CONTENTS OF THE MAINTENANCE CHECK FLIGHT MANUAL The items to be covered in the manual for a ‘Level A’ maintenance check flight (MCF) with complex motor-powered aircraft should be as follows:
(a)General considerations:
(1)conditions requiring a MCF (e.g. heavy maintenance);
(2)appropriate maintenance release before the MCF;
(3)flight authorisation by the operator;
(4)process to develop a flight programme and procedures;
(5)relevant procedures to document MCFs in the aircraft records; and
(6)policy for the determination of a ‘Level A’ or ‘Level B’ MCF.
(b)Aircraft status:
(1)requirements for the status of the aircraft prior to departure (e.g. MEL, CDL and multiple defects) for the purpose of conducting an MCF;
(2)fuel loading, if applicable;
(3)mass and balance, if applicable; and
(4)specific test and safety equipment.
(c)Crew selection and other persons on board:
(1)qualifications;
(2)experience and recency;
(3)training; and
(4)persons on board.
(d)Briefings:
(1)briefing participants;
(2)specific pre-flight briefing topics:
(i)aircraft status,
(ii)summary of maintenance,
(iii)flight programme, specific procedures and limitations,
(iv)crew members’ responsibilities and coordination, and
(v)documents on board;
(3)information to ATC; and
(4)post-flight briefing.
(e)Contents of the flight programme and procedures: the flight programme should be thoroughly developed by the operator using applicable current data. It should contain the checks to be performed in-flight and may include ‘read and do’ checklists where practicable. The following items should be included in the overall procedure:
(1)in-flight briefings;
(2)limits (not to be exceeded);
(3)specific entry conditions;
(4)task-sharing and call-outs;
(5)potential risks and contingency plans;
(6)information to additional crew; and
(7)adequate available airspace and coordination with ATC.
(f)External conditions:
(1)weather and light conditions;
(2)terrain;
(3)ATC, airspace; and
(4)airport (runway, equipment)/operating site.
(g)Documentation:
(1)specific documentation on board;
(2)in-flight recordings;
(3)results of the MCF and related data; and
(4)accurate recording of the required maintenance actions after the flight.