Subpart G -- Operator Maintenance Requirements
91.601Purpose
- (a) This subpart prescribes the requirements to maintain New Zealand registered aircraft operating within or outside of New Zealand.
- (b) Except for the following, this subpart does not apply to a microlight aircraft that is maintained under Part 103:
- (1) rule 91.605(e)(2) (test and inspection of automatic pressure altitude reporting system if the microlight aircraft is equipped with a surveillance transponder):
- (2) rule 91.605(e)(3) (surveillance transponder):
- (3) rule 91.605(e)(8) (flotation equipment):
- (4) rule 91.616 (maintenance logbook - Class 2 microlight aircraft):
- (5) rule 91.617 (maintenance records - Class 2 microlight aircraft):
- (6) rule 91.621 (transfer of maintenance records):
- (7) rule 91.623 (retention of records).
- (c) Except for the following, this subpart does not apply to a glider that is maintained under Part 104:
- (1) rule 91.605(e) (maintenance of instruments and equipment):
- (2) rule 91.613 (operational flight check):
- (3) rule 91.615 (annual review of airworthiness):
- (4) rule 91.616 (maintenance logbook):
- (5) rule 91.617 (maintenance records):
- (6) rule 91.621 (transfer of maintenance records):
- (7) rule 623 (retention of records).
91.602 Maintenance requirements before flight
- (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) and rule 91.611, a person must not operate an aircraft unless the requirements prescribed in rules 91.603, 91.605, and 91.615 have been complied with.
- (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to a person operating an aircraft if a special flight permit has been issued for the aircraft in accordance with Part 21.
91.603 General maintenance requirements
- (a) The operator of an aircraft must ensure that--
- (1) the aircraft is maintained in an airworthy condition; and
- (2) every applicable airworthiness directive is complied with in accordance with the requirements prescribed in Part 39; and
- (3) the aircraft is inspected under this Subpart; and
- (4) except for instruments and equipment that are permitted to be inoperative under rule 91.537, every defect is rectified before flight; and
- (5) any inoperative instrument or item of equipment that is permitted to be inoperative under rule 91.537, is repaired, replaced, removed, or inspected at the next inspection required by the maintenance programme under which the aircraft is maintained; and
- (6) maintenance on the aircraft is performed in accordance with the requirements prescribed in this Subpart, Part 43, and any other applicable rule; and
- (7) the aircraft is certified for release-to-service under Part 43 after the performance of any maintenance on the aircraft; and
- (8) every system that is required under Subpart F for indicating the presence of carbon monoxide in the cabin of the aircraft is serviceable and within any applicable life limit for the system.
- (b) The operator of an aircraft must ensure compliance with the airworthiness limitations mandated by the airworthiness authority of the State of Design in the instructions for continued airworthiness issued for the aircraft.
- (c) Except as provided in paragraphs (d) to (f), the operator of an aircraft must ensure compliance with--
- (1) the manufacturer's recommended overhaul intervals; and
- (2) for an aircraft that has a special category--exhibition airworthiness certificate or a special category--limited airworthiness certificate, the replacement of lifed components as specified in the maintenance programme for the aircraft.
- (d) Products and components may be operated beyond the manufacturer's recommended TBO if the operator complies with TBO escalation procedures that are detailed in a maintenance programme that is approved under Part 115, Part 119 or approved under rule 91.607.
- (e) Despite paragraph (d), a piston engine fitted to an aircraft that is not used for hire or reward operations may be operated beyond the manufacturer's recommended TBO if the piston engine is maintained in accordance with an engine TBO escalation programme that is acceptable to the Director.
- (f) Despite paragraph (d), a propeller fitted to an aircraft that is not used for air operations may be operated beyond the manufacturer's recommended calendar TBO if the propeller is inspected in accordance with methods acceptable to the Director at 5 yearly intervals, except that propellers must be overhauled at the manufacturer's recommended operating hours TBO.
91.605 Maintenance programmes and schedules
- (a) Subject to paragraphs (b), (c), and (d), the operator of an aircraft must maintain the aircraft under--
- (1) a maintenance programme approved under Part 115; or
- (2) a maintenance programme approved under Part 119; or
- (3) a maintenance programme approved under rule 91.607; or
- (4) the manufacturer's maintenance schedule; or
- (5) if the aircraft is powered by a piston engine and has a MCTOW of 2730 kg or less, a maintenance programme that is acceptable to the Director and includes at least the following:
- (i) details of the responsibilities and standards for maintenance of the aircraft in accordance with the applicable rule requirements:
- (ii) details of pre-flight checks:
- (iii) details of scheduled maintenance checks and inspections.
- (b) The operator of an aircraft that is--
- (1) used for air operations under the authority of an air operator certificate issued by the Director under the Act and Part 119 must maintain the aircraft under the maintenance programme that is required by Part 119; or
- (2) used for adventure aviation operations under the authority of an adventure aviation operator certificate issued by the Director under the Act and Part 115 must maintain the aircraft under the maintenance programme that is required by Part 115; or
- (3) issued with a special category airworthiness certificate must maintain the aircraft under a valid maintenance programme approved under rule 91.607 for the holder of the certificate of registration for the aircraft.
- (c) If the manufacturer's maintenance schedule referred to in paragraph (a)(4) does not provide for an aircraft that operates for less than 100 hours of time in service per year, the operator must ensure that the manufacturer's 100-hour inspection or an equivalent inspection is completed within the preceding 12 months.
- (d) If the Director determines that a manufacturer's maintenance schedule referred to in paragraph (a)(4) is deficient, the Director may require the operator to submit a maintenance programme for approval under rule 91.607.
- (e) Except as provided in paragraph (f) and rule 91.611, the operator of an aircraft must not operate the aircraft unless--
- (1) every aircraft radio station that is required to be installed in the aircraft under Subpart F for operations under IFR has been tested and inspected under Part 43, Appendix B within the preceding 24 months; and
- (2) every static pressure system, altimeter instrument, or automatic pressure altitude reporting system that is required to be installed in the aircraft under Subpart F, or required for a surveillance transponder installed in the aircraft, has been tested and inspected under Part 43, Appendix D--
- (i) within the preceding 24 months; and
- (ii) following any opening and closing of the static pressure system, except for the use of system drain and alternate static pressure valves, or where self-sealing disconnect coupling is provided; and
- (iii) following installation of, or maintenance on, the automatic pressure altitude reporting system where data correspondence error could be introduced; and
- (3) every surveillance transponder that is required to be installed in the aircraft under Subpart F has been tested and inspected, under Part 43, Appendix E within the preceding 24 months; and
- (4) every ELT or AELS that is required to be installed in the aircraft under Subpart F--
- (i) has been tested and inspected under--
- (A) Appendix F of Part 43 within the previous 12 months or 100 hours of aircraft time in service, whichever is the sooner, or
- (B) for an aircraft maintained under a maintenance programme required by rule 119.63, the scheduled intervals, which must ,not be more than 12 months, as described in the approved maintenance programme; and
- (ii) has the battery replaced in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, when the life of the battery, as established by the manufacturer, has expired; and
- (5) every compass that is required to be installed in the aircraft under Subpart F has been calibrated--
- (i) within the preceding 24 months; and
- (ii) following any out of phase event that may affect the calibration of the compass unless the aircraft manufacturer specifies otherwise; and
- (6) every first aid kit that is required to be installed in the aircraft under Subpart F has been inspected--
- (i) within the preceding 12 months to ensure that appropriate quantities of items are included and time-expired items are replaced; and
- (ii) after every reported use to ensure that appropriate quantities of items are included; and
- (7) every portable fire extinguisher that is required to be installed in the aircraft under Subpart F has been inspected for condition and tested in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions or other equivalent instructions acceptable to the Director within the preceding 12 months; and
- (8) all flotation equipment that is required to be installed in the aircraft under Subpart F has been inspected for condition and tested in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions or other equivalent instructions acceptable to the Director within the preceding 12 months; and
- (9) the aircraft's empty weight and centre of gravity is re-established if--
- (i) changes have been made to the aircraft that could affect the empty weight and centre of gravity; or
- (ii) the operator has any reason to suspect that the information in the aircraft's flight manual is no longer accurate; and
- (10) for a powered aircraft with a maximum certificated seating capacity of 4 or more seats, the aircraft has been weighed within the preceding 10 years.
- (f) The operator of an aircraft that is maintained under a maintenance programme referred to in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), or (a)(5) is not required to comply with any particular requirement in paragraph (e) if the maintenance programme for the aircraft includes a test, inspection, or other action that is equivalent to the particular requirement in paragraph (e).
- (g) The operator of an aircraft must--
- (1) identify in the maintenance logbook for the aircraft which maintenance option under paragraph (a) is to be used for the aircraft; and
- (2) if the maintenance programme is one that is approved under Part 119 or approved under rule 91.607, identify in the maintenance programme the person who is responsible for scheduling the maintenance that is required in the programme; and
- (3) if changing from the maintenance programme or option identified under paragraph (1) to another programme or option under paragraph (a), schedule the inspections required by the new programme or schedule, to provide for the continued airworthy condition of the aircraft; and
- (4) provide a copy of the applicable maintenance programme or schedule to the person who performs maintenance on the aircraft, and upon request to the Director.
- (h) The tests and inspections required by paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(2)(i), (e)(3), and the 12 month test and inspection requirement in paragraph (e)(4)(i)(A) do not need to be performed if--
- (1) the aircraft has been inspected for the grant of an airworthiness certificate under section 9 of the Act and Part 21 within the preceding 12 months; and
- (2) the applicable equipment was installed in the aircraft when the inspection specified in paragraph (1) was performed.
91.607 Approval of maintenance programmes
- (a) An applicant for the approval of a maintenance programme referred to in rule 91.605(a)(2) must complete form CAA 24091/02, and submit it to the Director together with the document required by paragraph (b) and a payment of the appropriate application fee prescribed by Regulations made under the Act.
- (b) The applicant for the approval of a maintenance programme must provide the Director with a document containing--
- (1) a description of the maintenance programme; and
- (2) procedures for maintenance control; and
- (3) procedures for the compilation and retention of records, reports, and technical reference material; and
- (4) instructions and procedures for the conduct of the maintenance for the particular aircraft type, including required inspections and tests; and
- (5) an inspection schedule that is consistent with--
- (i) the manufacturer's recommendations; and
- (ii) the operator's service experience; and
- (iii) the type of operation in which the aircraft is engaged; and
- (6) procedures for extending inspection intervals in accordance with rule 91.611, if applicable; and
- (7) procedures for assessing and controlling engine, propeller and component TBO escalations, if applicable; and
- (8) procedures for changing an inspection interval on the basis of service experience, if applicable; and
- (9) sample inspection forms, and instructions for their use; and
- (10) sample reports and records, and instructions for their use.
- (c) The Director may approve a maintenance programme for an applicant if the Director is satisfied that--
- (1) the programme meets the requirements of paragraph (b); and
- (2) the approval of the maintenance programme is not contrary to the interests of aviation safety.
- (d) An applicant for approval of a maintenance programme for an aircraft that has a special category--exhibition airworthiness certificate or a special category--limited airworthiness certificate must, in addition to paragraph (b), provide the Director with a document containing--
- (1) details of a pre-flight inspection that must be carried out before the first flight of the day for the aircraft; and
- (2) details of a post-flight inspection if a post-flight inspection is specified by the manufacturer or recognised military authority for the aircraft type; and
- (3) details of an annual maintenance inspection; and
- (4) if applicable, a schedule of lifed components and their associated life as specified by--
- (i) the aircraft manufacturer; or
- (ii) a military authority acceptable to the Director; or
- (iii) the Director; and
- (5) provisions for ensuring the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft; and
- (6) additional inspections consistent with--
- (i) the manufacturer's recommendations; and
- (ii) service experience, including military operations; and
- (iii) the type of operations in which the aircraft is engaged; and
- (iv) the complexity of the aircraft.
- (e) A maintenance programme required by rule 91.605(b)(2) to which paragraph (d) applies must include the airframe, engines, propellers, rotors, appliances, survival equipment and emergency equipment.
- (f) Subject to any change that the Director may require under rule 609, a maintenance programme approved under paragraph (c) for an aircraft that has a special category airworthiness certificate is only valid for the period that the certificate of registration remains valid under rule 47.65.
91.609 Changes to maintenance programmes and schedules
- (a) An operator of an aircraft must, upon a written request from the Director, amend a maintenance programme or schedule for an aircraft if the Director considers that an amendment is necessary to satisfy the continuing airworthiness requirements for the aircraft.
- (b) If an operator discontinues a maintenance programme that is approved under rule 91.607, the operator must--
- (1) notify the Director in writing, within 7 days of the maintenance programme being discontinued; and
- (2) reschedule the inspections required by the new maintenance programme from the date or time, as applicable, that the equivalent inspection was last completed for the aircraft.
91.611 Inspection planning latitude
- (a) Unless expressly prohibited by these rules, an airworthiness directive, or a manufacturer's mandatory inspection requirement, the inspection intervals required by rule 91.605 may be extended by up to 10% to allow for maintenance planning purposes.
- (b) If the extension provisions of paragraph (a) are applied to an aircraft--
- (1) the new extended date, or aircraft operating hours or cycles, whichever is applicable, for the inspection must be recorded in the appropriate maintenance logbook or technical log; and
- (2) the next required inspection interval must start from the beginning of the extension period to ensure that any extension that is applied to an inspection interval is not cumulative.
91.613 Operational flight check
- (a) A person performing an operational flight check that is required by rule 43.103(a)(4)(i) must--
- (1) hold a valid pilot licence and type rating for the aircraft; and
- (2) check that the flight characteristics of the aircraft have not appreciably changed as a result of the maintenance; and
- (3) record any defects found during the operational flight check in the technical log.
- (b) A person performing an operational flight check under paragraph (a) must not carry any other person on the aircraft unless that person is required to perform an essential function that is associated with the flight check.
91.615 Review of airworthiness
- (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c), a person must not operate an aircraft unless--
- (1) a review of airworthiness for the aircraft has been certified as completed under Subpart D of Part 43 within--
- (i) the preceding 12 months; or
- (ii) for an aircraft that is not operated for hire or reward, the preceding 24 months; or
- (2) the aircraft has been issued with an airworthiness certificate under Part 21 within the preceding 12 months.
- (aa) A review of airworthiness may be required more frequently than the period specified in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) in a particular case, if the Director determines that it is in the interests of aviation safety.
- (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply to an aircraft that is operated under the
following Parts:
- (1) Part 121:
- (2) Part 125:
- (3) Part 135 if the aircraft is subject to a maintenance review under rule 135.415(a).
- (c) A person may operate an aircraft after the date at which a review of airworthiness is required under paragraph (a) or paragraph (aa)--
- (1) for a period of not more than 36 days to allow for maintenance planning purposes if a new extended date, within the 36 day period, for the review of airworthiness is recorded in the technical log; or
- (2) if the sole purpose of operating the aircraft is to enable the review of airworthiness to be completed.
91.616 Maintenance logbooks
- An operator of an aircraft, except a Class 1 microlight aeroplane, must--
- (1) provide appropriate maintenance logbooks for the aircraft; and
- (2) ensure that the maintenance logbooks are not carried in the aircraft.
91.617 Maintenance records
- (a) An operator of an aircraft, except a Class 1 microlight aeroplane, must ensure that for each airframe, and each product and component that has a finite life or a TBO recommended by the manufacturer, accurate records are compiled in the appropriate maintenance logbook for the total time-in-service, and if applicable the total cycles.
- (b) An operator of an aircraft, except a Class 1 microlight aeroplane, must ensure that for each product and component, the maintenance records required under rule 43.69 are compiled and retained.
- (c) An operator of an aircraft that is involved in an accident must ensure that descriptive details of the circumstances of the accident, and descriptive details of the resultant damage to the aircraft are recorded in the appropriate maintenance logbook.
- (d) The records required in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) may be kept in plain language form, or in coded form provided that the coded form provides for the preservation and retrieval of information that is required to be recorded.
91.619 Technical log
- (a) Except as provided in paragraph (c), the operator of an aircraft must provide a technical log for the aircraft with provision for recording the following information:
- (1) the name of the operator:
- (2) the registration mark, type, and model of the aircraft:
- (3) the identity of the maintenance programme or schedule required under rule 605(a), to which the aircraft is maintained:
- (4) a statement of the maintenance status of the aircraft including--
- (i) the identity of the next scheduled inspection and the date or hours due; and
- (ii) any requirement under rule 43.103(a)(4)(i) for an operational flight check to be carried out:
- (5) the date or hours at which any other maintenance is due prior to the next scheduled inspection:
- (6) the date at which the next annual review of airworthiness or maintenance review is due:
- (7) the daily hours flown:
- (8) the total time in service:
- (9) if applicable,--
- (i) the daily cycles used; and
- (ii) the total cycles:
- (10) any defects found during the pre-flight inspection, during a flight, or following a flight:
- (11) details of the rectification of defects that occur between scheduled inspections and the certification for release-to-service for the rectification:
- (12) details of any deferred rectification of defects including any instruments and equipment that are inoperative in accordance with rule 91.537.
- (b) The operator of an aircraft must ensure that the information specified in paragraph (a) is accurately recorded in the technical log and that the information is current.
- (c) The holder of an air operator certificate issued in accordance with Part 119 may record the following information in a format other than in the technical log, if that format and the associated procedures are acceptable to the Director, and the information is accurate and available to the pilot-in-command on request:
- (1) the identity of the next scheduled inspection and the date or hours due:
- (2) the date or hours at which any other maintenance is due prior to the next scheduled inspection:
- (3) the total time-in-service:
- (4) the total cycles.
91.621 Transfer of maintenance records
- The holder of a New Zealand certificate of registration for an aircraft who transfers the possession of the aircraft to another person in accordance with Part 47 must, at the time of the transfer of the aircraft, transfer to that person--
- (1) the records specified in rule 91.617(b); and
- (2) the records specified in rule 91.617(a) if they are not included in the records transferred under paragraph (1).
91.623 Retention of records
- (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c), the operator of an aircraft must retain the records specified in rule 91.617 for at least 12 months after the product or component is withdrawn from service.
- (b) The record of maintenance information required under rule 43.69(a)(1) only needs to be retained until the maintenance is repeated or superseded by other maintenance of equivalent scope and detail, or for a period of at least 5 years after the maintenance is performed, whichever occurs first.
- (c) Paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply to any maintenance record for an airframe, engine, propeller, rotor, or appliance of an aircraft that was required to be compiled under rule 627(a)(1) that was in force on 28 February 2007 and has been discarded before 1 March 2007 in accordance with rule 91.631(1) that was in force on 28 February 2007.
- (d) The operator of an aircraft must retain the technical log required under rule 91.619 for a period of at least 12 months after the date of the last entry in the technical log.