Installing seat belts on pre-78 SE aircraft

[Heliian]

As far as I know, maintenance has to be conducted “according to” the maintenance manual. So when you change the seatbelts you have to follow the procedures listed for that task. “According to” doesn’t in my understanding mean “everything listed in”.

No - it doesn't.

Any maintenance has to be done in accordance with applicable data. The MM is not an approved manual. SRM's are approved - and you would have to follow them - but not MM's

You could throw the MM over your shoulder and use AC 43. 13 for example, if you wanted....of course - why would you want to?

Maybe in some cases where support is no longer available but the majority of aircraft have a MM and the procedures in it are to be used and quoted when performing maintenance. The maintenance manual is an approved document. It's your responsibility to use the most current.

The situation also changes depending on the category of aircraft and the type of operation.

he FAA in Washington subsequently issued a Letter of Intepretation (https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/he ... tation.pdf) saying this was ineffective: Airworthiness Limitations cannot be added for any aircraft having already been built.

Well, they don't know what they're talking about. Ch4. ALS can be changed and updated. The manufacturers have to to keep up with new retirement lives or part numbers. Only the useless, antique FAA would say that you can't change it.

[photofly]

The FAA takes the position that after-the-fact airworthiness limitations require an Airworhiness Directive to be mandatory.

Manufacturers can add whatever maintenance requirements they want but matters of airworthiness are reserved to the national regulator to determine. The type design of a particular airframe is not an open ended process open to change but is fixed at the time of certification.

[Heliian]

The FAA takes the position that after-the-fact airworthiness limitations require an Airworhiness Directive to be mandatory.

Manufacturers can add whatever maintenance requirements they want but matters of airworthiness are reserved to the national regulator to determine. The type design of a particular airframe is not an open ended process open to change but is fixed at the time of certification.

LOL. They should have taken their own advice with the 737

The FAA must hate it when other jurisdictions make changes to their ALS 4 then.

[boeingboy]

The maintenance manual is an approved document.

No it's not.
That is a common misconception.

The MM is published by the Manufacturer - it is never submitted to the FAA (or any other regulator) for approval. It is only applicable data.
The SRM on the other hand is approved....and it says so at the bottom of each page. If amended it is sent to the regulator for approval.

As I said - you can toss the MM away and use any applicable data to maintain your aircraft legally....but I don't think anyone really would.