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VOLUME 6 SURVEILLANCE
CHAPTER 9 PART 145 INSPECTIONS
Section 8 Inspect a Part 145 Repair Stations Housing and Facilities

6-1773 PROGRAM TRACKING AND REPORTING SUBSYSTEM (PTRS) ACTIVITY

CODES.
A. Maintenance: 3657.
B. Avionics: 5657.
6-1774 OBJECTIVE. This section provides guidance for inspecting the adequacy of
repair station facilities.
6-1775 GENERAL.
A. Certificated Repair Station (CRS) Accommodations. The CRS must provide
facilities to accommodate equipment, materials, and personnel needed to properly perform
maintenance, preventive maintenance, alterations of articles, or the specialized services for the
rating it receives. When inspecting the repair station, the aviation safety inspector (ASI) should
determine which items apply, based on the complexity of the facility and the level of ratings.
B. Line Maintenance Authorization Locations. Repair stations with line maintenance
authorization locations must also meet these requirements, except for Title 14 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 145, 145.205(d) exempting repair stations from
145.103(b).
6-1776 COORDINATION REQUIREMENTS. If the repair station has an assigned principal
maintenance inspector (PMI) and a principal avionics inspector (PAI), both inspectors should
coordinate this inspection with each other.
6-1777 REFERENCES, FORMS, AND JOB AIDS.
A. References (current editions):

Part 145.
Advisory Circular (AC) 43-15, Recommended Guidelines for Instrument Shops.
AC 43-214, Repairs and Alterations to Composite and Bonded Aircraft Structure.

B. Forms. None.
C. Job Aids. Repair Station Inspection Checklist at
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/afs/afs300.

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6-1778 PROCEDURES.
A. Review Applicable Information. Before the inspection, the principal inspector (PI)
should carefully review:
1) Part 145.
2) The Repair Station Manual (RSM)/Quality Control Manual (QCM).
3) Operations specifications (OpSpecs), to include OpSpec A101, Additional Fixed
Locations, if applicable.
4) The Safety Performance Analysis System (SPAS). For additional information on
SPAS data, see Volume 6, Chapter 9, Section 1, paragraph 6-1630.
5) The enhanced Vital Information Database (eVID).
6) The certificate-holding district office (CHDO) file.
B. Verify Segregation and Protection of Parts. Verify that each workspace has areas
for the proper segregation and protection of parts and subassemblies during all phases of
maintenance, preventive maintenance, or alterations. Use the Repair Station Inspection Checklist
to verify the following:
1) The differences between serviceable and unserviceable components, parts, and
material must be clearly distinguishable throughout each process. Repair stations may
accomplish this with suitable racks, hoists, trays, stands, or other means of segregation for
storing and protecting all articles.
2) Repair stations should situate environmentally hazardous or sensitive operations
so they do not adversely affect other maintenance or alteration of articles or activities. Examples
of these operations are: avionics work, battery maintenance, painting, cleaning, welding, and
machining.
3) If the facility deals in non-aircraft parts, materials, or maintenance activities
outside those normally performed at the repair station, the facility should segregate the aircraft
function from other functions to preclude a repair station using unapproved parts or materials on
an aircraft.
4) Repair stations must segregate articles and materials stocked for installation from
articles and materials undergoing maintenance, preventive maintenance, or alteration.
C. Determine Adequacy of Environmental Conditions. The repair station must have
sufficient ventilation, lighting, and control of temperature, humidity, and other climate
conditions to ensure personnel perform maintenance, preventive maintenance, or alterations to
required standards. In addition to reasonable heating, air conditioning, and lighting requirements,
verify the following maintenance environmental conditions:

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1) Instrument shop environmental conditions are in accordance with manufacturer

standards.
2) Composite layup and clean rooms are environmentally and operationally
controlled per the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or other Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA)-approved repair process.
3) Storage areas include proper storage for such items as flammables, sealants,
chemicals, tires, or tooling.
4) Lighting is adequate for the type of processes performed in each area.
5) While physically inspecting the repair station, verify that facility diagrams and
descriptions in the RSM are accurate. This includes any facilities used for spray painting,
avionics, engine or airframe repair, or any other work that would have special requirements. Pay
close attention to specific information detailed in the manual, such as:

The type of heating,

Lighting,
Equipment location,
Electrical, and
Compressed air outlets.

D. Check Human Factors. Repair stations must create a safe working environment that
will help prevent personnel injury and damage to customer property. The housing and facilities
should provide adequate security and fire protection. The PI should review the repair stations
safety procedures. The PI should also consider that poor housekeeping, or improper maintenance
of safety devices such as eyewash stations and fire extinguishers, is a good indicator of the
repair stations corporate culture.
NOTE: This inspection focuses on how the repair station follows its safety
policies and procedures. Outside the PIs jurisdiction are safety and health rules,
codes, and regulations, which vary from one state or county to another.
E. Inspect General Housekeeping. Inspect the repair station to determine that general
housekeeping will not contaminate component parts and subassemblies undergoing maintenance.
Repair stations should maintain all shops in a clean and orderly manner.
F. Analyze Findings. After completing the inspection, record all deficiencies and
determine appropriate corrective actions.
G. Conduct Debriefing. Brief the certificate holder on the inspection results. Discuss
any deficiencies and possible corrective actions. The ASI can find detailed instructions for
conducting this briefing in Volume 6, Chapter 9, Section 5.

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6-1779 TASK OUTCOMES.

A. Complete the PTRS Record.
1) Section IV of the PTRS Record. Enter an E in the Primary Area block. List
all deficiencies, findings, and irregularities noted during the inspection, using the appropriate
keywords in the drop-down menu of the Keyword block. For each keyword used, write a brief
description in the Comment block about the concern.
2) PTRS Activity Code 3657/5657, Overall Subsystem Evaluation. In section I,
the Assessment block, select the appropriate word picture number 1 through 10 in the
drop-down menu that best describes the condition of the repair station for the completed
inspection. Activities closed with an assessment of less than 3 must be resolved using the risk
management process (RMP). Guidance on the use of this tool can be found in Volume 6,
Chapter 9, Section 2.
B. Complete the Task. Completion of this task will result in one or more of the
following:

Opening the appropriate Organizational Technical Administration PTRS record to

track deficiency corrective actions.
Sending a letter to the operator documenting all deficiencies and initiating an
Enforcement Investigation Report (EIR), if necessary.
Starting an RMP record for assessment ratings of 1 or 2 on the PTRS record.
A satisfactory inspection with no deficiencies.

C. Document the Task. Place all supporting paperwork in the certificate holders
office file, including the completed applicable section (PTRS activity code 3657/5657) of the
Repair Station Inspection Checklist. This checklist must remain in the certificate holders office
file until an ASI repeats an inspection of this activity code. Update the eVID, as required.
6-1780 FUTURE ACTIVITIES. Schedule and conduct followup inspections, as applicable.
RESERVED. Paragraphs 6-1781 through 6-1794.