888-410-0054  |  CUSTOMER SUPPORT   |  SCANNING LOCATIONS

Log in
Bluetail |  Digital Aircraft and Aviation Records Management
MENUMENU
  • Why Bluetail?
          • Why Bluetail
          • The Bluetail Platform
          • Mach Search
          • Security and Trust
  • Customer Experience
          • Scan and Onboard
          • Optional Services
          • Help Center
  • Pricing
  • Resources
          • Blog
          • Events
          • Integrations
          • Aircraft Types
  • ABOUT
          • Our Story
          • Leadership
          • Newsroom
          • Careers
  • June 25, 2020
  • Maintenance Compliance
  • No Comments
  • by Bluetail

Understanding An ICA

By Bluetail

June 25, 2020

Understanding An ICA

  • By Bluetail
  • June 25, 2020

Understanding Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) Requirements for an aircraft is important as ICAs provide a standardized approach for aircraft, engine and propeller maintenance data, thus replacing such data from the OEMs and other Type Certificate (TC) holders. Under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) – see FAA Order 8110.54A for more specifics – ICAs should be available to aircraft operators, maintenance providers and any other individuals who are involved with aircraft. However, there are instances when aircraft repair stations have trouble obtaining the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness that are needed in order to safely perform alterations or maintenance. When a repair station is not able to acquire the latest versions of the applicable ICA or when it is incomplete because a previous published repair has been removed, this could cause problems which might eventually lead to related safety and compliance issues.

There are different requirements for different parts of the aircraft. For instance, engine and propeller ICAs specifically require overhaul instructions. On the other hand, airframe ICAs typically require information about recommended overhaul periods. Requiring a list of special tooling in the ICAs is normal, but only the instructions for continued airworthiness regulations for engines need specific instructions on how to use the tooling. ICAs may also be seen on an FAA Form 337, an aircraft logbooks/maintenance entry or written or other related aircraft documents. 

Who Produces Instructions For Continued Airworthiness?

The typical source for Instructions for Continued Airworthiness is the manufacturer (OEM) or a design organization that holds a related Supplemental Type Certificate (STC). Most of the time, the manufacturer is both the production and design approval holders. In rare cases though, where there is a split between the production approval holder and design approval holder, the official responsibility for creating the ICAs goes to the design approval holder. Other design approval holders, such as those who hold a Supplemental Type Certificate, may also have the obligation to produce ICAs. If properly implemented, these ICAs should ensure that the aircraft remains airworthy during its entire time in service.

ICAs produced by the design approval holder must meet the appropriate regulatory requirements. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposes this obligation on design approval holders as a condition of the design approval to make sure that the important safety instructions are created and shared with parties that use them – such as an MRO – to help ensure airworthiness compliance.

Are ICAs Necessary?

ICAs are necessary as they provide crucial information for an owner and/or operator to maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft. The owner or operator’s maintenance provider has the obligation to follow the related ICAs for the aircraft or fleet. There are times when aircraft parts manufacturers have conditional obligations to produce ICAs. For example, Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) holders are usually required to examine whether the appropriate Type Certificate (TC) ICAs remain valid when the applicable aircraft part is installed. If such ICAs are still valid, the PMA holder won’t need to produce alternative or revised ICAs. This approach helps avoid confusion by continuing the use of the baseline ICAs when such use has been shown to be appropriate.

Contact Bluetail today and discover how we can help you digitize, store and backup your aircraft Maintenance Manual (MM), ICAs and other important aircraft documents all in one single effective and efficient digital cloud source.

ICAInstructions for Continued AirworthinessSupplemental Type Certificate

Recent Posts

  • Bankers Boxes and BizJets
  • Alerion Aviation selects Bluetail for digital aircraft maintenance and operations records management
  • NBAA Maintenance Show Takeaways
  • The Tipping Point of Digitizing Records
  • Bluetail’s releases RecordSnap smartphone feature

Recent Comments

    Archives

    • June 2022
    • May 2022
    • April 2022
    • March 2022
    • February 2022
    • January 2022
    • December 2021
    • November 2021
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • August 2021
    • July 2021
    • June 2021
    • May 2021
    • April 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • November 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    • May 2020

    Categories

    • About us
    • Aircraft Sales
    • Aviation Industry
    • Company
    • Digital Logbooks
    • Featured
    • Maintenance Compliance
    • Press releases
    • Scanning
    • Security and Privacy
    • Technology

    Recent Posts

    • Bankers Boxes and BizJets
    • Alerion Aviation selects Bluetail for digital aircraft maintenance and operations records management
    • NBAA Maintenance Show Takeaways
    • The Tipping Point of Digitizing Records
    • Bluetail’s releases RecordSnap smartphone feature

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    CONTACT

    Request a Free Demo

    Contact Us

    P: 888-410-0054

    E: sales@bluetail.aero

    nbaa-logo1

    nafa-logo-anniversary_Bluetail

    Solutions

    • Scan and Onboard
    • Optional Services
    • Help Center

    Why Bluetail

    • Why Bluetail
    • The Bluetail Platform
    • MACH search
    • Security and Trust

    Resources

    • Blog
    • Events
    • Integrations
    • Aircraft Types

    Pricing

    • Pricing Plans

    About

    • Our Story
    • Leadership
    • Newsroom
    • Careers

    Members

    • Bluetail Login
    • Contact Support
    • ®2018-2022 BLUETAIL, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS OF SERVICE
    • SUPPORTED BROWSERS
    • PHOTOS BY BRADLEY WENTZEL
    Download Guide