8AMaintenance of general aviation recovery device (GARD) equipment

8A Maintenance of general aviation recovery device (GARD) equipment

8A.1In this subsection:

airframe parachute means a parachute that is a component of GARD equipment.

approved course of training means a course of formal training, or a period of relevant practical experience, or both a course of formal training and a period of practical experience:

(a) designed to:

(i) convey detailed knowledge of GARD equipment (other than the airframe parachute), and the aircraft controls, systems and precautions for use of such equipment; and

(ii) in the light of such knowledge, enable the holder of a relevant category B1 licence to safely perform maintenance on GARD equipment; and

(b) approved in writing for the licence holder by his or her CAR 30 maintenance organisation.

general aviation recovery device (GARD) equipment means a recovery system that is installed on an aircraft and that, however it is activated and the parachute deployed, is designed to control the aircraft’s descent in an emergency such as engine failure or loss of aerodynamic control.

specially qualified LAME means a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer who:

(a) holds a category B1 licence, issued under Part 66 of CASR in a subcategory relevant to the aircraft on which the person performs work; and

(b) has successfully completed an approved course of training in the operation and maintenance of GARD equipment.

8A.2Maintenance of GARD equipment must be carried out by:

(a) a Part 145 organisation; or

(b) a CAR 30 maintenance organisation.

8A.3For regulation 38 of CAR, CASA directs that if maintenance of GARD equipment or an airframe parachute is carried out by a CAR 30 maintenance organisation, the organisation must ensure that only the following persons, employed by or working under an arrangement with the organisation, may perform the maintenance:

(a) for maintenance of GARD equipment, other than the airframe parachute — a specially qualified LAME;

(b) for maintenance of the airframe parachute — a person who holds:

(i) a Packer B qualification granted by the Australian Parachute Federation (APF); or

(ii) a rigger qualification granted by the APF; or

(iii) a document evidencing successful completion of a parachute packer or rigger course of training approved in writing by CASA.

8A.4A person mentioned in sub-subparagraph 8A.3 (b) (i) is limited to inspecting and packing parachutes.

8A.5Following completion of maintenance of an airframe parachute, a person mentioned in paragraph 8A.3 must certify for the completion of maintenance by signing the relevant maintenance record in the CAR 30 maintenance organisation’s work documentation package.