Aircraft Maintenance Programs

This book, now in an updated and expanded second edition, provides the only comprehensive comparison of the Aircraft Maintenance Program (AMP) requirements of the world’s leading aviation regulators today: the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It offers an in-depth examination of the elements of an AMP, explaining the aircraft accident investigations and events that have shaped and informed the current rules.

By introducing the Triangle of Airworthiness model (Reliability, Quality, and Safety), this book enables easier understanding of the processes by which an aircraft and its components are deemed to be in a safe condition for operation, from a cost-effective and optimization perspective. It compares the best practices used by top airlines and compiles a series of tools and techniques to improve AMP standards.

This book’s updated coverage introduces key enhancements, including updates to the MSG-3 methodology with Aircraft Health Monitoring, an explanation of the forthcoming MSG-4 standard with Condition-Based Maintenance concepts, the inclusion of Aircraft Cyber Security for Continuing Airworthiness, and a review of emerging technologies in the Innovation chapter.

David Lapesa Barrera is an Aeronautical Engineer specializing in Continuing Airworthiness management and Aircraft Maintenance Programs. He has worked for leading airlines in Spain, Switzerland, and the Middle East, contributing to projects such as the introduction of the Airbus A220 (the former Bombardier C Series) for the first operator, managing the Aircraft Maintenance Program of the world’s largest Airbus A380 fleet, and ensuring the airworthiness of the Airbus A350, including advanced protocols for information security. 
 
He received an award from the Middle East’s largest airline for his support on the A380 C Check Optimization Project, recognized for delivering the project accurately, with minimal disruption, and maximizing financial and hangar utilization efficiency.
 
David is the author of Aircraft Maintenance Programs (Springer, 2022), recognized as one of the only comprehensive reference works on the topic, in which he introduces the Triangle of Airworthiness, a framework that balances safety, quality, reliability, and cost-effective decision-making. He is also the author of The Lean Airline: Flight Excellence (self-published, 2024), which provides practical guidance on applying Lean principles in airline operations.
 
He is certified as an ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems Lead Auditor and an ISO 27001 Information Security Management Systems Internal Auditor, and is a Member of the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI), supporting the advancement of quality aviation education in partnership with the industry.
 
Built on this work and experience, David founded The Lean Airline, a training and development platform helping aviation professionals advance their continuing airworthiness and leadership skills, guided by the latest industry standards, best practices beyond regulatory compliance, and a strong focus on continuous improvement.