Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) and Aviation Documentation

Introduction

This glossary is a comprehensive reference for the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) and related aviation maintenance documentation. It covers regulatory requirements, structure, practical use, and relationships among documents that define aircraft maintenance, airworthiness, and compliance. It is intended for aviation professionals, including maintenance engineers, technicians, operators, and regulatory personnel who need reliable, actionable reference material.

1. Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM)

1.1. Definition

The Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) is the principal technical document issued by the aircraft manufacturer (Type Certificate Holder) that details the procedures, standards, and instructions for performing on-aircraft maintenance on a specific aircraft type. The AMM is a core component of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA), mandated by aviation authorities globally.

• Issued by: Aircraft manufacturer (Type Certificate Holder)
• Content: Step-by-step on-aircraft maintenance procedures, including servicing, inspections, component removal/installation, troubleshooting, and minor repairs
• Excludes: Detailed structural repairs (see SRM) and shop-level component work (see CMM)
• Legally Required: Forms part of ICA as required by ICAO, FAA, and EASA regulations
• Standardization: Uses ATA 100/iSpec 2200 coding for universal reference

The AMM must always be current, with revisions implemented as required.

References:

• ICAO Maintenance on Aircraft Guidelines (PDF)
• ATA 100 on Wikipedia

1.2. Regulatory Context

The AMM is underpinned by global and national regulations:

• ICAO Annex 6: Mandates provision of ICA, including AMM, by the Type Certificate Holder (ICAO Annex 6 ).
• FAA 14 CFR 25.1529: Requires up-to-date ICA for continued airworthiness (FAA ICA Rulemaking PDF ).
• EASA Part-21/145: Requires manufacturers to create, update, and distribute the AMM as a condition of certification.

Industry standards:

• ATA 100/iSpec 2200: Universal technical documentation format (ATA 100 on Wikipedia ).

1.3. Purpose and Scope

The AMM’s main objective is to provide all instructions necessary to keep an aircraft airworthy, reliable, and safe, including:

• Servicing: Fluid replenishment, lubrication, routine checks
• Inspection: Visual, detailed, scheduled, and special inspections
• Adjustment: System and component calibration
• Testing: Functional and operational checks
• Replacement: Removal/installation of components
• Minor Repairs: Non-structural, minor fixes

The AMM does not cover:

• Major structural repairs (SRM)
• Component overhaul (CMM)
• Detailed part identification (IPC)

AMM procedures cross-reference these other documents as needed.

2. Structure and Content of the AMM

2.1. Organization

AMMs use the ATA 100/iSpec 2200 coding system for universal structure (ATA 100 on Wikipedia ):

E.g.:

• ATA 27: Flight Controls
• ATA 32: Landing Gear
• ATA 71: Powerplant

2.2. Front Matter and Revision Tracking

Front matter includes:

• Title and Approval Pages
• List of Effective Pages (LEP)
• Revision Log (normal and temporary)
• Effectivity Tables (which aircraft serials/models apply)
• Abbreviations and Definitions

Revision control is critical; all changes are strictly tracked and must be incorporated in line with manufacturer and regulatory requirements.

2.3. Content Categories

2.3.1. Description and Operation

Explains:

• System/component function and operation
• Location, power, interfaces, and logic
• Normal and abnormal modes

2.3.2. Maintenance Procedures

Step-by-step tasks for:

• Servicing, removal/installation, deactivation/reactivation
• Inspection and checks
• Testing/adjustment
• Limited, non-structural repairs

Procedures highlight WARNINGS, CAUTIONS, and NOTES for safety.

2.3.3. Job Set-Up Information

Lists:

• Required tools and equipment
• Consumables and expendables
• Work zones and access panels
• Safety precautions and aircraft configuration

2.3.4. Referenced Information

Cross-references to:

• IPC (parts identification)
• SRM (structural repairs)
• CMM (shop-level maintenance)
• MEL/CDL (dispatch with inoperative equipment)
• Regulatory documents (SBs, ADs)

3. Key Terms and Related Maintenance Documents

3.1. Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA)

ICA is the full set of documents and procedures—mandated by ICAO, FAA, and EASA—needed to maintain airworthiness after original certification. ICA includes:

• AMM
• SRM
• IPC
• CMM
• ESPM (Electrical Standard Practices)
• TSM (Troubleshooting)
• MEL/CDL

References:

• FAA: Instructions for Continued Airworthiness
• ICAO: Airworthiness Guidance

3.2. Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC)

The IPC is the illustrated reference for all parts and assemblies in an aircraft, organized by ATA chapter and used to:

• Identify and order parts
• Cross-reference parts for maintenance

IPC provides diagrams but is not a maintenance authority (AMM supersedes in case of conflict).

References:

• SKYbrary: Aircraft Illustrated Parts Catalogue

3.3. Structural Repair Manual (SRM)

The SRM details manufacturer-approved methods and limits for structural repairs, including:

• Allowable damage limits
• Repair schemes and materials
• Post-repair inspection criteria

If a repair is not in the SRM, a new scheme must be requested from the manufacturer.

References:

• SKYbrary: Structural Repair Manual
• FAA: AC 25.1529-1A SRM Guidance (PDF)

3.4. Minimum Equipment List (MEL)

The MEL is operator-specific, approved by the national authority, and lists which systems/equipment may be inoperative for dispatch, with limitations. Derived from the MMEL, the MEL must always be at least as restrictive.

• Specifies repair intervals by category (A, B, C, D)
• Includes operational procedures and placards
• Must be referenced before dispatch

References:

• FAA: Master Minimum Equipment Lists

3.5. Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL)

The MMEL is the manufacturer’s comprehensive list of items that may be inoperative for dispatch at the aircraft type level. Operators derive their MELs from the MMEL, tailored to their fleet and operations.

Conclusion

The Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) is the cornerstone of aircraft maintenance documentation, supported by a network of related manuals—SRM, IPC, CMM, MEL, and others. The regulatory framework ensures these documents are standardized, current, and universally understandable, safeguarding airworthiness and operational safety for every flight.

For further reading:

• ICAO: Airworthiness Guidance
• FAA: Instructions for Continued Airworthiness
• ATA 100 on Wikipedia