> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.planeconnection.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# How to Manage Component Tracking
> Track aircraft components by serial number with TSN, TSO, TSMOH, and life limit monitoring for installation, removal, and overhaul events.
By following this guide, you will track individual aircraft components by serial number,
monitor time since new (TSN), time since overhaul (TSO), and time since major overhaul
(TSMOH), manage life limits, and record installation and removal events.
**Who should read this:** Directors of maintenance, maintenance controllers, and parts
managers responsible for tracking life-limited and time-controlled components across the fleet.
**Required permission:** `maintenance_ops` -- read to view, update to create and modify
component records.
**Regulatory basis:** 14 CFR 43.10 governs the disposition of life-limited aircraft parts.
14 CFR 91.417 requires maintenance records including total time in service of the airframe,
each engine, each propeller, and each rotor. 14 CFR 43.12 requires maintenance records to be
retained and transferred with the aircraft.
## The Component Tracking List
Navigate to **Maintenance > Component Tracking** to see all tracked components. The list
shows:
| Column | Description |
| ------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| Part Number | Manufacturer part number |
| Serial Number | Unique component serial number |
| Description | Component name and description |
| Aircraft | Registration where currently installed |
| Position | Installed position on the aircraft |
| TSN Hours | Total time since new (hours) |
| TSN Cycles | Total cycles since new |
| TSO Hours | Time since last overhaul (hours) |
| TSO Cycles | Cycles since last overhaul |
| Life Limit | Remaining life before mandatory action |
## Add a Component
### Open the new component form
From Component Tracking, click **Add Component**.
### Enter identification
* **Aircraft** -- Select the aircraft registration
* **Part Number** -- Manufacturer part number
* **Serial Number** -- Unique serial number of the component
* **Description** -- What the component is (e.g., "Left Engine Fuel Control Unit")
* **Position** -- Installed position (e.g., "Engine 1", "LH MLG", "Nose Wheel Assembly")
### Record current times
Enter the current accumulated time values:
| Field | Description |
| ------------ | ----------------------------------------- |
| TSN Hours | Total hours since new (from manufacturer) |
| TSN Cycles | Total cycles since new |
| TSO Hours | Hours since last overhaul |
| TSO Cycles | Cycles since last overhaul |
| TSMOH Hours | Hours since last major overhaul |
| TSMOH Cycles | Cycles since last major overhaul |
| TSI Hours | Hours since last inspection |
### Set life limits
For life-limited parts per 14 CFR 43.10, enter the mandatory limits:
* **Life Limit Hours** -- Maximum allowable hours before mandatory replacement or overhaul
* **Life Limit Cycles** -- Maximum allowable cycles
* **Life Limit Calendar Months** -- Calendar-based limit (e.g., rubber components, hoses)
Per 14 CFR 43.10, life-limited parts that have reached their life limit must be removed from
service. No person may install a life-limited part that has reached or exceeded its approved life
limit. Accurate tracking of TSN and life limits is essential for airworthiness.
### Record installation details
* **Install Date** -- When the component was installed
* **Install Hours** -- Aircraft hours at installation
* **Install Cycles** -- Aircraft cycles at installation
### Save the component
Click **Save**. The component appears in the tracking list with calculated remaining life
based on life limits minus current accumulated time.
## Record a Component Removal
When a component is removed from an aircraft:
1. Open the component detail page
2. Click **Record Removal**
3. Enter:
* **Removal Date** -- Date of removal
* **Removal Reason** -- Why the component was removed (scheduled overhaul, failure,
convenience, etc.)
* **Hours at Removal** -- Aircraft hours at the time of removal
* **Cycles at Removal** -- Aircraft cycles at removal
4. Click **Save** -- the component status updates and the aircraft position is cleared
## Record an Overhaul
After a component returns from overhaul:
1. Open the component detail page
2. Click **Record Overhaul**
3. Enter the new TSO values (reset to zero for a full overhaul) and update the TSMOH if
applicable
4. Upload the overhaul shop's release documentation (8130-3 or equivalent)
5. If reinstalling, record the new installation details
## Transfer Between Aircraft
To move a component from one aircraft to another:
1. Record a removal from the source aircraft
2. Add the component to the destination aircraft with updated installation details
3. Both events are logged in the component's history for traceability
## Monitor Life Limits
The component tracking list highlights components approaching their life limits:
* **Green** -- More than 20% remaining life
* **Amber** -- Less than 20% remaining life
* **Red** -- Less than 5% remaining life or past limit
Components past their life limit display a **LIFE-LIMITED** badge and must be removed before
further flight.
***
Track full birth-to-retirement traceability for serialized components.
Track component overhaul and replacement intervals as due items.
Link component changes to work orders for documentation.
Analyze component failure trends across the fleet.