An aircraft maintenance work order is a document that is given to a commercial or civilian maintenance crew that states the work that needs to be performed on a plane. Work orders can be used for one-time and routine aircraft maintenance.

What is an Aircraft Maintenance Work Order?

Aircraft maintenance work orders are created to let maintenance technicians know exactly what the Maintenance, Repair, or Overhaul (MRO) is needed to be performed on an aircraft. Both civilians and managerial maintenance personnel can request work orders depending on the type of aircraft being maintained and the facility in which the work is being done. At the completion of the requested work, the technician overseeing that the job is completed correctly must complete a “maintenance release,” also called the Certificate of Release to Service (CRS), which is their signed approval that aircraft meets all airworthiness requirements. In addition to completing the CRS, technicians must create detailed records of all maintenance performed as mandated by Title 14, § 91.417 (“Maintenance records”).

What to Include in the Work Order

Work orders should lean towards recording more information, rather than less, due to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s requirements for maintenance record keeping. At a minimum, the following points of information should be included:

• Customer info
  • Name
  • Address
  • Phone
  • Email
• Aircraft information
  • Registration number
  • Serial number
  • Total time of aircraft
  • Reg. # and serial # for each engine
• Detailed information of the problem / required maintenance
• Required parts / materials
• Planned departure date
• Work begin and end dates
• Maintenance release
• Terms and conditions
• Signature of individual requesting work