Aircraft Painting

[GottaFly]

I'm not an AME but according to the tribunal I think one of the findings was that IAW the aircraft maintenance manual, after the control surfaces are painted, they need to be balanced. None the less, I'm assuming that when a commercially registered aircraft is painted, regardless of size, an AME would need to be on site to ensure the painting is conducted IAW the applicable maintenance manual and re and re cowlings etc. I'm assuming a maintenance release would go something like this :

"-Aircraft painted by joe blow painters to the mil specs as outlined in Beechcraft B200 maintenance manual.
-ailerons, elevators, rudder and flaps removed,balanced and reinstalled.
-L/H cowling removed an reinstalled
-R/H cowling removed and reinstalled
-pitot static system inspected and tested as per Beechcraft maintenance manual.
-aircraft weighed. New weight 8869lbs and CofG index -18.2

I John Smith duly certify that all control surfaces have been inspected and tested free and correct.

All maintenance conducted IAW the applicable standards of airworthiness and Beechcraft maintenance manual.

A satisfactory test flight is required prior to return to service."

Like I said, I'm not a mechanic but this seems logical to me.

[Cranium]

CAR 101.01:
"maintenance" - means the overhaul, repair, required inspection or modification of an aeronautical product, or the removal of a component from or its installation on an aeronautical product, but does not include
(a) elementary work,
(b) servicing; or
(c) any work performed on an aircraft by the manufacturer prior to the issuance of whichever of the following documents is issued first
(i) a certificate of airworthiness,
(ii) a special certificate of airworthiness, or
(iii) an export airworthiness certificate;

"elementary work" - means those tasks that are listed as elementary work in the Aircraft Equipment and Maintenance Standards;
"servicing" - in respect of an aeronautical product, means cleaning, lubricating and the replenishment of fluids not requiring the disassembly of the product;

Painting is maintenance. It is a repair (or if you're changing the colour, style, or brand of paint; a modification). It is not elementary work - it's not listed in the elementary tasks. It's not servicing (although it does go on as a fluid - try that as a defence if you're caught). It's maintenance, so it needs a maintenance release.

[Colonel Sanders]

It is not elementary work - it's not listed in the elementary tasks

Sure it is - in 2 separate paragraphs, no less.

[GyvAir]

It is not elementary work - it's not listed in the elementary tasks

Sure it is - in 2 separate paragraphs, no less.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/r ... a-2458.htm

Paragraph (1) and (4)?

[crazy_aviator]

Elementary Work Task Listings

(1) fabric patches measuring not more than 15 cm (6 in) in any direction and not requiring rib stitching or the removal of control surfaces or structural parts, on small privately operated aircraft;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(2) removal and replacement of tires, wheels, landing skids or skid shoes, not requiring separation of any hydraulic lines, on small privately operated aircraft;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(3) removal and replacement of skis on fixed landing gear, not requiring separation of any hydraulic lines, on small privately operated aircraft;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(4) repair of non-structural fairings, cover plates and cowlings, on small privately operated aircraft;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(5) cleaning and replacement of spark plugs, on small privately operated aircraft;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(6) checking of cylinder compression, on small privately operated aircraft;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(7) cleaning or changing of fuel, oil, and air filters, on small privately operated aircraft;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(8) draining and replenishing engine oil, on small privately operated aircraft;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(9) checking the electrolyte level and specific gravity of lead acid batteries, on small privately operated aircraft;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(10) adjustment of generator or alternator drive belt tension, on small privately operated aircraft;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(11) cleaning of balloon burner nozzles;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(12) removal and replacement of balloon baskets, burners and gas tanks that are designed for rapid change in service;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(13) removal and replacement of glider wings and tail surfaces that are designed for quick assembly;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(14) repair of upholstery, trim and cabin furnishings;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(15) removal and replacement of role equipment designed for rapid removal and replacement;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(16) removal and replacement of passenger seat belts and harnesses;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(17) removal and replacement of fuses, light bulbs and reflectors;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(18) removal and replacement of avionics components that are rack mounted or otherwise designed for rapid removal and replacement, where the work does not require testing other than an operational check;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(19) removal and replacement of aircraft batteries;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(20) removal and replacement of co-pilot control levers, wheels, pedals and pedal guard plates that are designed for rapid removal and replacement, on other than transport category aircraft;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(21) opening and closing of non-structural access panels;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(22) removal and replacement of cabin doors on unpressurized aircraft, where the door is designed for rapid removal and replacement;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(23) removal, replacement and repositioning of non structural partitions in the passenger cabin;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(24) inspection and continuity checking of self-sealing chip detectors;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(25) removal and replacement of induction system anti-icing baffles, scoops and deflectors that are designed for rapid removal and replacement;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(26) removal, cleaning, replacement and adjustment of external components of chemical dispersal systems that are designed for rapid removal and replacement;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(27) deactivating or securing inoperative systems in accordance with sections 605.09 or 605.10 of the CARs, including the installation of devices specifically intended for system deactivation, where the work does not involve disassembly, the installation of parts, or testing other than operational checks;
(amended 2004/03/01; previous version)

(28) checking and adjusting air pressure in helicopter floats and aircraft tires except on aircraft operated under CAR 705.
(amended 2011/12/30; previous version)

(29) repetitive visual inspections or operational checks (including inspections and tests required by airworthiness directives) not involving disassembly or the use of visual aids, performed out of phase with the aircraft’s scheduled check cycle at intervals of less than 100 hours air time, provided the tasks are also included in the most frequent scheduled maintenance check.
(amended 2004/03/01;


I dont see aircraft strip and repaint here do you Hedley ?

[Colonel Sanders]

aircraft strip and repaint

You misquote me, likely intentionally.

I said (see previous page):

re-painting a small, non-movable
section of a private aircraft (with a certified C of A) is
elementary maintenance

and that is certainly listed, in two different
places in the "exhaustive" list, as I have
repeatedly mentioned before.

[crazy_aviator]

Still dont see the elementary task , does ANYONE else see it ?

[crazy_aviator]

Still dont see the elementary task , does ANYONE else see it ?

[GyvAir]

I believe what CS is getting at is that you're not likely to put a fabric patch (1) on your plane or repair your non-structural fairing, cover plate or cowling (4) without refinishing the affected area to match. If you're doing that repair yourself to start with, you're not about to go to an AMO or AME to have the paint touch-up done.

[Colonel Sanders]

Indeed.

The disconnect from reality on this website can be startling at times.

I remember one AME here taking the position that flying an aircraft
in rain, because of the wear on the prop, was considered a "prop
strike" requiring teardown of the engine (App G, abnormal).

[Heliian]

Technically, if you paint the a/c, it'll require a release. The person who signs the release must be appropriately rated for the type of a/c. Any AME could sign off your simple piston single aeroplane with the appropriate independant control checks c/o also. For a release, the AME/AMO would quote the required A/C maintenance manual, standard practice manual or AC43-13 standard practices. It's tough to find a good painter, the best way is if you see a really good job, ask where it was done. One of the best paint jobs i've ever seen was done by an automotive guy, in a backyard shop. A good job is going to cost you though, some quality paints can cost 1000's of dollars a GALLON! then add days of labour for prep work and more for the actual paint, striping and final touchups. You could also get a $99 gallon of auto paint, sand and shoot over the old junk but the quality won't be there. There are a couple of paint shops for a/c in the country but you may find that there is someone close to you who can still do a quality job.

[Cranium]

I agree that a small repair to a cowl or a fabric patch is elementary maintenance - and to complete that repair properly, you need to paint it.

However, repainting a complete aircraft is maintenance, requiring a maintenance release.

Touch-ups are a grey area in the regulations, but common sense should prevail - there's a huge difference between touching up a small chip with no other damage and doing a non-elementary structural repair and touching up that area.