Conducting Calibration of Tools and Equipment Inspection

Transcription

1 1. Objective 1.1 To provide an inspection program and a program covering other maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations that includes procedures, standards, and limits necessary for the periodic inspection and calibration of precision tools, measuring devices, and test equipment. 1.2 This section provides guidance for inspecting calibration of test equipment and tools used during maintenance procedures To determine the effectiveness of the AMO procedures in meeting the desired output of the process To determine if the AMO follows its procedures for the control of calibrated tools and test equipment process To determine if there were any changes in the personnel identified by the certificate holder/ repair station as having responsibility and/or authority for the calibrated tools and test equipment process. 2. General An AMO facility certified to maintain aircraft and equipment must have test equipment and tools suitable to perform that maintenance. Regardless of the type of equipment being used, the minimum test equipment necessary to perform the maintenance, as required by the manufacturer, is acceptable. 2.1 Test Equipment Equivalency. Normally, test equipment which is equivalent to that recommended by the appliance or aircraft manufacturer will be accepted. 2.2 Test Equipment Updating. State-of-the-art advances often affect the modes and parameters of avionics equipment. Therefore, previously accepted test equipment may need to be modified to ensure compatibility with any new equipment used. Page 1 of 6

2 2.3 Test Equipment Calibration. The regulations require that maintenance facilities test the test equipment at regular intervals to ensure correct calibration National institute of standards and technology traceability can be verified by reviewing test equipment calibration records for references to national institute of standards and technology test report numbers. These numbers certify traceability of the equipment used in calibration If the AMO uses a standard for performing calibration, that standard can not be used to perform maintenance The calibration intervals for test equipment will vary with the type of equipment, environment, and use. The accepted industry practice for calibration intervals is usually 1 year. 2.4 Coordination requirements. This task may require coordination with the manufacturer. 3. Reference Material, Forms & Job-Aids 3.1 ANR.RS ANR.OPS.134(2) 3.3 AP A Calibration of Test Equipment 4. Process 4.1 To accomplish this procedure, the inspector will ensure that the certificate holder AMO adhered to its policies and procedures for the inspection and calibration of precision tools, measuring devices, and test equipment. The inspector will conduct spot checks of inspected and calibrated precision tools, measuring devices, and test equipment used in forming the basis for product acceptance or for making an airworthiness determination and review the associated calibration records. Page 2 of 6

3 4.2 Airworthiness determinations means performing an approval for return to service or airworthiness release. 4.3 Standard(s) (calibration standard) encompasses both measurement standards and documentary (paper) standards. 4.4 Measurement standard is an object, artifact, measurement equipment, system, or experiment that stores, embodies, otherwise provides a physical quantity, which serves as the basis for measurements of the quantity. A primary, secondary, reference or transfer standard used to inspect or calibrate other measurement devices. 4.5 Paper standard is a document describing the operations and processes that must be performed in order for a particular end to be achieved, including specific specifications. 4.6 Traceability is a characteristic of a calibration, analogous to a pedigree. A traceable calibration is achieved when each measurement standard, in a hierarchy stretching back directly or indirectly to the Standards Institution of Israel, was itself properly calibrated using the appropriate paper standard, and the results properly documented. NOTE: When a precision tool, measurement device, or test equipment is not calibrated within its full range (specification). For example, a voltmeter has a full range from 0-20,000 volts and the documented evidence reveals it was calibrated only from volt range. When one or more functions of a multifunctional precision tool, measurement device, or test equipment is not calibrated. For example, a multimeter (single device) that can measure volts, amps, ohms, and temperature was calibrated with the exception of the temperature function. 4.7 Review the certificate holder's / repair station policies, procedures, instructions, and information for the Control of Calibrated Tools and Test Equipment process. 4.8 Review the last accomplished inspection for this element with emphasis on the controls, process measurements, and interface attribute section responses. Page 3 of 6

4 4.9 Observe the certificate holder's / repair station Control of Calibrated Tools and Test Equipment process to gain an understanding of the procedures, instructions, and information Discuss the Control of Calibrated Tools and Test Equipment process with the personnel (other than management) who perform the duties and responsibilities required by the program Determine whether the following performance measures were met: Users of precision tools, measuring devices, or test equipment were able to determine the current inspection or calibration status before their use The certificate holder / AMO adequately monitors the Control of Calibrated Tools and Test Equipment process The certificate holder / AMO have the appropriate inspection and calibration standards for the Control of Calibrated Tools and Test Equipment The certificate holder's / AMO system for the Control of Calibrated Tools and Test Equipment process is current Personnel who performed inspections and calibrations of precision tools, measuring devices, and test equipment are properly trained The certificate holder's / AMO frequency of inspections and calibration of precision tools, measuring devices, and test equipment is adequate The records (i.e., test reports, inspection/calibration reports, or certificates) provide sufficient information to verify that the measurement standards used for inspections or calibrations of precision tools, measuring devices, and test equipment are traceable (directly or indirectly) to the Standards Institution of Israel (Israeli Laboratory Accreditation Laboratory) or the manufacturer's standards The precision tools, measuring devices, and test equipment used for forming the basis of product acceptance or for making an airworthiness determination are within the inspection or calibration intervals Calibration records of precision tools, measuring devices, and test equipment that have received limited calibrations and are used for forming the basis of product acceptance or making an airworthiness determination identified as limited calibrations. Page 4 of 6

5 Users are able to determine, before their use, that limited calibrations were performed on precision tools, measuring devices, or test equipment used for forming the basis for product acceptance or making an airworthiness determination In-service precision tools, measuring devices, and test equipment within the inspection and calibration intervals specified in the certificate holder's / repair station Control of Calibrated Tools and Test Equipment process In-service precision tools, measuring devices, and test equipment within the inspection and calibration specifications in accordance with the certificate holder's / repair station Control of Calibrated Tools and Test Equipment process The environmental conditions and controls followed during the inspection and calibration of precision tools, measuring devices, and test equipment Precision tools, measuring devices, and test equipment that were recalled or removed from service, recalled or removed in accordance with the certificate holder's / repair station Control of Calibrated Tools and Test Equipment process The calibration records for equivalent precision tools, measuring devices, and test equipment reveal the same calibration standards and specifications as recommended by the equipment manufacturer of the aeronautical product The storage, handling and transporting of precision tools, measuring devices, and test equipment performed in accordance with the certificate holder's/ repair station program The certificate holder's /AMO policies, procedures, instructions, and information for the Control of Calibrated Tools and Test Equipment process followed The records for the Control of Calibrated Tools and Test Equipment process comply with the instructions provided by the certificate holder/ repair station Page 5 of 6

6 5. TASK OUTCOME Complete the Task. Completion of this task will result in one the following: Sending a letter to the maintenance organization documenting all deficiencies and initiating an Enforcement Investigation Report, if necessary; or A satisfactory inspection with no deficiencies. The PI and all the team members will certify by signatures the following statement. Document Task File all supporting paperwork in the certificate holder s file. Update the OpSpecs as required. Future Activities Schedule and conduct follow-up inspections as applicable. Page 6 of 6