Deferring Discrepancies

This page allows you to defer discrepancies. Tell me more.

Select the “Create Deferral Report” link in the “Select Discrepancies / Maintenance Reports” page.

The “Defer Discrepancies” page appears.

The system displays the following fields:

Date Format

The format in which the date fields appears in this page. This format is displayed from the "User Preferences" business component based on the login user ID. In case the format is not defined, the system displays the date format from the “Enterprise Modeling” business component by default.

The system displays the following field in the “Maint. Report Details” group box:

Note: This group box appears collapsed on launch of the page.

Discrepancy #

A unique number identifying the maintenance report. If you have selected a maintenance report in the previous page, then this field displays the number of the selected maintenance report.

If you have selected a group of discrepancies to be deferred, then the system generates a unique maintenance report number and displays it in this field. The number is displayed with the corresponding prefix and suffix based on the user-defined numbering type selected in this page. The number is incremented from the last number available in the “Document Numbering Class” business component.

Enter the following fields:

Numbering Type

Use the drop-down list box to select the numbering type for the maintenance report. The system lists all the numbering types that have already been defined in the “Create Numbering Class” activity of the “Document Numbering Class” business component and that are in the “Active” status. By default, the system displays the numbering type set as default in the “Document Numbering Class” business component.

Note: If you have already selected a maintenance report in the previous page, then this field displays the option “None”.

Discrepancy Description

The description of the discrepancy that you want to defer (Alphanumeric, 255).

Priority #

Use the drop-down list box to assign a priority for the discrepancy. The system lists all the values defined in the “Common Master” business component, which are in “Active” status.

By default, this field displays the priority previously set for the discrepancy, if any.

The system displays the following:

Record Status	The status of the discrepancy or maintenance report, which can be “Fresh”, “Pending” or “Pending Deferral”.
Processing Status	The processing status of the discrepancy, which can be “None” or “Under Analysis”.

Enter the following:

Tracking Status

Use the drop-down list box to specify the tracking status of the discrepancy. The system displays all the active codes that are defined for the “Tracking status” attribute in the “Maintain Discrepancy Attribute” activity of the “Common Masters” business component.

ATA #

The ATA chapter for which the discrepancy is being reported (Alphanumeric, 16). Ensure that the ATA chapter number is already defined in the “Create ATA Chapter” activity of the “Aircraft” business component.

The system defaults the ATA # of the discrepancy.

Help facility available.

The system displays the following field in the “Maint. Object Details” group box:

Aircraft Reg #	The registration number of the aircraft for which discrepancies are being deferred. For main base operations, the Aircraft corresponding to the selected discrepancy # must be online.
Aircraft Model #	The model number of the aircraft for which discrepancies are being deferred.
Part # / Serial #	The part # and serial #for which a discrepancy has been reported.
Component #	The number identifying the component for which the discrepancy has been reported.

Enter the following fields in the “Discrepancy Details” multiline:

Discrepancy #

The number identifying the discrepancy that must be deferred (Alphanumeric, 40).

Help facility available.

Note: The record status of the discrepancy entered should be either “Pending” or “Pending Deferral”. Ensure that the selected discrepancy number is not included in any other maintenance report. Also, the selected discrepancy must be applicable to "Aircraft" and raised on the aircraft registration number displayed above the multiline.

Log Item #

The code identifying the log item # that contains the discrepancy details (Alphanumeric, 40)

The system displays the following:

Discrepancy Description

The textual description of the selected discrepancy.

Discrepancy Type

The type of the discrepancy, which can be one of the following:

PIREP– discrepancies reported by the pilot in the “Journey Log”.
MIREP – discrepancies reported by the mechanic in the work orders.
Cabin - discrepancies reported by the cabin crew and Flight Attendants.
Non-Routine - non-routine discrepancies reported by the mechanics at the time of the execution.

Note: If the discrepancy type is “PIREP”, then the selected discrepancies must belong to the same source document.

Discrepancy Category	The user-defined category that has been defined for the discrepancy.
Processing Status	The processing status of the discrepancy, which can be “None”, “Under Analysis” and “Analyzed”.
Tracking Status	The user-defined tracking status defined for the discrepancy.
ATA #	The ATA chapter on which the discrepancy has been reported.
Fault #	The fault code defined in the “Fault Isolation Manual” business component that is applicable for the discrepancy being reported.
Source Document Type	The type of the source document in which the discrepancy was reported.
Source Document #	The number identifying the source document in which the discrepancy was reported.
Reported Date	The date on which the discrepancy was reported.
File Name	The name of the file corresponding to the source document.

Enter the following fields in the “Deferral Details” group box:

Deferral Type

Use the drop-down list box to specify the deferral type for the discrepancy. The system lists the values “MEL”, “CDL” and all the other deferral types that are defined as “Active” in the “Configure Document Attributes” activity of the “Common Masters” business component.

MEL – refers to Minimum Equipment List approved by the local airworthiness authority, which may remain in an unserviceable state for a certain period, but still provide an acceptable level of safety in the operation of the aircraft.
CDL - listing of FAA-approved non-structural external parts that may be missing but the airplane remains airworthy.

This field is set to “CDL” by default.

Reason for Deferral

Use the drop-down list box to specify the reason for deferring the discrepancy. The system lists all the active quick codes for “Reason for Deferral” type that have been defined in the “Compliance Tracking & Control” business component.

If a maintenance report has been selected in the previous page, then this field is set to the reason that is already specified for the report. Otherwise, this field is left blank by default.

Deferral Limit Type

Use the drop-down list box to specify the deferral limit type. The drop-down box displays deferral limit types based on the deferral type of the discrepancy. If the deferral type is “MEL” or “CDL”, the available options are:

“Calender Based” - Select this option if the discrepancy has to be deferred based on the time specified.
“Usage Based” – Select this option if the discrepancy has to be deferred till the value specified for the usage parameter is reached.
“Usage & Calender Based” – Select this option if the maintenance report has to be deferred till the specified time as well as the specified parameter value is reached.

This field is set to “Calender Based” by default.

Deferral Limit Basis

Use the drop-down list box to specify the deferral limit basis, which could be one of the following:

“Whichever is earlier” – If you select this option, then the discrepancy will be deferred based on the time specified or usage specified, whichever terminates earlier.
“Whichever is later” – If you select this option, then the discrepancy will be deferred based on the time specified or usage specified, whichever terminates later.

The above two values are listed if the attribute “Enforce Deferral Item #” defined for the selected Deferral Type is set as “Yes” in the “Configure Document Attributes” activity of the “Common Masters” business component.

The above values are listed along with blank, if the attribute “Enforce Deferral Item #” defined for the selected Deferral Type is set as “No”.

This field is defaulted with the limit basis defined for the deferral item # for the aircraft model, if the discrepancy is deferred by a valid deferral type & item # combination.

Deferral Item #

The deferral item number against which a discrepancy has been reported Mandatory (Alphanumeric, 150). For any deferral type, you can specify new deferral item #. However, when you specify new deferral item #, it is mandatory that you also provide the following details: “Deferral Limit Type”, “deferral Limit Basis”, “Deferral Duration Limit” and “Deferral Duration”.

Help facility available.

Note: If the “Deferral Type” is set to “MEL” or “CDL” and if you specify valid deferral item #, the system retrieves the MEL or CDL category for the deferral item number. For the MEL or CDL category, the system retrieves the “Limit Type”, “Limit Basis”, “Deferral Duration Limit” and “Deferral Duration” as defined in the “Configuration” business component and displays them.

Limit Control

Use the drop-down list box to specify the limit control, which could be one of the following:

Hard – Denotes that the discrepancy must be strictly processed within the deferred date or value.
Suggested – Denotes that a superior can further defer the discrepancy.

If a discrepancy has been selected in the previous page, then this field is set to the deferral limit type that is already specified for the discrepancy. Otherwise, this field is set to “Hard” by default.

Note: The “Suggested” option will not be available, if the “Deferral Type” field is set to “MEL” or “CDL”.

The system displays the following fields:

Deferral Item Description	The textual description of the deferral item selected.
Deferral Item Category	The category to which the deferral item belongs.

Enter the following:

Deferral Authorization #	The authorization number for the deferral (Alphanumeric, 40). If the component that is being deferred belongs to MEL, then you must obtain an authorization from a superior. The relevant authorization number must be entered here. For deferral types “MEL” and “CDL” the deferral authorization # is mandatory, if "Mandate Authorization Reference #?" for the deferral type is set to "Yes" in the Configure Document Attributes activity of Common Masters business component.
Repeat?	Use the drop-down list box to specify whether the discrepancy requires inspection at specified intervals. The system lists the following values: Yes - Select this option to specify that the discrepancy needs to be re-inspected at specified intervals. No - Select this option to specify that the discrepancy need not be re-inspected. The system displays “No” by default, if this page is invoked from “Defer Discrepancies” activity. This field displays the previously specified saved value, if this page is invoked from entry page of “Edit Deferral Report” activity.
Hold Item #	The hold item # of the discrepancy.
Source Type & No	Use the drop-down list box to select the source of the discrepancy, which could be discrepancy or task. Specify the ID of the discrepancy or the task in the field located alongside (Alphanumeric, 40).
Deferral Comments	Any comments regarding the deferral can be entered here (Alphanumeric, 2000).

Note: If the “Deferral Limit Type” is set to “Event Based”, ensure that the “Maintenance Event” field is not left blank.

The system displays the following in the “Calendar Based Deferral Details” group box:

Deferral Duration Limit

The maximum number of hours, days or months for which the discrepancy can be deferred. Note that the deferral duration limit is defined for deferral type, deferral item # and deferral category of an aircraft model.

Threshold Date

The maximum date by which the discrepancy must be processed.

More details

Enter the following:

Deferral Duration

The duration for which the discrepancy has been deferred (Numeric).

By default, this field displays the deferral duration defined for the deferral category of the deferral item # in the Configuration component, if the deferral type is “MEL” or “CDL” and the deferral item # you specify is valid and Active for the deferral type. You can override this and specify the deferral duration of your choice. However, the deferral duration you specify must not exceed the duration defined for the calendar based or usage based and calendar based deferral limit type for the deferral category. The system does not allow you to specify any value, if the deferral duration is not defined for the calendar based or usage based and calendar based deferral limit type for the deferral category of the deferral item #.

The system displays the following in the “Usage Limited Deferral Details” multiline:

Parameter	The parameters defined for the aircraft in the “Aircraft” business component.
UOM	The unit of measurement defined for the parameter.
Enter the following field:
Reference Value	The reference value of the parameter for the aircraft. The value entered here must be positive.
Deferral Limit	The maximum limit until which the discrepancy can be deferred from the reference value.

Note: The “Deferral Limit” for a parameter is defined in the “Configuration” business component.

Enter the following field:

Deferral Value

The value until which the discrepancy must be deferred.

By default, this field displays the deferral value defined for the parameter for the deferral category of the deferral item # in the Configuration component, if the deferral type is “MEL” or “CDL” and the deferral item # you specify is valid and Active for the deferral type. You can override this and specify the deferral duration of your choice. However, the deferral value you specify must not exceed the duration defined for the parameter of the usage based or usage based and calendar based deferral limit type for the deferral category.

If multiple parameters exist for usage-based deferral limit type, deferral value must be defined for at least one of the parameters. For usage based and calendar based deferral limit type, deferral value for at least one of the parameters and deferral duration must be defined for the deferral category.

Note: Ensure that the deferral value is not greater than the deferral limit.

The system displays the following fields:

Threshold Value

The maximum limit until which the discrepancy can be deferred. This value is a sum of the “Reference value” and “Deferral Value”.

The system calculates the threshold date based on the option selected for the parameter (HHMM or Decimal Format) in the Aircraft business component while parameter creation.

Deferred Till Date

The maximum date until which the discrepancy can be deferred. The system calculates this date as follows:

The value in the “Deferral Value” field is converted into days based on the average value or forecast factor specified for the parameter in the “Aircraft” business component.
The number of days arrived at, is added to the creation date of the deferral report, to arrive at the “Deferred Till Date”.

More Details

Parameter Description

The textual description of the parameter.

Check the box in the “Select” column of the multiline to select the discrepancy for deferral.

Note: Ensure that only one record is entered in the multiline on recording and confirming the deferral.

Click the “Record Deferral” pushbutton to record the deferral.

The status of the discrepancy in the report changes to “Pending deferral”.On refreshing the current page, the “Reference Value” field will display the value entered for recording the deferral. The system computes Threshold Dates and Deferred Till Dates and saves them for the discrepancy.

Click the “Confirm Deferral” pushbutton to confirm the deferral and create a maintenance report.

The status of the discrepancy in the report changes to “Deferred”.

Click the “Delete Deferral” pushbutton to delete the deferred status of the discrepancy.

If the “Processing Status” of the maintenance report is “Under Analysis”, then the record status is set to “Fresh”. If the “Processing Status” of the maintenance report is “Analyzed”, then the record status is set to “Pending”. If the record status of the maintenance report is “Pending deferral”, then the record status is set to “Pending”, and usage limited deferral details, if any, are deleted.

Click the “Cancel Report” pushbutton to cancel the selected maintenance report.

Note: Only those maintenance reports that are in the “Fresh”, “Pending” or “Pending Deferral” status, can be canceled. Also, the processing status of the maintenance report should be “None” or “Under Analysis”.

On cancellation, the record status of the maintenance report is set to “Cancelled”. The discrepancies are unmapped from the report and their status is set to “Pending”.

The system displays the following field in the “Record Statistics” group box:

Created By	The name of the user who created the deferral report.
Created Date	The date on which the deferral report was created.
Last Modified By	The name of the user who modified the deferral report.
Last Modified Date	The date on which the deferral report was last modified.

Prerequisite

Discrepancies must have been reported in the “Flight Log”, “Component work order” or “Hangar Work Order” business components.

Deferring discrepancies – An overview

This page allows you to defer discrepancies. You can group more than one discrepancy in a maintenance report. Once this is done, you can specify the deferral details and defer the discrepancies. You can define time-based or usage-based schedules for the deferral.

What you can do in this page

Group multiple discrepancies to create a single maintenance report

Specify deferral details

Group multiple discrepancies to create a single maintenance report

Discrepancies that are similar in nature can be grouped together to form a single maintenance report. You can defer this maintenance report later, thereby deferring all the discrepancies belonging to the maintenance report.

Use the Group. Ref # field in the multiline to assign a reference number for a group of discrepancies. Use the same reference number for discrepancies of similar nature.

Specify deferral details

Set the “Deferral Type” field to MEL to indicate that, the discrepancy reported for an item included in the minimum equipment list is being deferred.
Set the “Deferral Type” field to CDL to indicate that, the discrepancy reported for an item included in the Component Deviation list is being deferred.
Set the “Limit Control” field to “Hard” to indicate that the discrepancy has to be processed within the deferred date and time.
Set the “Limit Control” field to “Suggested” to indicate that the discrepancy can be further deferred by a superior.