Maintenance guidelines for creation of aircraft scheduled maintenance programmes contained in the Air Transport Association (ATA) MSG-3 document [1] have been updated to allow for initial use of SHM technology in lieu of visual inspections and Non Destructive Test (NDT) methods. Following extensive review among aircraft manufacturers the generic structure maintenance analysis methodology was amended with the conclusion of the ATA SHM Working Group (WG). This was subsequently agreed by the Maintenance Programs Industry Group (MPIG) in November 2008 and accepted by the aviation regulatory authorities (incl. FAA, EASA, TCCA and ANAC) representing the International Maintenance Review Board Policy Board (IMRBPB). Following their approval, this methodology will serve industry as global reference guideline published in the 2009 revision to the MSG-3 document [1]. In October 2009 the dedicated ATA SHM WG that developed the initial MSG-3 SHM considerations, held their third annual meeting in order to prepare the further revision proposal for specific guidance on handling of SHM within the MSG-3 document [1]. This guidance would allow adjustments on inspection parameters and/or replacing scheduled inspection tasks by SHM. Together with the 2009 document revision, these changes will provide the industry an opportunity to clarify and enhance policy guidance on the following important topics addressed in this paper: 1. Brief introduction to air carrier scheduled maintenance and MSG-3 2. The definition of new terms grouping SHM categories relevant to scheduled maintenance. 3. Introduction of a new structure maintenance task category to distinguish SHM from classic inspections performed by humans. 4. Implementation of initial SHM principles into MSG-3 structure analysis logic. 5. Details on further maintenance guidance that would allow adjustments on inspection parameters and/or replacing scheduled inspections by SHM.