Differences Between MRB & MPD

by Mohammad
(Tehran, Iran)

What are the differences between the Maintenance Review Board (MRB) and
Maintenance Planning Document (MPD) and which one should be used as a basis
for an operator's maintenance program?

ANSWER: When a new aircraft is being designed and produced, the aviation authority, the
manufacturer, and selected industry participants form groups called maintenance steering
groups (MSG) and industry steering committees (ISC).

These groups, through numerous meetings determine the frequency and scope of aircraft
inspections to be peformed. This information is provided to another group called the
maintenance review board (MRB). The MRB will issue their final recommendations to the
manufacturer on how an aircraft should be maintained.

The manufacturer then publishes this information in maintenance planning documents

(MPD) to be provided to the customer.

For small private aircraft the aircraft owner usually follows the inspections and maintenance
practices published by the manufacturer.

For airline or commercial operators, the recommendations of the MRB and subsequent MPD
are used to develop a Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program (CAMP), which is then
approved by the FAA
 Aircraft Weight and Balance
by Andy
(Singapore)

Under what situation would an aircraft weight and balance be required?

ANSWER: There are a few reasons why you would be required to do a reweigh of an
aircraft:

1. The approved maintenance program of an air carrier requires periodic weighing;

2. The aircraft has been altered to the extent that there is an appreciable change in the
weight and or balance of the aircraft; or

3. The aircraft has been repaired to the extent that there is an appreciable change in the
weight and or balance of the aircraft.

You can find more information about Aircraft Weight and Balance Control by downloading
AC 120-27E from our Advisory Circulars page of this site.