If a Fiji-registered aircraft is operating outside Fiji, most maintenance on it can be performed and certified for release-to-service (RTS) by a foreign maintenance engineer.

Those engineers, however, must hold:

• An appropriate Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence (AMEL), that has been reviewed and deemed acceptable by CAAF, or;
• An equivalent document issued by a contracting State to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), that has been reviewed and deemed acceptable by CAAF.

The licence needs to include ratings/privileges for the area of maintenance the maintenance engineer is performing. For instance, if they’re carrying out a 100-hour inspection, they need the appropriate ratings/privileges for the airframe and powerplant.

The maintenance has to be performed and certified according to Fiji Air Navigation Regulations and the appropriate CAAF Standards Documents.

Note: all Fiji-registered aircraft must display a DQ precursor, eg, DQ-ABC, while operating overseas.

Specifics

The aircraft is to be maintained to the requirements of Fiji Air Navigation Regulations and the appropriate CAAF Standards Documents.

The maintenance engineer must use the correct maintenance programme for the aircraft, as required by the Fiji Air Navigation Regulations and the appropriate CAAF Standards Documents.

If you’re intending to maintain a Fiji-registered aircraft being used for commercial operations outside Fiji, you need to get CAAF approval of your organisation.

That’s to ensure:

• The maintenance meets the standards of the Fiji Air Navigation Regulations and the appropriate CAAF Standards Documents (e.g., the maintenance engineer has the current revision of instructions for continuing airworthiness, technical data, adequate tools and facilities, correct documented parts
• The maintenance engineer is familiar with aircraft type, including related powerplant, propeller and avionics fit in accordance with the Fiji Air Navigation Regulations and the appropriate CAAF Standards Documents
• They understand the demarcation between the tasks they can perform and what tasks must be performed by a Part 145 certificated maintenance organisation, in accordance with the Fiji Air Navigation Regulations and the appropriate CAAF Standards Documents
• The LAME has appropriate rating/privilege on their AMEL in accordance with the Fiji Air Navigation Regulations and the appropriate CAAF Standards Documents e.g., any avionics work
• They meet the requirements for certifying RTS, including operational flight check in accordance with the Fiji Air Navigation Regulations and the appropriate CAAF Standards Documents
• RTS certifications are correct in accordance with the Fiji Air Navigation Regulations and the appropriate CAAF Standards Documents
• An appropriate duplicate safety inspection of flight control systems is carried out and certified in accordance with the Fiji Air Navigation Regulations and the appropriate CAAF Standards Documents
• Maintenance records requirements are met in accordance with the Fiji Air Navigation Regulations and the appropriate CAAF Standards Documents
• Engine ground runs are properly recorded in accordance with the Fiji Air Navigation Regulations and the appropriate CAAF Standards Documents.

What a foreign AMEL holder cannot do

There are two tasks that cannot be performed nor certified by a foreign AMEL holder. They must be performed by the holder of a CAA-issued certificate of inspection authorisation (IA) in accordance with the Fiji Air Navigation Regulations and the appropriate CAAF Standards Documents.

The two tasks are:

• A review of airworthiness – as required by the Fiji Air Navigation Regulations and the appropriate CAAF Standards Documents
• Major modifications or major repairs

Major modifications and repairs must be in accordance with acceptable technical data, and have appropriate IA conformity inspection and certification. IA conformity certification is required regardless of the source of the acceptable technical data. This includes a manufacturer’s service data (bulletins, instruction, and so on).​​​​​​​