Avionic Inspector

**OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB**:
Interface between assigned air operators and other aviation entities. Has responsibility to assure that assigned organisations meet South African Civil Aviation Regulations with respect to avionics programmes. Determines the need for and establishes work programmes for surveillance and inspection of assigned organisations within manpower and budget limitations to assure adherence to the applicable regulations.

**FORMAL QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED**:

- Grade 12 (Matric) and Hold or has held Appropriate Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Licence
- National Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance equivalent to NQF level 6

**TRAINING (On the job training should the present incumbent leave)**
- Government Safety Inspector, Safety Management System, Human Factors.

**JOB TITLE/FUNCTION**:

- Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

**MINIMUM TIME SPENT IN JOB**:

- 5 Years as Licenced Aircraft Maintenance Engineer of civil or military air transport aircraft.

**KEY RESPONSIBILITIES**:
**Technical Administration**:

- Assures on a continuing basis that assigned organisations are properly and adequately organized, staffed, and equipped; have and conduct an adequate training programme, including an acceptable record keeping system; and have facilities and procedures that meet all regulatory requirements. Chairs joint organisation-industry meetings; maintains regular contact with organisations assigned; and coordinates with top management officials. Requires or directs correction of any deficiencies/discrepancies and refuses or withdraws approval if they cannot be resolved.
- Develops avionics programme requirements through participation on Maintenance Review boards. Coordinates Minimum Equipment List (MEL) approvals with the principal operation inspector. Takes enforcement action in instances of non-compliance with the MEL.
- Is responsible for the conduct of enforcement investigations and preparation of final reports and recommendations. Performs or supervises the emergency suspension of certificates or cancellation of operations specifications. Conducts or directs the re-examination of certificated airmen or re-certification of an approval holder/operator or aircraft maintenance organisation.
- Conducts investigations of public complaints, government inquiries, and aircraft incidents and accidents.
- Provides verbal and/or written technical assistance to legal counsel, testifies at court trials and formal hearings, and gives depositions.
- Coordinates with other inspectors as required to accomplish additional air operator surveillance.

**Certification**:

- Has responsibility for initial and ongoing certification of approval holder/air operator, aircraft, airmen and aircraft maintenance organisation.
- Evaluates requests for an approval holder/ air operator to operate under conditions not previously specified in the maintenance portion of the operations specifications. Approves or disapproves requests and provides additional conditions and limitations as needed.
- Provides guidance to assigned air operators in the development of required maintenance manuals and record keeping systems. Reviews and determines adequacy of manuals associated with the approval holder/air operators avionics programmes and revisions. Assures that manuals and revisions comply with regulatory requirements, prescribe safe practices, and furnish clear and specific instructions governing avionics programmes. Approves operations specifications and amendments.
- Determines if air operator avionics facilities and contract avionics arrangements are satisfactory. Reviews changes and negotiates with air operator management to resolve problems.
- Determines if avionics-oriented inspection time limitations warrant revision.
- Evaluates an operators proposed avionics reliability programmes for compliance with national policies. Advises approval holder/operator of deficiencies and required changes. Approves/disapproves avionics portions of reliability programmes.
- Determines if the approval holder/air operators training programme meets the requirements of the Civil Aviation Regulations, is compatible with the avionics programme, is properly organised and effectively conducted, and results in trained and competent personnel.
- Directs or participates in proving flight evaluations to determine compliance with the Civil Aviation Regulations. Recommends changes that will be required prior to approval.

**Surveillance**:

- Directs the inspection and surveillance of the approval holder/air operators avionics programme. Monitors all phases of the air operators or approval holder avionics operation.
- Analyses trends to detect deterioration in the avionics programme.
- Analyses reports submitted by an air operator or approval holder to ensure compliance with the avionics programme and assures the air operator or approval holder has an effective continuing analysis and surveillance programme to meet the requirements of the Civil Aviation Regulations