAC) activities in connection with Airbus and Aerospatiale aircraft have formed separate Airbus and Aerospatiale Boards. Like the FAA, the DGAC has welcomed the participation of other Airworthiness Authorities in its board meetings.

ANM Aircraft Evaluation Group (Chairman)
ANM Aircraft Evaluation Group
ANM ACO (Propulsion Section)
ANE Standards Staff
ANE ACO (Propulsion Section)
ASW FISDO
ASW ACO (Propulsion Section)

1.2 Basis and Composition of the Airworthiness Branch (DAB) Board

Transport Canada's basis for making EROPS approvals is TP6327 which requires an assessment of the propulsion system reliability. Appendix A of TP6327 provides a means to accomplish the necessary review. Section A.1.7 of the appendix requires that the Board consider design approval data, operational statistics, effectiveness of corrective actions (design, operational and maintenance related) and environmental factors in making its review.

Appendix A of TP6327 contains a description of the function of the Board in section A.1.7.

2.0 PURPOSE OF THIS ASI

This ASI is provided to enable quick reference for engineers and inspectors called as Board members concerning their roles and responsibilities relating to PSRAB activity. The roles and responsibilities detailed in this ASI relate to PSRAB activity only. Board members may also be required to perform other EROPS related tasks called for in TP6327 and ASI#20. This ASI does not change existing divisional scope of activity, functional mandate or delegations.

3.0 FUNCTIONS AND SCOPE OF THE AIRWORTHINESS BRANCH PSRAB

3.1 Functions

Following applications for both design approval by an airframe manufacturer and an operational approval by an air carrier for EROPS, the PSRAB is the means by which Transport Canada discharges its responsibility under TP6327, to review the reliability of the propulsion system of the aircraft type. As a result of this review, a finding of acceptance for EROPS Approval of a particular configuration of propulsion system may be made. The approved configuration will be recorded by the Board and at subsequent meetings the Board may require changes in the aircraft type approved configuration.

3.2 Scope

The scope of activity of the Airworthiness Branch PSRAB will be limited to domestic aircraft which have been type approved by Transport Canada.

4.0 BOARD MEMBERSHIP

The Engineering, Continuing Airworthiness and Airworthness Inspection Divisions of the Airworthiness Branch will be represented on the Board. Regional airworthiness inspectors will be requested to participate where findings of the Board can be expected to require their expertise or follow up activity. The Board will be expected to consult with other Division Chiefs in DAB where activity in those Divisions is affected or required.

When appropriate the Director of Airworthiness will call together a Board comprised of:

ABE (Coordination and Chairman)
ABM
ABC
Regional Air Carrier Maintenance Inspector
(NARDZ - For Air Canada as example)
Where appropriate, the Board will request participation of:
ABP (Coordination with ongoing TA programs)
ABS (Standards development)
ABF (Performance, procedures and MMEL issues).

TP6327 Appendix A item A.1.7(d) states the Board's policy towards Foreign Airworthiness Authorities, who will be offered the opportunity to participate in the Board's activity relating to foreign products under consideration, and operations under their cognizance.

5.0 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF BOARD MEMEBERS

This section of the ASI details the roles and responsibilities of Board members in connection with PSRAB activity only. PSRAB activities are part of normal type approval, inspection and continuing surveillance activities and are therefore considered part of existing divisional mandate.

5.1 Engineering Division (ABE)

Upon notification by DAB, ABE will nominate engineering specialists to sit on the Board and, where necessary, delegate the responsibility to act as Board Chairman.

5.1.1 Board Chairman will notify all Board members of meetings in advance (15 working days or more). The Chairman will consolidate advance information and distribute to participants prior to meeting (5 days or more) along with an agenda proposal. The Chairman is responsible for the orderly conduct of the meeting and timely completion of agenda items. It is the responsibility of the Chairman to establish a record of all significant discussion items, all contentious issues remaining open and all Board findings. This record will be made available in the form of discussion record and findings to DAB and all meeting participants.

For its work, the Board will require data from manufacturers and operators; the Board Chairman will ensure adequate industry representation during the appropriate parts of the meetings.

5.1.2 Upon notification by the PSRAB Chairman, the engineering section will arrange to be represented by the engineer specialist who is familiar with the aircraft under review. The purpose of specialist engineer representation on the Board is to facilitate Board decisions concerning the nature and gravity of service problems. The engineering specialist is also expected to enable decisions concerning efficacy and design approval status of proposed corrective actions.

5.2 Inspection Division (ABM)

Upon request by ABE, ABM will arrange to be represented by airworthiness inspectors who are familiar with the aircraft and engine type under consideration and with the associated manufacturers. The purpose of ABM representation is to facilitate Board's decisions concerning the nature and gravity of manufacturing and service problems. The airworthiness inspection board members are also expected to enable decisions regarding the practicality and implementation of proposed corrective actions. Ongoing liaison with responsible Regional Air Carrier Inspection, who are members of the Board, is required.

5.3 Continuing Airworthiness

Upon request by ABE, ABC will appoint a representative,who will provide a summary of the in-service history of the aircraft/engine combinations under review by the Board as detailed in TP6327 (ref. section 2.7 Type Design Monitoring and Continued Airworthiness and Appendix A item. A.1.5). When PSRAB findings indicate special EROPS continuing airworthiness corrective measures are to be taken, action items will be recorded for ABC who will act as OPI for their implementation in conjunction with affected Divisions within the Branch in the normal way (e.g. A.D., configuration control document).

ABC's role of collecting data and making summaries available to Board members in advance of meetings is considered a special role in the EROPS context but within its normal mandate.

5.4 Other Divisions

When in receipt of an information copy of the proposed agenda, ABP, ABS, ABF and ABA, will notify the Board Chairman of items of particular interest and indicate their attendance at the meeting. Further, upon receipt of a copy of the meeting summary and Board findings, the listed Divisions will notify the Board Chairman of any responses to action items or to review issues of special interest to that Division.

5.5 Regional Air Carrier Inspector

When requested by ABE, the Region (or Regions) in which the subject aircraft are registered will be represented by the Air Carrier Inspector (or delegate) to provide first hand knowledge, where possible, to the Board of the operational occurrences and to enable direct feedback concerning trouble shooting and corrective activities at the line operation level.

6.0 CONDUCT OF MEETINGS

6.1 Attendance

In addition to the Board members listed in Section 4 of this ASI, representatives of the airframe and engine manufacturer will be invited to attend and provide details of service occurrences, corrective actions and substantiating data. It will be the responsibility of the Board Chairman to issue invitations accordingly.

6.2 Format

It is anticipated that the meetings will be conducted in several phases and in two configurations. A short closed session with TCAG personnel (and any invited Foreign Airworthiness Authority representatives when applicable) to review the accumulated information and to establish the Board goals for that meeting. The Board will then meet in open session and accept submissions from the manufacturers. This data will be reviewed by the Board with the manufacturers and where consensus decisions are possible, findings will be recorded. Where controversial issues cannot be resolved, the Chairman may request a TCAG closed session in an attempt to establish findings. Where issues remain open it will be incumbent upon the Chairman to indicate the means by which the item may be closed.

6.3 Work Sheets

TP6327 requires that the review undertaken should consider all possible problems and use operating statistics as a guide. Once the data from ABC and the manufacturer has been presented, the Board will analyse the data as indicated in TP6327 Appendix A, item A.1.7.

The analysis will be facilitated by the use of the PSRAB worksheet, attached as appendix A of this ASI.

7.0 DECISIONS AND FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES

All findings of the Board are rendered in the form of recommendations to DAB. The following will be available in support of those findings:

Propulsion system reliability report in accordance with TP6327, Appendix D.
Supplementary in-service airworthiness data from ABC.
Submissions to the PSRAB from the aircraft and engine manufacturer.
Record of any significant discussion items from the Board meetings.
Completed work sheets.

8.0 RELATED ACTIVITIES

It may be anticipated that Board discussions will require aircraft configuration changes, since approval for the operator to continue in EROPS is dependent upon conformity to that configuration. No mandatory action is anticipated beyond a conformity inspection when appropriate. Should the Board decide that EROPS should be suspended, this and any other follow-up activity will be accomplished in accordance with ASI 20.

Original signed by:

James A. Torck
Director Airworthiness Branch

Appendix A

PSRAB Worksheet

Link to PSRAB Worksheet

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