When a manufacturer develops a new airplane, a maintenance program is also designed to receive airworthiness certification for the aircraft. Apart from testing individual systems and performing rigorous flight tests, a comprehensive maintenance plan that underlines the aircraft’s operability under safe conditions is essential.

The airworthiness certification is granted based on the manufacturer’s ability to provide concrete plans to keep the aircraft fit for flying. A maintenance program may only include the minimum required maintenance to keep the aircraft operating within acceptable limits.

A maintenance program is developed by gathering operational information on all materials, equipment, processes, and systems used in manufacturing. The data is categorized based on the component group and its criticality in determining safe operation. An aircraft’s maintenance program goes through several processes before an airworthiness certificate is granted.

Maintenance Workgroups

In the first stage, Maintenance Workgroups scrutinize each part, assembly, system, and their interactions. Maintenance Workgroups comprise specialists from suppliers, vendors, operators, and regulators that have a deep understanding of individual systems.

Each system is broken down into components, piece parts, machining, and materials. Each process is recorded from the origin of raw material to the…