PBN or Performance Based Navigation defines the navigation system performance requirements.
Common requirements are intended to ensure that there is worldwide commonality.
Area Navigation known as RNAV is a system which allows an aircraft to navigate in a way other than an airway; instead, we can fly a flight path. RNAV will use systems such as GPS, DME or inertial navigation systems as examples.
During a review of an aircraft lease return it is important to consider the structural repairs. A part of this review will consider the category of a repair and possible impact on the AMP (Approved Maintenance Programme); we can see repair categories below for an example:
Category A
Permanent Repair. The re inspection for this repair is covered in line with the inspection intervals as per the AMP (Approved Maintenance Programme) and need no reduced inspection intervals.
Category B
Permanent Repair. The re inspection for this repair is reduced and so attracts additional inspections to be incorporated into the AMP (Approved Maintenance Programme) in order to remain in a compliant condition for Airworthiness.
An “End of Lease Financial Adjustment” is a tool that can be used at the end of a lease period during the hand back process.
It is driven by an evaluation against the lease return conditions; is the aircraft being returned in a condition that is the same as when received, in a better condition or worse condition.
This consideration is not just cosmetic and includes evaluation of multiple factors such as LLP (Life Limited Part) remaining life or any other conditions that stipulate remaining life and or conditions of installation.
When we speak about LDND at an end of lease (EOL) review we are referencing a list of all maintenance tasks applicable to the aircraft being returned and we are outlining when any given task has been last performed and when it is next due. The LDND is based on the approved maintenance program (AMP) of the airline and is an important document that illustrates the current maintenance state of an aircraft.
The technical consultant will request a CERTIFIED list from the current operator (lessee) and typically will download this to an excel document in order to easily identify the Task Number or MPD number along with the Task Code (this details what must be done) and the intervals by which it is required either in Calendar Days, Flight Hours or Flight Cycles.
An aircraft along with many of its components / parts are highly valuable assets as such there is an interest in maintaining that value as best as we can during the life of that aircraft and or component / parts.
To accommodate this requirement a lessor when leasing an aircraft to a lessee will want to ensure that the lessee maintains the asset value on their behalf during that specific lease period.
This is why a “lease agreement” is such an important document; the lease agreement is not driven by Airworthiness requirements, but rather by requirements to maintain asset value.