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

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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.

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During a “walkaround inspection” or an MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul)
task card inspection the damage on an aircraft will be assessed and then can end up
with one of two different requirements:

1. Damage requiring a physical repair or
2. Damage not requiring a physical repair.

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Aircraft Lease Transition – Certified Status Lists

The certified status lists are very important documents as they provide information on much of the aircraft and essentially, they directly relate to its compliance and airworthiness also.

Status lists will give an oversight for the aircraft and can be used to evidence that the aircraft is compliant for both airworthiness requirements, but also lease requirements which can be more restrictive – remember that just because an aircraft is airworthy does not mean it is compliant for lease return conditions in the contract.

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Maintenance Records Review – End of Lease – Maintenance Variations

An aircraft will have a maintenance plan that is specifically approved for that aircraft; certain aspects of the maintenance plan will be “customised” for its operation or environment with regards to additional maintenance tasks or the interval/threshold for a task being altered.

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