FAA Supplemental Type Certificate Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of degaussing in the context of historical applications?

To destroy data held on magnetic data storage

To enhance the color of defects under inspection

To reduce ships' magnetic signatures (correct)

To improve the strength of magnetic fields

What is the purpose of the bias field in degaussing?

To induce a known small magnetic field (correct)

To completely eliminate all magnetic fields

To enhance the visibility of defects in inspection

To magnetize components for operational use

What distinguishes a D-check from an A-check in aircraft maintenance?

D-checks require major disassembly and inspection. (correct)

D-checks are performed more frequently than A-checks.

D-checks involve only visual inspections.

A-checks are more comprehensive than D-checks.

Which of the following materials can NOT be inspected using penetrant inspection?

Rubber Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario would necessitate a non-routine inspection?

Ingestion of birds into the engine Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of Magnaglo inspection?

It utilizes a fluorescent particle solution under black light Signup and view all the answers

What must be done to a part after Magnaglo inspection?

Demagnetize and rinse with a cleaning solvent Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the continuous maintenance program used by airlines?

To combine both scheduled and unscheduled inspections Signup and view all the answers

What are the three categories of inspection methods used during engine maintenance?

Visual, dimensional, and structural NDT Signup and view all the answers

What kind of defects can penetrant inspection typically detect?

Surface cracks or porosity Signup and view all the answers

How frequently do A-checks typically occur compared to D-checks?

More often than D-checks Signup and view all the answers

In the context of testing methods, which material is best suited for Magnaglo inspection?

Copper Signup and view all the answers

What ratio of Magnaglo paste to light oil is used in the inspection solution?

0.10 to 0.25 ounces per gallon Signup and view all the answers

What is a key reason for conducting inspections after foreign object damage?

To prevent potential blade failures Signup and view all the answers

What type of inspection may often initially not reveal damage to the engine?

Non-routine inspections post-incident Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of visual inspections in engine maintenance?

To detect many defects and determine airworthiness Signup and view all the answers

What is defined as an interruption in the normal physical structure of a part?

Discontinuity Signup and view all the answers

How does the indicating medium form an outline of the discontinuity?

By adhering to magnetic particles due to flux leakage Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a discontinuity is not open to the surface?

Fewer particles are held in place. Signup and view all the answers

What term refers to the ease with which magnetic flux can be established in a circuit?

Permeability Signup and view all the answers

What kind of discontinuity would show the most pronounced indication on the surface?

An open surface discontinuity Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of insufficient flux leakage at a discontinuity?

A faint and less sharply defined indication Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT affect the usefulness of a part?

Indicating medium Signup and view all the answers

What is likely to happen if the discontinuity is very far below the surface?

Flux leakage may be non-existent Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)?

To describe methods allowing an aircraft to return to service without extra testing. Signup and view all the answers

Who can conduct the inspection required before an aircraft returns to service after an STC has been obtained?

An FAA airworthiness inspector or a qualified maintenance technician. Signup and view all the answers

Which form is specifically used for a Major Repair and Alteration?

FAA 337 Signup and view all the answers

What must be done with maintenance release documents after completing a maintenance task?

They should be retained with the aircraft’s maintenance records. Signup and view all the answers

What is an FAA Form 8120-11 used to report?

Suspected unapproved parts. Signup and view all the answers

Which individual is NOT authorized to sign a maintenance release for certified aircraft?

A licensed pilot without maintenance experience. Signup and view all the answers

What is a main disadvantage of penetrant inspection?

It can only detect defects that are open to the surface. Signup and view all the answers

Why must installation and maintenance instructions of an STC be retained?

They contain information for future repairs and alterations. Signup and view all the answers

What is another term for the maintenance release document?

Certificate of Release to Service (CRS). Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following steps is NOT part of the penetrant inspection process?

Casting a magnetic field. Signup and view all the answers

What type of light is used in fluorescent penetrant inspection?

Black (ultraviolet) light. Signup and view all the answers

Dye penetrant inspection is advantageous primarily because:

It does not require special equipment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the developer in the penetrant inspection process?

To enhance visibility of the defect. Signup and view all the answers

When is magnetic particle inspection generally recommended?

When the part in question is magnetic. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of penetrant inspection uses fluorescent dyes?

Fluorescent penetrant inspection. Signup and view all the answers

What does the presence of fatigue cracks indicate?

Repeated stress or strain on the material. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)

An STC outlines methods and techniques for aircraft return to service without additional engineering or flight testing.
A list of approved STCs can be found on the FAA website under the Summary of Supplemental Type Certificates
After obtaining an STC, follow instructions precisely and document all changes on FAA Form 337.
Prior to returning an aircraft to service, ensure all STC conditions are met through inspection by an FAA Inspector, IA-holding technician, certified repair station, or another approved entity.
Keep installation and maintenance instructions for each STC with the aircraft records.

FAA Forms and Records

Commonly used FAA forms for maintenance include:
- FAA 337 - Major repair & Alteration (Airframe, Powerplant, Propeller or Appliance)
- 8130-3 - Authorized Release Certificate
- 8130-6 - Application for Airworthiness Certificate
- 8610-1 - Mechanic's Application for Inspection Authorization
- 8120-11 - Suspected Unapproved Parts Report
- 8710-1 - Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application

Maintenance Release

A person authorized by the national airworthiness authority signs a maintenance release, certifying maintenance compliance with applicable requirements.
For certified aircraft, this may be an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer or Technician.
For amateur-built aircraft, the owner or builder may sign the release.
A maintenance release can be known as a certificate of release to service (CRS).

Maintenance Record Entries

Federal Aviation Regulations mandate a permanent maintenance record for aircraft, with entries made for each completed inspection.
The maintenance program for commercially operated aircraft is detailed in the operator's approved specifications (Op Specs).
Airlines use a continuous maintenance program with routine and detailed inspections.
"Checks" (A-check, B-check, C-check, and D-checks) involve increasing levels of detail.
- A-checks are least comprehensive and occur frequently.
- D-checks are highly comprehensive, involving disassembly, overhaul, and system/component inspection. They occur less frequently, typically three to six times throughout an aircraft's service life.

Non-routine Inspection

A non-routine inspection is required following component failures or incidents that could potentially damage an engine.
Triggering events include:
- Ingestion of birds, ice, or foreign objects.
- Temperature or RPM over limit incidents.
Even if immediate engine performance issues are not evident, an inspection is vital.
Delayed inspection of foreign object damage, for instance, can result in blade failure, causing further damage or engine destruction.

Methods of Inspection

Engine part inspection during maintenance/overhaul is categorized into three types:
- Visual
- Dimensional
- Structural NDT (Non-destructive Testing)

Visual Inspection

Visual inspection is often sufficient for detecting many defects on engine components, allowing for an airworthiness determination.

Magnetic Particle Inspection

Magnetic particle inspection uses a magnetic field and ferromagnetic particles to detect surface and subsurface discontinuities in ferrous materials.
The inspection process involves magnetizing the part and applying a magnetic powder.
Discontinuities disrupt the magnetic field, causing particles to accumulate, creating an indication of the defect.
This method is effective for identifying cracks, seams, porosity, and other flaws.

Magnaglo Inspection

Magnaglo inspection involves using a fluorescent particle solution under black light, enhancing visibility and detection of smaller flaws.
This method is particularly suitable for gears, threaded parts, and aircraft engine components.

Liquid Penetrant Inspection

Penetrant inspection is a nondestructive testing method used to detect surface defects in nonporous materials like aluminum, magnesium, brass, copper, cast iron, stainless steel, titanium, ceramics, plastics, rubber, and glass.
It can detect cracks, porosity, and lack of bond between joined metals.
Since penetrant inspection relies on the penetrant entering open surface defects, magnetic particle inspection is generally preferred for magnetic materials.
Penetrant inspection involves applying a penetrating liquid that enters surface openings, becoming visible after processing.
The inspection is enhanced by using visible or fluorescent dyes.

Dye Penetrant Inspection

Dye penetrant inspection serves the same purpose as fluorescent penetrant inspection, but without requiring specialized UV light equipment.
It uses a penetrating liquid that is clearly visible to the inspector.

Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection

Fluorescent penetrant inspection utilizes a black light (UV lamp) to illuminate the fluorescent dye making defects more visible.
The process includes:
- Thorough surface cleaning.
- Penetrant application.
- Penetrant removal with cleaner or emulsifier.
- Part drying.
- Developer application.
- Inspection and interpretation of results.

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Description

This quiz covers the key aspects of Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) related to aircraft return to service without additional flight testing. You will learn about the necessary FAA forms, documentation procedures, and the roles of various approved entities in ensuring compliance with STC conditions. Test your knowledge on FAA regulations and procedures regarding aircraft maintenance.