functions to a specific level; assign maintenance tasks that are consistent with the complexity, depth, scope, and range of work to be performed; accomplish any maintenance task ensuring optimum use of resources; and collect, analyze, and use data to assist all levels of management concerned with the NAMP.

When a new aircraft model is accepted for naval service, it fills a specific need for a given length of time. Adequate personnel, facilities, and material for maintenance support of these aircraft for this length of time are planned and assigned in accordance with where, how, and when these aircraft will be used. Therefore, it is necessary for all naval aircraft maintenance personnel to have a thorough knowledge of the NAMP rules and regulations.

MAINTENANCE LEVELS

The term aircraft maintenance has a very general meaning, ranging from minutes of squadron servicing to months of overhaul in an industrial-type facility. More than the words maintenance or aircraft maintenance is needed to indicate a specific meaning. The present Navy concept is to divide all aircraft maintenance functions into three distinct levels. The terms used to describe these levels are organizational maintenance, intermediate maintenance, and depot maintenance.

Organizational Maintenance (Level 1 Maintenance)

Organizational maintenance is work performed by an operating unit on a day-to-day basis in support of its own operations. Maintenance performed at this level includes line operations (such as servicing, preflight inspections, and minor adjustments, in preparation for flight); periodic inspections of aircraft and equipment and the associated tests, repairs, and adjustments that do not require shop facilities; and component removal and installation. Organizational-level work is done in facilities assigned to the operating units. The assigned facilities may be used exclusively by a single large squadron, or they may be shared with one or more small units.

In an operating activity, organizational maintenance is performed by permanently assigned personnel. Organizational maintenance at naval air stations (on aircraft assigned to the station) is a function of the operations maintenance division (OMD). The OMD also provides organizational maintenance and other assistance to transient aircraft, as directed by higher authority.

Intermediate Maintenance (Level 2 Maintenance)

Intermediate maintenance is work performed in centrally located facilities for the support of operating activities within a designated geographical area, at a particular base or station, or aboard aviation ships. This level of maintenance includes shop-type repair and test work on aircraft, components, and equipment from the supported units, including station aircraft. Technical assistance (when required) is furnished by personnel of the intermediate maintenance facility to the supported operating activities. Also, aircraft intermediate maintenance departments (AIMDs) provide facilities and equipment to supported activities for the performance of organizational-level aircraft maintenance.

NOTE: The aircraft intermediate maintenance department is commonly referred to as the SUPPORTING activity, and the organizational maintenance activity (squadron) as the SUPPORTED activity.

Intermediate maintenance activities are manned by permanently assigned personnel and by personnel temporarily assigned from the tenant squadrons. When these squadrons deploy, their intermediate maintenance personnel accompany the squadron, and they are then temporarily assigned to the AIMD on board the ship or at the new station.

Depot Maintenance (Level 3 Maintenance)

Depot maintenance is work that must be done in an industrial-type facility. Such a facility may be either military or civilian. If the work is contracted out to a civilian facility, the type of work is still depot maintenance. This level of maintenance (standard depot-level maintenance or SDLM) includes overhaul and major repair or modification of aircraft, components, and equipments. It also includes the manufacture of specified aeronautical parts to be stocked as spares and the manufacture of kits for authorized aircraft and equipment modification. Installation of these spare parts and the incorporation of the modification kits may be done at this level or at a lower level of maintenance.