As customers adapt to UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) requirements, questions sometimes arise regarding the responsibilities of the customer and a UK CAA-approved maintenance organization.

For customers utilizing Southeast Aerospace, Inc. (SEA) under its UK CAA approval, one important requirement should be clearly understood:

The customer is responsible for defining the maintenance and documentation requirements for the aircraft or component being submitted for work.

The Customer Defines the Scope

Section 7 of SEA's UK CAA Supplement requires SEA to obtain specific instructions from the customer through a scope of work, work order, purchase order, or other accepted correspondence.

Depending on the circumstances, customer instructions should identify applicable requirements such as:

• Inspections, testing, repairs, or overhaul
• Alterations or modifications
• Airworthiness Directive (AD) compliance
• Required parts replacement
• Special maintenance requirements
• Required documentation or release requirements

SEA reviews these instructions, confirms the understood requirements through its quotation/work-order process, and performs the authorized work in accordance with its approved procedures.

Why Clear Instructions Matter

A purchase order stating simply "Repair" or "Repair as Necessary" may communicate the basic intent of an order, but it may not identify every maintenance or documentation requirement applicable to that aircraft or component.

If a specific AD, modification, inspection, or documentation requirement is needed, it should be clearly identified in the customer's instructions. Requirements that have not been communicated to the repair station should not be assumed to be included within the authorized work scope.

Clear instructions help avoid additional communication, revised quotations, documentation changes, and unnecessary delays.

Understanding the Responsibilities

The relationship can be summarized simply:

The customer defines what is required. SEA performs and documents the authorized work in accordance with its approved procedures.

SEA's UK CAA Supplement states:

“The customer remains responsible for correctly informing the repair station, by clearly stated instructions, of all required maintenance and alterations to their component(s) or aircraft.”

SEA is responsible for properly processing those instructions, performing the authorized maintenance, and ensuring the completeness and compliance of the completed work order.

Before Sending an Aircraft or Component to SEA

Customers requiring work under SEA's UK CAA approval should ensure their purchase order or work instructions clearly identify the requested maintenance, applicable ADs or modifications, special requirements, and required documentation.

If you are uncertain whether SEA can perform a particular requirement or provide specific documentation, we encourage you to discuss those requirements with us before issuing your purchase order or shipping the component.

Clear customer instructions combined with SEA's approved maintenance procedures help ensure regulatory compliance and an efficient return to service.