Whether you are performing a technical records review on behalf of a lessor/owner or an airline
redelivering or accepting delivery of a previously leased aircraft or working as a CAMO engineer
reviewing a set of records on an aircraft coming out of storage, the review of the Airworthiness
Directives (AD’s) for compliance, the Hard Time (HT) component lists and the Last-Done-Next-
Due (LDND) are all an integral part of your role.
Aircraft Leasing & Maintenance Reserve Funds.
A large amount of the world’s aircraft is leased for operation; this is due to many factors including costs associated with an outright purchase.
If you lease an aircraft out then the cost of that asset you will want retained to the highest value so you have a viable asset that you can lease multiple times, convert, or sell in the future.
Aircraft Records & Component Type / Requirements for Lease Return.
The aircraft is comprised of many components and maintaining the serviceability of the components on an ongoing basis is carried out with an approved maintenance plan. While this plan will maintain airworthiness for the aircraft – a lease can be a little more restrictive.
The aircraft LOPA is a specification drawing of the interior design and layout of the cabin interior.
The LOPA will display the locations of the flight deck, attendant and passenger seats, lavatories, galleys, emergency equipment, windbreakers, and other monuments. The Emergency Equipment Listing (EEL) is included as part of the LOPA and lists the part
numbers of all emergency equipment.
If an airline wants to change the interior configuration of the cabin in a major way, they must do so through a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC).
The STC will generally cover the following changes:
· Seating Layout (LOPA)
· PSU Layout
· Emergency Equipment Layout
· Floor path marking system installation
· Carpet installation
· Curtin installations
· Monument installation and removal
Aircraft Components Return Conditions – Lease Review
When considering an aircraft lease return the components themselves are a very important consideration and can be complex due to how components are categorised.
The conditions of their return status will depend on the component type, such as condition being “like for like or better” or remaining life before maintenance is required.