Other Services
While processing and issuing Certificates of Airworthiness is our main function, Paper Planes provides a variety of additional services relating to maintenance, certification, import & export, aircraft acquisition & sales, delivery and interaction with government agencies both here and overseas.
Basically, we're flexible. If you have an issue relating to any aspect of aviation, contact us and we will work to find the best possible solution to your problem. Below are a few examples of where we know we can help.
Logbook Searches
Logbook searches and researching aircraft maintenance and airworthiness status are an integral part of the C of A process and are therefore something we are very familiar with, and there are many circumstances where it is either desirable or mandatory to know the exact status of an aircraft. Full maintenance reviews should not be confined to the C of A process, and many owners are surprised to find that they are not conducted on a regular basis by Maintenance Organisations.
For example, the Registered Operator of an aircraft is required by law to ensure that all required maintenance on an aircraft is carried out. Unfortunately, standards of maintenance planning and control can vary on aircraft in service. An item that is missed once may never be picked up again, or requirements that are unnecessary may still be being carried out on a regular basis costing time and money. A logbook search provides a 'fresh set of eyes' that may turn up problems before they become operationally catastrophic, or are picked up by CASA grounding the aircraft with the associated inconvenience and loss of revenue.
A Pre-Purchase Inspection of the aircraft's documentation may provide a potential buyer with information regarding 'deal breaker' items or provide them with leverage in the bargaining process. It is surprising to find that many owners who would insist on a technical report on the status of a car or house they are looking to buy will go through the purchase of an aircraft effectively 'sight unseen' without having a specialist read the information that is clearly presented in the aircraft's logbooks.
Please note: As Paper Planes is not a Maintenance Organisation, we cannot carry out a physical inspection of the aircraft for a Pre-Purchase Inspection. We will however work with your maintainers to guide them to areas of interest. As we are working with legally certified documents, certifications for completion of maintenance will be taken at face value. Paper Planes cannot accept liability for errors or omissions in these documents.
Maintenance Planning
Certificate of Airworthiness requirements and Maintenance Planning go hand in hand. With an extensive background in Maintenance Planning across most types of light fixed wing aircraft, Paper Planes is equipped to provide you with advice on selection of maintenance systems and critical reviews of ones that are already in place.
It is an offence under the Regulations for an aircraft to have a defective or inappropriate Maintenance Schedule or System of Maintenance. It is also an offence of Strict Liability (i.e.; there is no legal defence) for maintenance of an aircraft to not be carried out when required. Therefore periodic review of the appropriateness of the way in which your aircraft is maintained and the current maintenance status will assist both the Registered Operator in fulfilling their legal requirements, and provide the Registered Owner with reassurance that their investment is being properly cared for. It also gives aircraft maintainers an added degree of confidence that they are performing their duties appropriately.
Please note: Paper Planes staff are not available to perform the duties of a CAR (1988) 42ZW CASA Approved Maintenance Controller due to the significant time requirements of that position.
Ageing Aircraft Clearance
Aircraft with a Maximum Takeoff Weight in excess of 5700 kg (i.e.; most Commuter and Transport Category aircraft) and which are over 14 years old require special 'Ageing Aircraft' clearance from CASA's Engineering Section before they can be issued with an Australian C of A.
This clearance requires extensive research into the maintenance, damage and modification history as well as past operational roles, and is in addition to the C of A process. If clearance is not able to be obtained from CASA, it is a total 'deal breaker' and the aircraft will not be able to be issued with an Australian C of A. Alternatively, CASA may require engineering testing or modification of the aircraft beyond what would be economically viable. Obviously both of these situations are best discovered before the aircraft is purchased and delivered to Australia, although this clearance is often addressed as an afterthought.
In the case of an Australian registered aircraft which is refused clearance, it will also not be able to be issued with an Australian Export C of A, and in some cases may go into a regulatory limbo where it is never able to be operated or resold.
Paper Planes is able to dispatch staff to the aircraft at its point of origin anywhere in the world and prepare the required information for submission to CASA in advance of the purchase. If you're buying an aircraft which by its very nature will be worth many millions of dollars, this could be the wisest investment you will ever make.
Import & Export Clearance
Over the years, Paper Planes has been involved with the import and export of many aircraft. We are able to direct clients to Customs Brokers with experience in the Customs and Quarantine clearance of aircraft to and from Australia both by ferry flight and shipped in containers.
Aircraft Acquisition & Sales
No matter what section of aviation you operate in, Paper Planes is able to provide you with contacts to source a new or used aircraft to meet your needs, or to sell an aircraft at the end of your requirement. We can advise you on the suitability of an aircraft for a particular role, and any potential regulatory barriers to your intended use.
Aircraft Delivery
Paper Planes has close ties with many ferry pilots working individually or for aircraft delivery companies. We can provide clients with a short list of experienced pilots qualified for short or long range aircraft positioning flights for your aircraft.
Flight Training
With an extensive history in light general aviation, Paper Planes staff are able to match clients with flying schools and specialist training organisations who can provide endorsement and continuing training either in your own aircraft or their fleet. The correct training will ensure you get the most out of your aircraft.
Weight & Balance Control
Weight & Balance control is critical for aircraft operation, both in normal service and for unusual operations such as a delivery ferry flight in excess of the aircraft's Certified Maximum Takeoff Weight. Paper Planes uses a Weight Control Officer that we regard as the best in the business and are happy to recommend to clients. Weight & Balance and Aircraft Loading Systems can be developed either in Australia or overseas using verifiable data. Periodic physical weighing of aircraft can be carried out on-site at the client's maintenance facility on aircraft of all sizes.
Aircraft Modification
Whether you're looking to have a new avionics stack put in, an STC applied or a locally approved modification done to your aircraft, Paper Planes can refer clients to Aeronautical Engineers who can approve the work and Maintenance Organisations who can carry it out. On completion of the work, Paper Planes can review the aircraft certification and documentation to ensure that it complies with the relevant standards.
Aircraft Refurbishment
Most owners want their aircraft to look their best, and Paper Planes can provide clients with the relevant contacts in the world of aircraft paint scheme design, repainting services, interior refurbishment and aesthetic modifications. Once you have your aircraft looking the way you want it, we can refer you to interior and exterior cleaning specialists who can keep your aircraft looking like new.
Government Agencies
When carrying out certification activities, Paper Planes staff operate under authorities granted by the Australian Government and effectively act for the Government itself. As a consequence of this, we are able to provide insight and assistance to clients in dealing with all manner of Government Agencies in aviation related matters such as Noise and Environmental Certification, Radio Licencing, Aircraft Registration and Airspace Regulation, as well as quasi and non-Governmental Agencies such as airport operators.
Auditing
Paper Planes has in the past performed audits on Maintenance Organisations as required by their CASA Procedures Manual. While we don't carry out formally certified audits, our experience with the Australian Regulations, maintenance operations, development and maintenance of Procedures Manuals and compliance with CASA requirements allows us to perform basic routine compliance auditing.
Technical Review
Technical and convention errors abound in magazine and news articles as well as technical documentation when they are written by non-specialist personnel, or specialists from a non-native English speaking background. From University papers to magazine advertisements Paper Planes can provide final proofing to ensure that your writing will meet the critical standards for a professional audience. Please specify if you prefer US or British spelling conventions.
Advertising
If you have an aviation related product or service that you wish to promote, Paper Planes can call on the services of advertising professionals to make sure you create the required impact while maintaining industry relevance.
Journalism
From serious exposé articles to simple lifestyle pieces, Paper Planes can arrange to have any article on any subject written by professional Australian journalists. The article can be as technical or general as you require and written for either Australian or overseas readers.