Question

Describe the six functions of the engineering department. Prioritize the six functions in order as it relates to your organization. Does your organization apply the six functions effectively? Why or why not?

Answer 1

1. Development of the maintenance program
2. Develop technical policies and procedures manual for M&E
3. Provide assistance in troubleshooting difficult problems
4. Issuance of engineering orders
5. Evaluate changes in the maintenance program
6. Evaluate changes in aircraft or system configuration

There are more than six functions of the engineering department, I just list out the most important ones. Firstly, to keep aircraft flying safely is the most important part of the whole organization which means to maintain the airworthiness condition. That is why I put the development of the maintenance program as the most important. A good maintenance program will help the airline save money and improve the safety of the operation. The next important one is to develop technical policies and procedures, this is critical because people will follow the instructions to carry out work. After that is to provide assistance, any issues that the production department cannot solve will refer to the engineering department for the solution. Once the engineering department provides a solution and engineering order may be issued. The last part is to review the maintenance program and aircraft configuration. This part is to see how effective the maintenance program is and what kind of improvements can be made in the future.

My organization is an MRO organization and not an aircraft operator. As a result, there is no need to develop a maintenance program and other technical procedures. We will carry out aircraft maintenance work according to customers’ maintenance program. The most important functions of the engineering department in MRO is to provide assistance to difficult problems and issuing the engineering order. In most of the situation, the engineering department will seek help from manufactures. Then they will give the solution so that our engineering department will follow the instruction from manufacturer to issue engineering order. After everything, the manufacturer will issue the approval for the particular repair.