This course aims to raise awareness about Suspected Unapproved Parts (SUPs) and equip Parts Suppliers, Material Buyers, Inspectors, Technicians, and Maintenance Organisations with the knowledge to detect and report them.
SUPs pose a serious threat to aviation supply chains. MROs are responsible for ensuring all installed components meet regulatory standards. Common SUP indicators include missing documentation, rejected production parts, poorly maintained items, or counterfeits.
Training plays a crucial role in reducing SUP occurrences and minimizing associated risks. This course is designed for personnel directly involved in the aviation supply chain to help prevent SUPs from entering service.
Course Objectives:
This course is created with the intention to increase the level of awareness on SUPs and Counterfeit Parts and to provide the means for Parts Suppliers, Material Buyers, (Quality) Inspectors, Technicians and Maintenance organisations to detect and report SUPs to the aviation authorities.arget group 5 – Qualified staff performing other engineering or planning work on in-service aeroplane.
Learning objectives:
This course will provide you with the following:
SKILLS:
- Recognizing, identifying and understanding Suspected Unapproved Parts
- Dealing adequately with Suspected Unapproved Parts
ATTITUDE:
- Being aware that Suspected Unapproved Parts are a major issue for aviation safety.
- Being aware that Suspected Unapproved Parts are not always bad parts but lack evidence for airworthiness
- Having the willingness to report Suspected Unapproved Parts to the aviation authorities.
This course complies with the training requirements detailed in EASA AMC 20-22 Aeroplane Electrical Wiring Interconnection System Training Programme (ED Decision 2008/007/R) and is developed in accordance with AMC 145.A.30(e) and Part-145.A.35(d), requirements.
Regulatory requirement compliance:
This course has been developed with FAA Advisory Circular AC 21-29D Detecting and Reporting Suspected Unapproved Parts (SUP) as a guideline.
This course complies with the following regulatory requirements / Industry standards:
- EASA Part-145.A42
- FAA CFR 14 §145.12 §145.109 and AC 21-29D Detecting and Reporting Suspected Unapproved Parts
- FAA AC-056-B Par-6 Minimum Acceptance Criteria, section b. 18
- ASA-100 – Chapter 8 Material Control, paragraph J
Prerequisites:
- Basic knowledge of aircraft maintenance and airworthiness regulations.
- Experience in aviation maintenance, engineering, or CAMO operations (preferred).
- Familiarity with EASA Part-145, Part M/CAMO, or equivalent FAA regulations.
- Proficiency in English for technical and regulatory materials.
Course Topics:
This course has been divided in 6 major parts, all covering different content.
PART 1 – INSPECTION UNDERSTANDING SUPs (SUSPECTED UNAPPROVED PARTS)
- What are SUPs?
- FAA/EASA definitions of approved and unapproved parts
- Criteria for producing approved parts (FAA & EASA)
- Risks of using unapproved parts
- Real-life FAA and EASA SUP cases
- Role of procurement, inspection, and logistics
- Checklists for identifying unapproved parts (Receiving, Assembly, Purchasing)
PART 2 – UNAPPROVE PARTS NOTIFICATIONS
- Overview of FAA & EASA SUP reporting systems
- FAA Unapproved Parts Notifications (UPNs)
- EASA Confirmed Unapproved Parts database
- Trend data (1996–2024 FAA / 2008–2024 EASA)
PART 3 – EXAMPLES FROM THE FIELD
- Real-world cases of unapproved, counterfeit, or altered parts
- Indicators of suspicious parts
- Photos and case studies from actual investigations
- Personal SUP findings and inspection insights
PART 4 – COUNTERFEIT PARTS
- What is a counterfeit part?
- Why do counterfeit parts enter the aviation market?
- Consequences of using counterfeit components
- Preventive measures
- Disposition of detected counterfeit items (reporting, quarantining, legal aspects)
PART 5 – VALIDATED DOCUMENTATION AND HANDLING STANDARDS FOR AVIATION PARTS
- Overview of international release documents (EASA Form 1, FAA 8130-3, CofC, etc.)
- Acceptance criteria under bilateral agreements (EASA–FAA, TCCA, ANAC, etc.)
- Use and limitations of PMA parts
- Differences between CofC, CofCon, and CofComp
- Shelf life management and expiry date interpretation
- Storage conditions, monitoring, and environmental controls
- Best practices for part handling and visual inspection during receiving
Course Duration:
This Advanced E-training courses takes about 6 hrs to complete.
Materials Used
Required Materials:
Your companies own SUP and Counterfeit Parts programme/Procedures.
Supplemental Materials:
A notebook and pen if you require to make notes.
Hardware and Software Requirements
Hardware requirements:
A reliable computer with a stable internet connection is necessary to complete the course and/or online examination.
Software requirements:
There is no software deemed necessary for this training.
Browser information:
We recommend that you use Google Chrome during the course and online examination.
Instructor & Training Material Author Information
Instructor & Training Material Author credentials:
Mr. Danny Goergen is a highly experienced aviation professional with over two decades of expertise spanning aircraft maintenance, regulatory compliance, quality assurance, training, and consultancy. His career has been defined by a commitment to excellence in safety, operational efficiency, and industry best practices.
Starting as an aircraft mechanic, Danny honed his technical skills before earning a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Engineering. He then transitioned into process engineering at an EASA Part 145 approved component repair shop, where he played a pivotal role in optimizing maintenance operations. Over the years, he has held multiple EASA Form 4 positions, including Technical Manager and Quality Assurance Manager, demonstrating his ability to lead and uphold rigorous industry standards.
In 2009, Danny founded Holland Aviation Consultancy & Engineering (HACE), a firm dedicated to providing expert consultancy, audit support, and training services to the aviation maintenance sector. Through HACE, he has developed an online training platform offering courses in Human Factors, EWIS, Fuel Tank Safety, and aviation regulations, ensuring that professionals worldwide have access to high-quality, industry-relevant education.
Danny’s extensive experience includes quality management roles in EASA Part 145 maintenance organisations, Part 147 training centers, and Aircraft Part-Out and Aviation Supplier organisations. As a lead auditor and compliance expert, he has been instrumental in ensuring organizations meet and exceed regulatory requirements. His work with MROs, training organisations, and aerospace firms has positioned him as a trusted advisor in regulatory compliance, safety management, and continuous improvement.
Beyond consultancy, Danny is a qualified and experienced auditor and has provided internal audit support for numerous organizations, such as APOC, Chromalloy, EPCOR, Fokker Services Group, Intelsat and Viba Aerospace & Defense. His expertise covers not only EASA, FAA, and CAAC regulations, but also ISO-9001, EN/AS9120, ASA-100 and AFRA BMP standards, allowing him to navigate complex international compliance landscapes effectively.
As a respected trainer and mentor, Danny has conducted numorous classroom and online training sessions for aviation professionals, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to uphold the highest industry standards. His ability to translate regulatory requirements and aviation standards into practical, actionable strategies makes him a valuable asset to any aviation organization.
With a passion for aviation safety and continuous improvement, Danny Goergen remains dedicated to supporting the industry’s evolving needs through expert consultancy, quality management, and training solutions.
Contact information:
Mr. Danny Goergen can be contacted via e-mail (danny.goergen@hace.aero) or tefephone +31(0)28183203
Linked-in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannygoergen/
Assessment and Grading
Testing procedure:
Students will perform an online examination with Multiple-choice questions. A laptop or tablet with WiFi internet connection is needed to complete this examination.
Grading procedure:
All lessons need to be marked completed and the online examination needs to be passed with a minimum passrate of 75% in order to receive a Certificate of Course Completion.
Assignments and Participation
Assignments and Projects:
There are no assignments or projects applicable for this online course.
Course Ground Rules
Course Participation & Expectations
To ensure a smooth and effective learning experience in this self-paced course, students are expected to:
- Engage with course materials actively and complete all required activities.
- Utilize available resources, including instructor support (if applicable), FAQs, and discussion forums.
- Stay updated on course announcements and guidelines.
- Use the designated student email for any course-related communication.
- Address any technical issues promptly to avoid disruptions.
- Follow proper online etiquette (netiquette) in all interactions within the learning platform.
By following these guidelines, students can maximize their learning experience and successfully complete the course.