Introduction

Continued airworthiness requires fully effective maintenance activities and maintenance management processes. An approved organisation will need to ensure therefore that all processes and related procedures are being effectively implemented together with adequate discharge of responsibilities to ensure continued compliance with regulations and internal requirements. Part 145 requires an effective internal audit process under the supervision of the Quality Manager that will provide adequate feedback to the Accountable Manager. 

This course aims to provide comprehensive training in audit management and auditing techniques to facilitate a fully effective audit process across the maintenance environment, and supporting the achievement of operational and business objectives. The course is highly participative, and promotes auditing practices that have become the benchmark in the industry. 

It is an industry specific three day programme specifically designed for those who need to manage, undertake or understand how to conduct effective auditing activities in aircraft Part 145 maintenance environments, either as an internal audit function or as Part M responsibilities in relation to internal or contracted aircraft maintenance. 

This is a highly participative and practical course that stimulates involvement and provides for powerful auditing methodologies that will enable participants to return to their organisations with the confidence to plan and undertake searching audits that provide valuable information and feedback of the effectiveness of the management system and regulatory compliance to the Accountable Manager.

Course Content

The following subjects will be addressed:

• Background to auditing in the context of regulations
• The need for and importance of the Quality System in Part 145 and Part M
• The relationship between Quality & Safety Management systems
• Responsibilities of the Quality Manager
• Fundamental principles of auditing
• Pro-active auditing as an integral part of management
• Relative responsibilities of those managing and undertaking audits together with those subject to auditing activity who will need to consider and implement effective corrective actions
• Development of audit programmes
• Objective based auditing & reporting methods
• Audit planning - development of audit check lists
• Best practice audit conduct
• Investigative auditing skills and techniques
• Factual reporting of audit findings
• Interactive audit role play activity - a feature of this course
• Audit reports & records
• Psychological aspects of auditing
• Auditor competency and development issues
• Effective corrective action, audit follow up and close out mechanisms
• The role of the Accountable Manager in steering the audit process and ensuring adequate response to audit findings
• Interactive trainer led discussions on auditing problems & solutions

 

Learning Objectives

After attending this course, participants should be able to develop a comprehensive audit programme in response to Part 145 auditing requirements, together with the planning, conduct, reporting and close out of in-depth & searching audits in an aircraft maintenance environment.

Who should take this course

This course will be of very significant benefit to Quality Managers and auditors who need to have the necessary competence to conduct effective auditing across the maintenance organization, or in relation to any supplied services. Accountable Managers, Maintenance Managers, Nominated Postholders and others who need to understand and ensure that the audit process provides them with sufficient assurance of the adequacy and effectiveness of the operations in relation to regulatory compliance will also benefit from attendance at this course. Also, this course would be very beneficial to those who have previously attended a Part 145 training course.

Pre-requisites

A background in an aviation maintenance environment. No previous experience of auditing or the Quality Manager's function is necessary.

Duration

3 days - each day will commence at 09.00 and finish at 17.30, with appropriate refreshment breaks.