M.A.606(f) NDT/NDI personnel qualification

1.Non-destructive testing means such testing specified by the type certificate holder of the aircraft, engine or propeller in the M.A.401(b) or ML.A.401(b) maintenance data for in service aircraft/aircraft components for the purpose of determining the continued fitness of the product to operate safely.

2.Appropriately qualified means to level 1, 2 or 3 as defined by European Standard EN 4179 dependent upon the non-destructive testing function to be carried out.

3.Notwithstanding the fact that level 3 personnel may be qualified via EN 4179 to establish and authorise methods, techniques, etc., this does not permit such personnel to deviate from methods and techniques published in the maintenance data, unless the maintenance data expressly permits such deviation.

4.Notwithstanding the general references in EN 4179 to a national aerospace NDT board, all examinations should be conducted by personnel or organisations under the general control of such a board. In the absence of a national aerospace NDT board, examinations should be conducted by personnel or organisations under the general control of the NDT board of a Member State designated by the competent authority.

5.Particular non-destructive test means any one or more of the following: dye penetrant, magnetic particle, eddy current, ultrasonic and radiographic methods including X ray and gamma ray.

6.In addition it should be noted that new methods are and will be developed, such as, but not limited to thermography and shearography, which are not specifically addressed by EN 4179. Until such time as an agreed standard is established such methods should be carried out in accordance with the particular equipment manufacturers’ recommendations including any training and examination process to ensure competence of the personnel with the process.

7.Any approved maintenance organisation that carries out continued airworthiness non-destructive testing should establish qualification procedures for non-destructive testing.

8.Boroscoping and other techniques such as delamination coin tapping are non-destructive inspections rather than non-destructive testing. Notwithstanding such differentiation, approved maintenance organisation should establish a procedure to ensure that personnel who carry out and interpret such inspections are properly trained and assessed for their competence with the process. Non-destructive inspections, not being considered as non-destructive testing by M.A. Subpart F are not listed in Appendix IV to Part-M under class rating D1.

9.The referenced standards, methods, training and procedures should be specified in the maintenance organisation manual.

10.Any such personnel who intend to carry out and/or control a non-destructive test for which they were not qualified prior to the effective date of Part-M should qualify for such non-destructive test in accordance with EN 4179. In this context officially recognised standard means those standards established or published by an official body whether having legal personality or not, which are widely recognised by the air transport sector as constituting good practice.