question for aircraft mechanics: are serial numbers ever hand written and stickered on parts?

Question

do complex craft like 757's have parts that are identified by handwritten stickers?

Answer 1

Yes. If a component is in for repair, it can be relabeled by hand. For example, if a fuel pressure switch is being replaced because the shell is damaged, the component repair shop may replace the shell. If the shell is where the serial number placard is located, a new placard would be made, often using indelible marker on a specially designed label. A sealer (similar to clear nail polish) would then prevent the writing from being removed. The reason the info may not be etched into the part is because the anodized or plated finish would be disturbed and lead to corrosion.

Maintenance records are so organized that research can be done to find serial numbers of parts that were installed years ago that no longer have placards or data plates.

Some airlines assign components a unique alphanumeric serial number that eliminates the need to research the manufacturers part number and serial number. This number may be handwritten on the manufacturer's data plate. Again, a sealer (similar to clear nail polish) would then prevent the writing from being removed.

Answer 2

One of the first jobs I had at Lockheed (before I got my A&P license) was to identify parts as they came out of the paint shop. Using a blue print we identified parts not by hand with stickers, we used a rubber stamp with letters and numbers on it. We stamped the ID directly onto the part. We had different size stamps for different size parts. We identified anything from clips and gussets all the way up to whole assemblies. Parts that came to Lockheed from elsewhere were either all ready identified the same way or had metal ID tags attacked to them. Some vendors etched Identifiication markings on their parts as well. As an A&P mechanic working at Lockheed I cannot think of any one item that did not have some sort of ID marking on it. But I do not recall ever seeing anything with just a hand written ID on a sticker.

If you are asking about serviceable tags those red yellow or green tags that some parts have attached to them, then yes those can have hand written identification on them.

Answer 3

Occasionally components like actuators, small motors or other items using rubber seals are serviced, repaired or rebuilt by vendor shops, or even at the airline's own maintenance shops. If the original part number is worn off or hard to read, it is possible that the technician doing the rebuild could rewrite the part number by hand, either directly on the part, or on a sticker placed on the part. The yellow or green tags and other paperwork that accompanies the part may also be hand-written.

Answer 4

YES!
I've built military aircraft for the last 5 years (C-17), and commercial aircraft for the 20 years prior to that (MD-80, MD-90, MD-95/717)
Currently, I predrill parts that are installed further on down the assembly line. These are PFD (Previously Fitted and Drilled) parts. I have to re-id these parts by adding PFD after the part number stamped on the part, and add the FSN (Federal Stock Number).
I do this with a Sharpie (indelible) marker.
On the MD twin jets, I had to re-id the Ventral Bulkhead (pressure dome), and the overwing E&E (Emergency Exit) doors likewise.
This is acceptable per the DPS (Douglas Process Standards) that we work by.

Answer 5

Yes.

I worked as an aircraft parts broker, and occasionally we would get certain things we needed to certify ourselves. We could put it in permanent marker directly on the part itself or write it on a sticker and place the sticker on it. Usually if it was a sticker we'd just print it off on the computer, but nothing says we couldn't have hand-written it if we wanted to.

Answer 6

lots are handwritten but with an etching pen. They will never be written with a pen or marker. It has to be permanent. On some parts that are too small to write on a tag is attached to the part when new and it will always be in the aircraft records.