Aircraft parts and components function under constant stressful conditions, which means that the will inevitably demand maintenance. Two terms often used in aviation to describe types of aircraft maintenance are repair and overhaul. And while they are occasionally used interchangeably, in truth, they refer to different maintenance activities.
Discerning between the tasks of aircraft component overhaul and repair is crucial for aircraft operators, maintenance organizations and component owners.
What Is Aircraft Component Repair?
A repair generally focuses on a particular issue, damage, or temporary state that needs to be fixed.
Depending on the situation, the kind of component, and any relevant maintenance data, a repair can involve:
- Damaged part replacement
- Corrosion or wear correction
- Restoration of a component to an approved working condition
- Replacement of individual components
- Inspections or testing
The scope of repairs can vary significantly. Certain repairs can present as relatively minor, while others may fall intot he category of a major repairs under FAA regulations. The FAA defines regulatory guidance on major repairs.
What Is Aircraft Component Overhaul?
An overhaul describes a fuller, more comprehensive maintenance process.
In the Records of Overhaul and Rebuilding, under 14 CFR §43.2, a component can only be given the description of “overhauled” in official maintenance records when it has been:
- Disassembled
- Cleaned
- Inspected
- Repaired as necessary
- Reassembled
- Tested using applicable technical data
Thus, an overhaul refers to a full systematic examination and restoration of a component rather than just identifying and correcting one problem.
Aircraft Repair vs. Overhaul: What’s the Difference?
The simplest answer to this question is: scope.
A repair corrects a specific defect or condition.
An overhaul involves the full disassembly, inspection, necessary repair, reassembly and testing of a component.
Interesting to note: an overhaul can also encompass repairs if inspections uncover worn or problematic parts.
Why Technical Stuff Matters
Maintenance is a critical part of aircraft life and function, and requires appropriate methods, techniques and practices. Instructions provided by a manufacturer, Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA), approved data and other related technical data help define how a component must be maintained.
Maintenance teams often consider:
- Component condition and inspection results
- Manufacturer requirements
- Lifespans and service requirements
- Extent of damage or wear
- Necessary testing and performance standards
- Regulatory requirements
FAA-certificated Part 145 repair stations can perform maintenance functions according to their approved ratings and scope.
The Importance of Quality Parts
When it comes to both repair and overhaul tasks, aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance teams rely on high-quality, certified parts that can be sourced quickly and easily. at Flyparts.com we make it our business to provide our clients with a user-friendly marketplace that allows real-time availability and pricing along with 24/7 AOG services. So regardless of your component needs, you can trust Flyparts to help get you back in the air!