Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Weight And Balance
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Human Factors; Logbook Entry; Aircraft; Procedure
We had a Functional Check Flight (FCF) in the last couple of weeks that once airborne there was the determination to change its plan and arrival airport to a different airport with a different flight plan entirely; with Director of Operations approval. This brings up several flags and possible safety concerns. 1. Why is the Dispatcher not getting copy of the Maintenance Check Flight (FCF) form prior to planning the flight plan?  Inserts from the FOM would indicate to me that the Dispatcher should be required to get a copy of the [FCF] form prior to Planning and Releasing the flight. 2. The guidance is that the Director of Operations must approve a destination other than the point of departure.  a) Why is this not predetermined before the aircraft pushes back for original departure?    i) Better flight planning  ii) Better ATC coordination iii) Better fuel planning   NOTE: I do not understand the perceived secrecy. Why can't the communication upfront be if it [FCF] passes; we would like the aircraft to go to this destination and if it fails we would like it to go to this destination. The other issue is why the Dispatcher/Pilot is not getting a confirmed copy of the Director of Operations approval.I would like a review of the Maintenance Flight Check (FCF) current Dispatchers procedures and if it warrants; I request the Company comply with the following recommendation:1. Dispatcher receives a copy of the FCF Maintenance form and a joint briefing with the Crew from Maintenance Control on what is being checked.2. Dispatcher and the Flight Crew receives a copy of the Director of Operations approval to continue to a different destination other than the departure airport. 3. Communication on where the Company would prefer the aircraft land in either case [of a] pass or fail of the Maintenance Flight Check (FCF)Functional Check Flight Procedures:The purpose of a Functional Check Flight is to verify the in-flight operation of an aircraft system or component that has undergone a repair or alteration that may have affected the aircraft's flight characteristics. The Director of Operations must approve a destination other than the point of departure.A thorough brief with the Maintenance representative regarding the type of check and each person's responsibilities is extremely important. Review the Maintenance Functional Check Flight Report for correct information.Ensure Maintenance has a current copy of the Functional Check Flight procedures. For any questions; contact the Chief Pilot on Call; Dispatch; Maintenance Control; or all three.Prior to Flight:Upon arrival contact Dispatch and coordinate the route; release; and aircraft location information.Additional calls to Maintenance Control; Maintenance Base; or Ground Operations may be necessary to facilitate a timely departure (e.g.; aircraft location; whether the aircraft is fueled; whether a Check Airman is required). The Flight Deck Crew must review the flight requirements with Maintenance as outlined in the MPM and the Maintenance FCF form.Dispatch notifies the Chief Pilot on Call; and a conference call allows Maintenance; Dispatch; and the Chief Pilot on Call to evaluate all pertinent details.Flight Planning:Company Air Carrier Dispatcher will issue a Standard Release for each Functional Check Flight. Typically; a round-robin flight plan is used for the flight. Pilot coordination with ATC for specific airspace requirements is required.Dispatch must brief the Captain on the route of flight given to ATC. The flight plan will be dependent on Functional Check Flight requirements. In no case will check flights requiring Manual Reversion be accomplished below 10;000 ft AGL.Weather Conditions:The weather conditions for the functional check flight must be evaluated by the Captain; Dispatcher; and Chief Pilot on Call.The actual check portion for the flight (including elevator and trim tab checks) must be conducted clear of clouds. Weather at the origin and the destination of the check flight must be at or above landing minimums.For all Functional Check Flights; the fuel load will be determined by Dispatch and agreed upon by the Captain by signing the Functional Check Flight Dispatch Release.Aircraft Logbook Procedures:If an aircraft is released from any Maintenance Check and a Functional Check Flight is required; Maintenance will make an Airworthiness Release for the Maintenance Check performed prior to the check flight.Prior to each Functional Check Flight; Maintenance enters a defect in the aircraft Logbook using the following or similarly worded statement: 'Aircraft requires Functional Check Flight for ______ (reason). Reference: Maintenance Check Flight.'Note: A Maintenance Functional Check Flight Report must be used for each functional check flight performed.The resolution remains open until completion of the Functional Check Flight. When the aircraft returns from the Functional Check Flight; the Mechanic or Inspector reviews the Captain's entry on the Maintenance Check Flight form and completes the resolution block with one of the following or similarly worded statements; as applicable (all defects must be entered in the aircraft Logbook):'Aircraft passed Functional Check Flight. Reference Maintenance Check Flight form.''Aircraft failed Functional Check Flight. Reference Maintenance Check Flight form.'An Airworthiness Release must be completed at the conclusion of the successful functional check flight or after a failed functional check flight upon correction of all defects.Maintenance Functional Check Flight Report:When a Functional Check Flight is required or requested by an authorized person; the Captain and Maintenance must complete the Maintenance Check Flight form. After completion of the flight; the Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) or Supervisor submits the form to Maintenance Aircraft Records with the appropriate aircraft work package.1. For an aircraft being released from a Maintenance Check; the AMT or Contract (on-call) Maintenance documents the completion of the check in the aircraft Logbook.2. In the Defect section of the next unused aircraft logbook page; the AMT or contract (on-call) Maintenance makes an entry that remains open until completion of the Functional Check Flight.Note: When a Functional Check Flight reflight is required; a new aircraft Logbook page and Maintenance Check form are completed for each individual Functional Check Flight.3. For an aircraft requiring a Maintenance Ferry Flight for other repairs after completion of the Functional Check Flight; the AMT or Contract (on-call) maintenance ensures the open defects requiring the Maintenance Ferry Flight are documented in the aircraft Logbook.4. Upon completion of the Functional Check Flight; the AMT or Contract (on-call) maintenance completes the Postflight Section of the Maintenance Check form; and ensures that defects noted during the functional check flight are entered into the aircraft logbook.5. Upon completion of the Functional Check Flight; the AMT or Contract (on-call) maintenance Closes the open aircraft Logbook defect using one of the following (or similarly worded) statements: 'Aircraft Passed FCF. Reference Maintenance Check form' or 'Aircraft Failed FCF. Reference Maintenance Check form.'Note: When a subsequent Functional Check Flight reflight is required; a new aircraft Logbook page and Maintenance Check Flight are completed for each individual Functional Check Flight.6. Upon completion of a successful Functional Check Flight; the AMT or Contract (on-call) maintenance signs the Airworthiness Release.7. The AMT; Contract (on-call) Maintenance; Maintenance Supervisor; or Line Maintenance Supervisor notifies the Maintenance Controller of the outcome of the Functional Check Flight and the requirements for any subsequent Functional Check Flight.Director of Maintenance (DOM) Flight Authorization and Flight Plan Preparation:[14 CFR Part 91][14 CFR Part 121][FOM 20.10]:All flights flown by company Flight Deck Crews; or all flights using company aircraft; are released and monitored by Dispatch. Maintenance Ferry Flights; and Special Permit Ferry flights are authorized by Company Maintenance Control Pilot trainers; initiated by Dispatchers within company Communications System. Release to be issued by a qualified Dispatcher.
Pilot questions why their dispatcher(s) are not getting a copy of their Maintenance Check Flight form prior to planning a Functional Check Flight (FCF) flight plan. He also questions the practice by the Director of Operations of determining; once airborne; where the airplane will go after a pass or fail Functional Check Flight becomes known. The perceived secrecy does not allow the check flight crew to effectively plan the flight and leads to degraded ATC coordination.