Who establishes mandatory replacement times for critical turbine engine components?

• A. The engine manufacturer
• B. The regulatory authority
• C. The airframe manufacturer
• D. The maintenance organization

Answer: (A)

The concept at work is that the life limits and mandatory replacement times for critical turbine engine components come from the engine’s designer. The engine manufacturer performs the engineering study—fatigue analysis, wear, and failure modes—to determine how long each part can safely operate. Those life limits are then published in the maintenance data and become the standard the operator must follow. The regulatory authority may approve and enforce these limits, but the authority does not originate them; they come from the engine designer. The airframe manufacturer handles airframe components, not internal engine life limits, and a maintenance organization carries out inspections and replacements using the manufacturer’s data rather than setting the replacement times themselves.