AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT ORGANIZATION

The aircraft maintenance department supports naval operations by the upkeep of aircraft and associated support equipment to the assigned level of maintenance. This support is accomplished while adhering to the organizational principles and objectives as prescribed in the latest revision of the NAMP (OPNAVINST 4790.2).

Since all maintenance activities have similarities in mission, operation, and administration, it is only reasonable that they be standardized in these areas as much as possible. A standard maintenance department that is properly organized and administered ranks high in the following areas:

1. Performance and training of maintenance personnel

2. Aircraft, equipment, and system readiness

3. Safety

4. Employment of manpower and materials

5. Planning and scheduling of the workload

6. Management control of the organization

7. Evaluation of work performance

8. Combat readiness of the unit

9. Continuity when aircraft and/or personnel are transferred between commands

The objectives of these areas cannot be met by means of a manual or an organization structure alone. They are met by the intelligent efforts of all naval personnel engaged in the maintenance tasks. Specific functions of aircraft maintenance departments include the following:

1. Periodic maintenance and routine inspection and servicing of aircraft, associated support equipment, and aeronautical material and components, including the necessary disassembly, cleaning, examination, repair, modification, test, inspection, assembly, and preservation

2. Special work (when required) to comply with technical directives or local instructions

3. Correction of aircraft and equipment discrepancies

4. Assurance of high quality in all work

5. Maintenance of required records and technical publications

6. Maintenance and custody of tools and other equipment provided the activity for its own use

7. Training of assigned personnel

8. Conducting maintenance and ground handling safety programs

9. Submission of reports for statistical, analytical, and historical purposes

The depth and complexity of specific functions vary with the number and type of aircraft involved and the assigned maintenance level. The aircraft maintenance organizations that are covered in the rest of this chapter are the intermediate and organizational levels. These are the basic levels to which the NAMP is directed. Activities that perform these levels of maintenance are also the activities to which you will most likely be assigned.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

An organizational structure is created by the various responsibilities that are needed before a prescribed mission can be accomplished. These responsibilities are assigned to each segment (division, branch, section, or work center) of the organization. Structure design involves defining the responsibilities growing out of assigned tasks, tracing relationships required among segments of the organization, and designing the means by which instructions are given to begin or stop an action directed by someone in charge.

A line relationship, normally shown in a vertical line on an organization chart, is a relationship that exists between a superior and subordinate within both staff and line segments of the organization. This relationship may be identified as a direct supervisory relationship involving work assignments to subordinates. On the other hand, the staff relationship (normally shown as a horizontal line feeding into the main arteries of the organization) is the relationship that exists between a staff supervisor and a production line supervisor. Staff personnel are concerned with administrative service and support of the production effort.

MANAGEMENT

Management is the exercise of authority and responsibility for the performance of the mission, tasks, and work of the maintenance department. The organizational structure requires that the maintenance officer (with the aid of subordinate officers) manage the maintenance department and be responsible to the commanding officer for the accomplishment of the department's mission. The maintenance officer directs the maintenance department in accordance with directives from higher authority.