Maintenance Duty Times?

impress · Post by **impress** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:40 am

Has anyone heard anything new regarding the regulation of mechanic duty times? It has been a long time since the topic has come up.

MCRS · Post by **MCRS** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:59 am

The following link is all I could find with reference to AME Duty times, Transport Canada CASO

http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/RegSe ... 004060.htm

Any other people have any other comments I'd be interested myself.
The CASO makes referrence to CARS 573.16 (6) Which at present is just a reserved Slot in the CARS. Any information on when this proposal will come into effect or has it been absored into SMS or Human Factors training.
MCRS

CD · Post by CD » Wed Dec 12, 2007 3:51 pm

More information at the following link:

AvCanada - SATOPs - Airworthiness

I'm not sure what the status of the proposals for Fatigue Risk Management System are, although I suspect that they were withdrawn...

tiny · Post by **tiny** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 8:53 am

last I heard AME duty time would be regulated through each company under SMS

Fox 3 · Post by **Fox 3** » Sat Jan 05, 2008 5:12 pm

I can't believe that there are no duty times for maintenance crew. Right now Pilots and ATC have duty times, I just don't get why maintenance doesn't. It seems reasonable enough to me that fatigue has just as much effect on maintenance as it does in the other areas of aviation.

~FOX~

openendwrench · Post by **openendwrench** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:27 pm

Last time I checked duty times and fatigue were covered under Human Factors training.

I think it is rather simple, you work you get hungry, you stop and eat.
Same goes with fatigue.

I think we have all put in long days, but we should always be aware of when we have reached our limits--- physically, mentally and technically.

Beech99 · Post by **Beech99** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:29 pm

I don't think that transport will ever set a duty time for mechanics . There is no way that they would say to the operators sorry your ac won't make sked because your maint guys need some sleep .The cost to the operators could be huge . We all know we have worked well past the point of being usefull, sometimes it just happens . Also how would you set the duty time ?? Some people work 8,10 and 12 hr shifts . If you set it a 12 hrs great for the 8&10 hr people but then the 12 hr people would'n get any overtime . Sorry to say I don't ever see a duty time put in place .It is up to each person to set limits and stand by them .

Fox 3 · Post by **Fox 3** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 11:34 am

Beech99 wrote:There is no way that they would say to the operators sorry your ac won't make sked because your maint guys need some sleep .The cost to the operators could be huge .

Transport couldn't care less if your AC made the sked or not especially when it comes to safety, the have grounded aircraft for less. You are right thought, the cost would go way up. I'm sure there was a time when pilots didn't have duty times either, and then they finally figured out that people sometimes don't realize their own limits and the results could be fatal. The problem with it is that without duty times some operators will keep pushing you, or on the flip side, some mechanics feel the money is worth the risk and choose not to stop. It is only my personal opinion that duty times for mechanics is just as important as the flight crew...it could be argued that it's more important.

~FOX~

turdlicker · Post by **turdlicker** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:43 pm

I must say that I agree with FOX. Duty times for AME's and apprentices should be just as important as it is for flight crews. It is easy to forget as an AME that we are the final link in public safety. Yes we do work for an AMO who pays the bills but ultimately we were licensed by Transport Canada and given the very important task of inspecting the work completed and signing the maintenance release. Now don't get me wrong I like money just as much as the next guy/girl but have been around awhile to see employers expecting employees to work until the work is done and too many tight deadlines to be completed no matter how tired a person is. Duty times in my eyes would be one positive step forward to increasing safety and reducing risk.

J.P.WISER · Post by **J.P.WISER** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:06 am

turdlicker wrote:I must say that I agree with FOX. Duty times for AME's and apprentices should be just as important as it is for flight crews. It is easy to forget as an AME that we are the final link in public safety. Yes we do work for an AMO who pays the bills but ultimately we were licensed by Transport Canada and given the very important task of inspecting the work completed and signing the maintenance release. Now don't get me wrong I like money just as much as the next guy/girl but have been around awhile to see employers expecting employees to work until the work is done and too many tight deadlines to be completed no matter how tired a person is. Duty times in my eyes would be one positive step forward to increasing safety and reducing risk.

I think that this is a non issue as most places run a 24 hour crew when your times up, you passover and walk out. If it's still there when you come back, you pick up and keep going and so on...
It does come into play when your on a road trip, you get dropped off and your ride home needs fixed you will work a bit longer, but you just need to take the extra time needed to make it right. Let me add even if it means staying over night and finishing the next day!!!

Meecka · Post by **Meecka** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:43 am

I think that this is a non issue as most places run a 24 hour crew

Maybee the big companies like air canada, and WJ do... but as far as I know there is more to aircraft maintenance than airlines. I've worked an 18 hour shift because the airplane "had to be done" that night. It is amazing how much pressure employers can put on you, and also how little they care about their employees health and safety. All they see is the dollar sign. I agree with Fox... we should have duty times.

Bulawrench · Post by **Bulawrench** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 1:47 pm

Yes, in a smaller company you can't just drop your tools and go home sometimes. My crew pulled an all-niter last year to get the aircraft back on line. Operationally there was no way out.
The Owner was very appreciative of the efforts and did show his gratitude. I agree SMS should take care of this issue and if the Owner is forcing people to work too long he could end up with a finding himself.
Well, i don't know maybe there needs to be a time out room for the AME's to have a nap? Not likely.

bombardierfixer · Post by **bombardierfixer** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:29 pm

My favorite though is when you get the puppy dog eyes! "bu,bu,but the plane won't fly if you don't work through the night...Please stay I'll make it up to you, Oh don't worry it will be fine. Where am I? Oh I'm in bed..." Yup they make it up to you by having the exact same conversation next shift. The best is when they say to you next day "Long night?" Yeah that can get you murdered... No its up to you to pull the pin cause government will never give us duty times cause then the automotive guys will want somthing, then the Heavy duty guys. If you get hell from a place cause you went home after working a long shift and they do nothing to help out, well you now know that the place you work for probably isn't the best and its time to leave. And for all the guys who are saying "Its just not that easy" Well its a hell of a lot easier than trying to figure out the reg of a plane that atomized on impact...

Maintenance Duty Times?

Maintenance Duty Times?

Re: Maintenance Duty Times?

Re: Maintenance Duty Times?

Re: Maintenance Duty Times?

Re: Maintenance Duty Times?

Re: Maintenance Duty Times?

Re: Maintenance Duty Times?

Re: Maintenance Duty Times?

Re: Maintenance Duty Times?

Re: Maintenance Duty Times?