What Is an Aircraft Maintenance Program (AMP)?

With the recent launch of the Aircraft Maintenance Programs Body of Knowledge (AMP-BOK), professionals now have a structured reference outlining the knowledge, best practices, and methodologies for AMP development and management. It’s a good opportunity to revisit the fundamentals of Aircraft Maintenance Programs.

An Aircraft Maintenance Program (AMP) is a document which describes the specific scheduled maintenance tasks and their frequency of completion and related procedures, such as a reliability program, necessary for the safe operation of those aircraft to which it applies.

In simple terms, an AMP is a plan that lists all the scheduled maintenance work an aircraft needs, how often it must be done, and any related processes—such as monitoring the reliability of parts. Its main goal is to ensure the aircraft remains airworthy, meaning it meets its approved design and is in a safe condition for operation.

Some regulators, such as the FAA, refer to the AMP as a Maintenance Schedule, but the concept remains the same.

Instructions for Continuing Airworthiness (ICAs)

Instructions for Continuing Airworthiness (ICAs) form the technical and regulatory foundation of any AMP. ICAs are developed by the manufacturer in accordance with the applicable certification basis. They provide operators with the information necessary to develop their own AMP.

While the AMP builds upon manufacturer guidance, its final content is governed by the regulatory environment, which may vary between authorities such as EASA and FAA.

From MPD to AMP

The AMP is initially developed from the Maintenance Planning Document (MPD), a repository document that compiles maintenance tasks derived from requirements established during type certification and other approved sources, linking them to the corresponding maintenance instructions. For example, ICA-defined tasks are associated with procedures in the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM).

The MPD is based on primary sources, which are maintenance requirements established during type certification, and may also reflect secondary sources—requirements developed after type certification, derived from air operations regulations or based on specific approvals.

Primary Sources (established during type certification):

• Maintenance Review Board Report (MRBR)

• Airworthiness Limitations Section (ALS)

• Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMR)

Secondary Sources (derived from regulatory, operational, or service considerations):

• Regulatory requirements of the State of Registry

• Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

• Operational requirements: RVSM, RNAV, RNP, EDTO/ETOPS, AWOPS, emergency equipment

• Low Utilization Recommendations (LUR)

• Supplemental Structural Inspection Documents (SSID)

• Life Extension Programs (LEP)

• Repetitive requirements from Service Bulletins (SB) and Service Letters (SLs)

• Repetitive requirements and limitations from modifications and repairs

• Component manufacturer recommendations

Smaller manufacturers often include more of these secondary sources directly in the MPD to simplify AMP development for their operators, while larger manufacturers may leave the evaluation and incorporation of secondary sources to the operator, allowing greater flexibility and customization.

Primary sources establish the minimum ICA necessary for an initial AMP, providing the baseline maintenance tasks required for airworthiness. Secondary sources, which may extend beyond the MPD, offer additional guidance derived from regulatory requirements, operational needs, service experience, and manufacturer recommendations.

Operators may also include their own instructions, such as reliability-related tasks based on the embodiment of non-mandatory recommendations (e.g., SB, SL, CMM), as well as operator standards for comfort, cabin appearance, or internal quality items.

Structure of the AMP

An AMP generally contains three core provisions:

1. Preamble – includes definitions of maintenance tasks and checks, and the procedures necessary to manage the AMP.

2. Scheduled Maintenance Sections – details of repetitive maintenance tasks, intervals, and associated limitations, including both on-wing and off-wing maintenance.

3. Reliability Program – a structured approach to monitor aircraft systems and performance trends, and evaluate the effectiveness of the AMP.

Maintenance tasks included in the AMP have defined intervals, typically based on flight hours, cycles, or calendar time as specified in the ICAs. Operators often group these tasks into maintenance checks, such as A-Checks or C-Checks, and may divide checks into phases to suit operational needs. This is acceptable as long as no task exceeds its prescribed interval.

The AMP is not a static document. It is subject to periodic review and amendment to ensure it remains up to date and effective, taking into account operating experience, reliability data, applicable regulatory requirements, and new or revised maintenance instructions issued by the type certificate or supplemental type certificate holders.

Conclusion

The Aircraft Maintenance Program (AMP) is the operator-specific document that translates manufacturer guidance, regulatory requirements, and airworthiness limitations into a structured, approved and executable plan for continuing airworthiness of a specific aircraft type.

Discover the Aircraft Maintenance Programs Body of Knowledge (AMP‑BOK) →