LIGHT AIRCRAFT PISTON ENGINE

OVERHAUL PERIODS

AIRWORTHINESS NOTICE

VERSION
:
DATE OF IMPLEMENTATION :
OFFICE OF PRIME INTEREST :
12/05/2010

4.0
12-05-2010
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTORATE
AWNOT-043-AWXX-4.0

LIGHT AIRCRAFT PISTON ENGINE OVERHAUL PERIODS

12/05/2010

AWNOT-043-AWXX-4.0

LIGHT AIRCRAFT PISTON ENGINE OVERHAUL PERIODS

A.

AUTHORITY:

A1.
This Airworthiness Notice has been issued under the authority vested in DG CAA vide rules 4 of
Civil Aviation Rules 1994.

B.

PURPOSE:

B1.

The purpose of this Airworthiness Notice is to elaborate the requirements for:-

B1.1
B1.2
B1.3

Acceptance of engine life.

Extension in overhaul time period.
Time Between Overhauls (TBO).

C.

SCOPE:

C1 This Airworthiness Notice will be applicable to all operators and organizations in Pakistan operating
and maintaining Piston Engine aircraft.

D.

DESCRIPTION:

D1.

DEFINITIONS:

D1.1

Light aircraft engine means either:-

D1.1.1 A piston engine installed in an aircraft, the maximum weight of which does not exceed 2730 Kg
or.
D1.1.2 A piston engine of 400 hp or less.
D1.2 Time between overhaul is defined is defined as, any overhaul period recommendation, which is
stated in terms of operating time.
D1.3 Calendar time period run from the date on which the appropriate release document was signed,
by the manufacturer in the case of a new engine, or by the over hauler in the case of an overhauled
engine.
D2.

ENGINE LIFE:

D2.1 Normally for a light aircraft piston engine, PCAA will accept the engine constructors overhaul
period recommendations, which have been promulgated under a system approved by the responsible
Airworthiness Authority of State of Manufacture.
D2.2 Some constructors publications permit operation beyond the overhaul period recommended if the
condition of the engine shows it to be justified.
D3.

ELIGIBILITY FOR EXTENSION IN ENGINE LIFE:

D3.1 Life extension shall only be applicable to light aircraft engine. The light aircraft engine is defined
at Para D1.1 above.

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D3.2 Life extension on manufacturers approved operating time (TBO) shall not be admissible to
engines installed on aircraft used for agricultural purposes.
D3.3 Life extension is only admissible to new or Re-built or manufacturers overhauled engine which
have completed the recommended overhaul period in term of operating hours / calendar life.
D3.4 An engine, which becomes restricted initially by calendar period limitation of a recommended
overhaul period, may continue in service until the operating time limitation (TBO) is reached, or maximum
of 36 months calendar period, whichever comes earlier. This extension is given in maximum of 12
months interval at one time subject to satisfactory results of inspection mentioned at Appendix A.
D3.5 Engines, which have reached the operating time limitation of a recommended overhaul period,
may continue in service for a further period of operation not exceeding 20% of the recommended
operating time (TBO).
D3.6 The above stated TBO or calendar period extension (Para D3.4 and D3.5) is subject to
compliance with the following conditions:D3.6.1 The engine must have been operated in an aircraft registered in Pakistan, and must have
consumed at least 30% of recommended operating time (TBO) prior to completion of manufacturers
recommended overhaul period in calendar life.
D3.6.2 The engine having been inspected in accordance with inspection procedures given at Appendix
A in order to assess its condition, prior to the increase in TBO, (in calendar life or operating hrs), and
subsequently at 100 hours OR 12 months intervals, whichever occurs first.
D3.6.3 Mandatory modifications, Airworthiness Directives Service Bulletins and manufacturers specific
requirements must have been accomplished within the given specific time.
D3.7 The aircraft in which the engine is installed shall have been maintained in accordance with the
approved maintenance schedule and operated in accordance with approved Flight Manual.
D3.8 In the event, that the inspection mentioned at Appendix A does not qualify, the engine must be
completely overhauled from approved sources.
D3.9 For clarity, the requirements of paragraphs D3.5 and D3.6 are prescribed in tabular form in
Appendix B.
D4.

PROCEDURE FOR LIFE EXTENSION:

D4.1 Extension in engine life towards operating hours (TBO) shall be availed in installments of 100
hours.
D4.2 Extension in engine life beyond manufacturers given calendar time period shall be availed in
installments of 12 months or 100 hrs interval whichever shall fall earlier till Approved TBO is reached or
maximum of 36 months whichever shall fall earlier.
D4.3 Carry out Inspection at Appendix A to this notice before applying for life extension and
subsequently at an interval of 100 hours or one year which ever shall fall earlier.
D4.4 An entry regarding life extension of TBO / calendar life period shall be made in engine logbook
accordingly.

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D4.5 In case, the inspections mentioned at Appendix A are found satisfactory, details of the same,
duly certified, may be submitted to local Airworthiness field office, along with documentary proof
regarding eligibility of the engine for life extension, before release of engine for each installment of life
extension.

E.

EVIDENCES (ACRONYMS / RECORDS / REFERENCES):

E1.

ACRONYMS:
AD
CAA
SB
TBO

E2.

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY
SERVICE BULLETIN
TIME BETWEEN OVERHAUL

RECORDS:
Nil

E3.

REFERENCES:
Nil

IMPLEMENTATION:
This Airworthiness Notice shall be implemented with effect from 12th May, 2010 and repeals /
cancels / supersedes Airworthiness Notice No. 043 issue 03, dated 13th April, 2004.

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Appendix A
PISTON ENGINE OPERATION BEYOND
RECOMMENDED OVERHAUL
1.

General : A piston engine, which has reached the end of its normal overhaul period, may be
expected to have suffered some wear to cylinders, pistons, valve, bearings and other moving
parts. But an engine, which has been carefully maintained, may still be in a condition suitable
for a further period of service. The guideline given below is focused to outline inspections
and tests which may be necessary to asses the condition of a piston engine which is
operating beyond its TBO in compliance with Airworthiness Notice AWNOT-043-AWXX-4.0
dated 12/05/2010.

2.

Examination and checking of engine: All items included in the next scheduled higher
check of maintenance schedule of an engine may be performed in order to determine the
condition of an engine at the end of its normal overhaul period. However, additional
inspection given below may also be carried out on engines, which are operating beyond its
TBO in compliance with Airworthiness Notice AWNOT-043-AWXX-4.0 dated 12/05/2010..

3.

External Inspection: the engine should be examined externally for obvious faults such as a
cracked crankcase, excessive play in the propeller shaft, overheating and corrosion, which
would make it unacceptable for further use.

4.

Internal Condition:
a.

Metal Particle Contamination : Examine oil filters and magnetic plugs for metal
particle contamination.

b.

Compression Check: Compression check using differential pressure test.

Compare result with manufacturer's recommended values.

c.

SOAP Test: SOAP test shall be carried out from any appropriate facility upon
completion of recommended TBO before requesting TBO extension to CAA
Pakistan.

5.

Calculate oil and fuel consumption rate for the preceding 10 hours.

6.

Check engine performance by a ground run.

7.

Check engine vibration and other defects likely to affect safety.

8.

Record result of these inspections in engine log book.

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Appendix B
LIGHT AIRCRAFT PISTON ENGINE OVERHAUL PERIODS

Normal Overhaul Period

(Calendar limitation)

Public Transport / Aerial Work

Private Category

Manufacturers recommended period, provided the engine conforms to

applicable AD, Mandatory service bulletin/modification and aircraft is
maintained as per Approved Maintenance Schedule and operated as
per Flight Manual and manufacturers instructions.
NOTE: Engines, which have both a manufacturers calendar period
and operating time limitation (TBO), and become restricted initially by
calendar limitation may continue in service untill operating time
limitation, (Approved TBO) is reached, subject to satisfactory
inspection as per Appendix A to AWNOT-043-AWXX-4.0 dated
12/05/2010.. This inspection will be carried out at completion of normal
overhaul calendar period and subsequently at 100 hours or 12 months
interval, whichever occurs first. For engines operated in crop-spraying,
no extension in approved TBO (in flight hrs) shall be allowed
Normal Overhaul Period
(Operating time)
Extensions not exceeding
20% of normal Overhaul
Period

Compliance with Airworthiness requirements, ADs Mandatory SBs &

modification is a mandatory condition.
Inspections in accordance with Appendix A to AWNOT-043-AWXX4.0 dated 12/05/2010 at completion of normal overhaul period (TBO)
and then at 100 hour or yearly intervals, whichever occurs first. (For
engines operated in crop-spraying aircraft the inspections must be
repeated at 50 hour intervals).
Operating time extension (TBO) is not admissible on engine installed
on aircraft used for agricultural purposes.

NOTE: This Table is intended for easy reference only; for detail the main text of the Notice applies.

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