Maintenance schedule
A maintenance schedule sets the inspection interval an aircraft must follow.
- Every aircraft other than an ultra-light or hang-glider needs a schedule conforming to Standard 625 (CAR 605.86(1)(a)).
- The Minister approves a schedule that conforms to the Aircraft Equipment and Maintenance Standards (CAR 605.86(2)).
Approval (CAR 605.86(1)(b); TC AIM LRA 5.6.2; Standard 625 Appendix B(6)):
| Aircraft | Approval |
|---|---|
| CAR 605.86(1)(b) aircraft: Subpart 6 of Part IV or Part VII operations, large, turbine-powered pressurized, airship | Minister approval required, these aircraft only |
| Owners of non-commercial small aircraft and balloons using Appendix B plus C | Deemed approved; owner makes technical-record entry only |
Schedule by aircraft and operation:
| Aircraft | Operation | Schedule | Interval |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small aircraft (excl. pressurized turbine and balloons) | Non-commercial | Appendix B Part I, plus Appendix C | 12 months |
| Balloon | Non-commercial | Appendix B Part II, plus Appendix C | 12 months |
| Small aircraft | Commercial | Appendix D approved program, may be based on Appendix B Part I, plus Appendix C | Part I basis: 100 hours or 12 months, whichever comes first |
| Balloon | Commercial | Appendix B Part II, plus Appendix C | 100 hours |
| Large aircraft, pressurized turbine aircraft, airships, flight-training-unit or Part VII operations | Commercial or not | Appendix D approved program, including applicable Appendix C items | - |
Appendix B (Standard 625 Appendix B(1)):
- Part I: scheduled inspections for aircraft other than balloons.
- Part II: scheduled inspections for balloons.
- Either part needs Appendix C's out-of-phase tasks and equipment maintenance requirements.
Timing: times between maintenance activities count air time only, not total flight time (Standard 625.93(1)). Air time is defined in Flight time definitions.
Changing schedules:
- Deviate from the applicable schedule: submit a written request per the standards and demonstrate the deviation will not affect aviation safety (CAR 605.86(3)).
- Switch to a different schedule than the product's previous one (CAR 605.87):
- Inspect it to establish it on the new schedule.
- Establish the times remaining until each new-schedule action, per the standards.
Trap: deviation needs a written safety case to the Minister; switching needs an inspection plus re-established times remaining; neither is automatic or by technical-record entry alone.
References
- CARs 605.86
- CARs 605.87
- Standard 625.86
- Standard 625.93
- Standard 625 Appendix B
- TC AIM LRA 5.6.2