**Why is it Important to Conduct a Bridging Check?**

We have recently acquired an aircraft that is new to our organization, and it follows a different maintenance schedule. It is crucial to understand the aircraft’s configuration and the status of its maintenance program. This maintenance program may differ significantly from the program under which our existing fleet is certified. We must review key items to ensure compliance, starting with a preliminary airworthiness review. This will help us ensure that the continuing airworthiness records are fully compliant, particularly regarding the certification status of any repairs.

Additionally, we must understand the lease conditions, including lease return requirements. It can be harsh for a lessee to discover that they must return the aircraft with brand-new engines at the end of a five-year lease. There is no substitute for thoroughly reading the fine print!

Some issues that should be investigated and understood include (but are not limited to) the following:  MRB/MPD Revision Status: Ensure that the maintenance program aligns with the current Maintenance Planning Document. 

Utilization of the Aircraft: Review the current flight hours, cycles, and landings compared to the rest of the fleet.

Status of Life Limited Parts (LLPs): Be aware that some parts that are LLP for us may be considered Outside Control (OC) for others, potentially leading to mandatory and costly component changes.

Comparison of Maintenance Programs: Conduct a detailed comparison of the differences between the previous and the new maintenance programs, including any discrepancies in checks or tasks.

Engine Condition Assessment: Before embarking on Aircraft Bridging Maintenance, assess the condition of the engines. A borescope inspection is essential when taking responsibility for a second-hand aircraft.

Airworthiness Directive (AD) Status: Check the status of applicable ADs, including those affecting specific components.

Status of Service Bulletins (SBs): Review any incorporated SBs, Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs), and modifications.

Jurisdiction Requirements: Determine if the aircraft is subject to requirements only applicable within the operator’s jurisdiction.

Aging Airplane Program Status: Confirm that the aircraft complies with any standalone Corrosion Prevention and Corrosion Protection tasks (CPCP) and Structural Significant Items (SSI).

Additional Considerations:

Are there any other operationally relevant items that need to be addressed?

Is the aircraft on an MSG-3 program? Some older aircraft may still operate under MSG-2, which can lead to significant differences in the maintenance program.

ETOPS Configuration: If you lease an aircraft configured for Extended Twin Operations (ETOPS), it may need to be returned in this configuration, even if you are not an ETOPS operator.

Once we fully understand the requirements, we can develop a work package for the Bridging Check that considers various options for executing the required Bridging program. It is important to remember that the obligation for Aircraft Bridging Maintenance lies with the new owner or operator, who must ensure that the new maintenance program complies with all requirements.

At Danan Aviation Consulting, we help airlines make smart decisions when choosing aircraft that meet their specific needs.