> ## 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 Part Passports > Track birth-to-retirement component traceability with digital part passports per 14 CFR 91.417, including hash-chained history for tamper-evident records. By following this guide, you will create digital part passports for serialized components, record lifecycle events (installation, removal, overhaul, repair, inspection, and transfer), maintain back-to-birth traceability, and verify the integrity of part history records using cryptographic hash chains. **Who should read this:** Directors of maintenance, parts managers, and quality assurance personnel responsible for maintaining complete part history records and ensuring traceability for life-limited and serialized components. **Required permission:** `maintenance_ops` -- read to view, update to create and modify part passport records. **Regulatory basis:** 14 CFR 91.417 requires owners and operators to keep records of the current status of life-limited parts. 14 CFR 43.10 establishes disposition requirements for life-limited aircraft parts. 14 CFR 43.11 requires records for major repairs and alterations to accompany the part. Advisory Circular 20-62 provides guidance on eligibility, quality, and identification of aeronautical replacement parts. ## What Is a Part Passport? A part passport is a digital record that follows a serialized component from manufacture through every lifecycle event -- installation, removal, overhaul, repair, inspection, and transfer -- until the part is scrapped or retired. Each event is cryptographically hashed and chained to the previous event, creating a tamper-evident history that satisfies back-to-birth traceability requirements. ## The Part Passports List Navigate to **Maintenance > Part Passports** to see all tracked components. The list shows: | Column | Description | | -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ | | Part Number | Manufacturer part number | | Serial Number | Unique component serial number | | Description | Component name | | Manufacturer | OEM or PMA manufacturer | | Aircraft | Currently installed aircraft (blank if in stock) | | Position | Installed position on the aircraft | | Status | Installed, Removed, Scrapped, In Stock, or Quarantined | | Current Hours | Accumulated hours on the component | | Current Cycles | Accumulated cycles on the component | | Life Remaining | Calculated remaining life against limits | ## Create a Part Passport ### Open the new part passport form From Part Passports, click **New Passport**. ### Enter part identification * **Part Number** -- Manufacturer part number as shown on the data plate * **Serial Number** -- Unique serial number from the data plate * **Description** -- Component name (e.g., "Main Landing Gear Actuator") * **Manufacturer** -- OEM or PMA holder name ### Set life limits Enter the applicable life limits from the manufacturer's maintenance documents or the TCDS: * **Life Limit Hours** -- Maximum total hours * **Life Limit Cycles** -- Maximum total cycles * **Life Limit Calendar** -- Calendar limit expressed as a period (e.g., "10Y" for 10 years, "60M" for 60 months) ### Record current status * **Current Aircraft** -- Aircraft where the component is currently installed (leave blank for parts in stock) * **Current Position** -- Where on the aircraft the component is installed * **Current Hours** -- Accumulated hours to date * **Current Cycles** -- Accumulated cycles to date * **Status** -- Installed, Removed, In Stock, or Quarantined * **Installed Date** -- Date of current installation ### Create the passport Click **Create**. The system generates a history hash for the initial record and opens the part passport detail page. ## Record Lifecycle Events From the part passport detail page, record events as they occur. Each event type captures specific data: ### Installation Record when a part is installed on an aircraft: * Aircraft registration and position * Hours and cycles at installation * Installing mechanic and certificate number * Work order reference * Supporting documentation (8130-3 Authorized Release Certificate) ### Removal Record when a part is removed: * Reason for removal (scheduled, failure, convenience, life limit) * Hours and cycles at removal * Removing mechanic and certificate number * Work order reference ### Overhaul Record overhaul events from the repair station: * Overhauling facility name and repair station number * Hours and cycles reset values * Upload the overhaul release documentation (8130-3 or equivalent) ### Repair Record individual repairs that do not constitute a full overhaul: * Description of the repair performed * Repairing facility and certificate * Any changes to operating limits ### Inspection Record periodic inspections of the component: * Inspection type (visual, NDT, operational, functional) * Findings and disposition * Inspector certificate number ### Transfer Record when a part moves between inventory locations or is transferred to another operator: * Sending and receiving parties * Transfer documentation * Condition at transfer Each lifecycle event is cryptographically hashed with a reference to the previous event's hash, forming a tamper-evident chain. If any historical record is altered, the chain breaks and{" "} PlaneConnection flags the discrepancy during integrity verification. ## Part Passport Status Reference | Status | Meaning | | ----------- | ---------------------------------------------- | | Installed | Currently installed on an aircraft | | Removed | Removed from aircraft, serviceable | | In Stock | In inventory, not installed | | Quarantined | Held for inspection or suspected unserviceable | | Scrapped | Permanently retired from service | Per 14 CFR 43.10, when a life-limited part is removed from a type-certificated product for the purpose of mutual exchange, the part must be accompanied by documentation that includes the part number, serial number, and current life status. Digital part passports in PlaneConnection generate this documentation automatically. ## Verify Part History To verify that a part's history chain is intact: 1. Open the part passport detail page 2. Click **Verify History** 3. The system recomputes every hash in the chain and compares them to the stored values 4. A green checkmark confirms integrity; a red flag indicates a broken chain requiring investigation See [Verify Record Integrity](/en/how-to/maintenance/verify-record-integrity) for details on the cryptographic verification process. *** Track TSN, TSO, and life limits for installed components. Verify the cryptographic hash chain for all maintenance records. Link part events to work orders for complete traceability. Verify technician certificates linked to part events.