An Aircraft Maintenance Programme (AMP) is an authorisation issued against a single tail or fleet of aircraft. The document describes or incorporates by reference the specific scheduled maintenance tasks and their frequency of completion, the associated maintenance procedures and related maintenance standards and practices necessary to preserve the airworthiness of those aircraft to which it applies.
An Operator organisation is accountable for the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft they operate and shall ensure that no flight take place unless the maintenance of the aircraft is performed in accordance with the applicable AMP. DASR M.A.302 and Appendix I to AMC M.A.302 describe the criteria and content of an AMP.
The AMP and any subsequent amendments shall be approved by DASA. Notwithstanding, a CAMO may perform changes to the AMP, if granted the privilege by DASA, under an indirect approval11 procedure established by the CAMO as part of their CAME submission.
The CAMO is responsible for the development and management of the AMP for the aircraft managed including any applicable Reliability Programme (RP) and shall present the AMP and its amendments to DASA for approval, unless covered by indirect approval procedure.
An application for an AMP shall be made to meet the minimum standards specified in DASR M.A.302 by an eligible organisation via a DASR Form 42 - Application for Initial Approval and Approval of Variation(s) to Approved Aircraft Maintenance Programme. In the Australian Defence context, the CAMO is eligible to be the applicant for an AMP on behalf of the MAO.
When reviewing an AMP application, DASA will consider all documentation in support of the programme and associated document dependencies, including applicable RP.
Upon receipt of a request for initial approval or variation to an existing platform AMP, DASA will initiate the task and engage with CASG RAMP team22 to secure SME support throughout the process. For changes and updates to the AMP that are within the indirect approval privilege held by the CAMO, DASA assessment will not be necessary. However, the updated AMP shall be submitted to DASA to assure that changes were executed within indirect approval privilege and update DASA AMP records.
A review of the AMP should be carried out utilising the AMP and RP Compliance Matrix designed to cover the requirements of DASR M.A.302 and Appendix I to AMC M.A.302. The assessment, carried out by DASA and RAMP teams, uses the Present, Suitable, Operating, and Effective (PSOE) methodology to identify that elements of the AMP are present and suitable to the scope, complexity and types of operations defined by the applicant. Based on the nature and quantity of any identified issues, a decision shall be made as to whether Approval of the AMP is recommended.
Where issues with the AMP are identified, DASA will consider the issues and decide if raising findings are warranted using O&E principles. This process is intended to establish agreement or otherwise with the issues that have been identified.
AMP approval is provided to the CAMO.
For AMP submissions, DASA and RAMP staff will conduct a review of the document for completeness. If insufficient data is provided, DASA will contact the CAMO to discuss additional requirements.
In the case where the AMP application may affect aircraft structural integrity or propulsion system integrity, specialist engineering input within DASA may be required.
For AMP applications it is advisable that applicants engage with DASA as early as possible as the review process and approval has a turnaround time of approximately 4 months.
The CAMO is responsible for the continuing validity of the AMP and associated RP. The AMP shall be subject to periodic reviews (at least annually) and amended accordingly when necessary. These reviews shall ensure that the AMP continues to be valid in light of the operating experience, directions from DASA, new and/or modified Instructions for Continuing Airworthiness (ICA) promulgated by the MTCH and any other organisation that publishes such data in accordance with DASR 21.
When granted indirect approval privilege under DASR M.A.711(d) the CAMO shall appoint a maintenance program approval employee (MPAE) to approve aircraft maintenance programs, or variations to an approved maintenance program.
The MPAE should be experienced in the development, management of a maintenance program for aircraft that are the same, or of a similar type, as the aircraft for which the employee is authorised and shall meet the minimum QT&E requirements of DASR AMC M.A.706(f).
MPAE shall be authorised by the CAMO, in writing, to approve a maintenance program and/or variations to a maintenance program on behalf of the CAMO in accordance with the procedures detailed in the CAME.
Once an AMP is approved by DASA, compliance assurance will be achieved through CAMO oversight and enforcement activities. Consistent with PSOE methodology, DASA will assess that elements of the AMP are operating and effective to the scope, complexity and types of operations defined by CAMO.
Through oversight and enforcement DASA can ascertain as whether the CAMO is meeting their obligations of conducting regular reviews of the AMP to ensure validity and use of indirect approval privilege.
DASA’s oversight processes related to CAMO approvals are contained in the DASA Instructions:
DASA(I) SAPO 01-002 - DASA Oversight (On-Site and Remote)
DASA(I) SAPO 01-009 - DASR Findings. These are available on the DASA intranet site
DASR M – Continuing Airworthiness Management
DASP Manual Volume 3 Chapter 6.6 – Structural and Propulsion System Integrity
DASP Manual Volume 3 Chapter 7.2.5 - Instructions for Continuing Airworthiness (ICA)