Sofema Aviation Services (SAS) considers the applicable elements of FAR Part 43 and their role & purpose
Note this information is summarized and focused on large aircraft.
Introduction – FAR Part 43 – Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alterations
Structure & Layout of Part 43
43.1 – Applicability
43.2 – Records of overhaul and rebuilding
43.3 – Persons authorized to perform maintenance
43.5 – Approval for return to service after maintenance
43.7 – Persons authorized to approve aircraft for return to service
43.9 – Content, form, and disposition of maintenance records
43.10 – Disposition of life-limited aircraft parts
43.11 – Content, form, and disposition of records for inspections
43.12 – Maintenance records: Falsification, reproduction, or alteration
43.13 – Performance rules (general)
43.15 – Additional performance rules for inspections
43.16 – Airworthiness limitations
43.17 – Maintenance performed by certain Canadian persons
- Appendix A to Part 43 – Major Alterations, Major Repairs, and Preventive Maintenance
- Appendix B to Part 43 – Recording of Major Repairs and Major Alterations
- Appendix C to Part 43 [Reserved]
- Appendix D to Part 43 – Scope and Detail of Items (as applicable to the particular aircraft) to be included in Annual and 100-Hour Inspections
- Appendix E to Part 43 – Altimeter System Test and Inspection
- Appendix F to Part 43 – ATC Transponder Tests and Inspections
FAR 43.1 to 43.15 Overview
FAR 43.1 – Applicability
Maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, and alteration of:
- Aircraft having a U.S. airworthiness certificate or used under Part 121 or 135;
- Airframe, aircraft engines, propellers, appliances, and component parts of such aircraft.
Applies to LLP but not parts produced outside of FAA approval.
FAR 43.2 – Records of Overhaul and Rebuilding
To certify requires:
- Methods, techniques, and practices acceptable to the FAA;
- Disassembled, cleaned, inspected, repaired as necessary, and reassembled;
- Tested in accordance with approved standards and technical data (FAA / TCH / STCH / OEM);
- Rebuilt Products – tested to the same tolerances and limits as a new item, using either new parts or used parts that either conform to new part tolerances and limits or to approved oversized or undersized.
FAR 43.3 – Persons Authorized to Perform Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, rebuilding, and alterations – See also Part 43 Appendix A
The holder of a mechanic certificate may perform maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations as provided in Part 65.
The holder of a repairman certificate may perform maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations as provided in Part 65.
A person working under the supervision of a holder of a mechanic or repairman certificate may perform the maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations that his supervisor is authorized to perform, (supervisor to observe).
Note: Excludes inspection required by Part 91 or Part 125 of this chapter or any inspection performed after a major repair or alteration.
The holder of a repair station certificate may perform maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations as provided in Part 145.
Air carrier operating certificate or an operating certificate issued under Part 121 or 135, may perform maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations as provided in Part 121 or 135.
A manufacturer may:
- Rebuild or alter any aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance manufactured by him under a type or production certificate;
- Rebuild or alter any appliance or part of aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, or appliances manufactured by him under a Technical Standard Order Authorization, an FAA-Parts Manufacturer Approval, or Product and Process Specification issued by the Administrator; and
- Perform any inspection required by Part 91 or Part 125 of this chapter on aircraft it manufacturers, while currently operating under a production certificate or under a currently approved production inspection system for such aircraft.
FAR 43.5 – Approval for Return to Service after Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, or Alteration
Return to service any aircraft, airframe, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance, following maintenance requires:
- Maintenance record entry required by §43.9 or §43.11, as appropriate
- Repair or alteration form completed as applicable
o (Any change in the aircraft operating limitations or flight data – see 91.9)
FAR 43.7 – Persons Authorized to Approve Aircraft for Return to Service
- FAA can approve
- The holder of a mechanic certificate or an inspection authorization may approve an aircraft, airframe, aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, or component part for return to service as provided in Part 65 of this chapter.
- The holder of a repair station certificate may approve an aircraft, airframe, aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, or component part for return to service as provided in Part 145 of this chapter.
- A manufacturer may approve for return to service any aircraft, airframe, aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, or component part which that manufacturer has worked on under §43.3(j). However, except for minor alterations, the work must have been done in accordance with technical data approved by the Administrator.
- The holder of an air carrier operating certificate or an operating certificate issued under Part 121 or 135, may approve an aircraft, airframe, aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, or component part for return to service as provided in Part 121 or 135 of this chapter, as applicable.
FAR 43.9 – Content, Form, and Disposition of Maintenance Records
Maintenance record of that equipment containing the following information:
- Description or reference to work performed;
- Date;
- Name;
- Signature to approve RTS;
- Part 121 or 135, to provide for a continuous airworthiness maintenance program (CAMP) & record all maintenance I.A.W with the applicable provisions of Part 121 or 135;
- Major repairs and major alterations shall be entered on a form, and the form disposed of, in the manner prescribed in appendix B, by the person performing the work.
FAR 43.10 – Disposition of Life Limited Aircraft Parts
Each person who removes a life-limited part from a type-certificated product must ensure that the part is controlled using one of the methods in this paragraph.
The method must deter the installation of the part after it has reached its life limit. Acceptable methods include:
- May be controlled using a record keeping system that substantiates the part number, serial number, and current life status of the part.
- Tag or record attached to part. A tag or other record may be attached to the part. The tag or record must include the part number, serial number, and current life status of the part.
- The part may be legibly marked using a non-permanent method showing its current life status. The life status must be updated each time the part is removed from a type certificated product, or if the mark is removed, another method in this section may be used. (The mark must be accomplished in accordance with the instructions under §45.16)
- Permanent marking. The part may be legibly marked using a permanent method showing its current life status. The life status must be updated each time the part is removed from a type certificated product.
- Segregation. The part may be segregated using methods that deter its installation on a type-certificated product. These methods must include, at least:
o Maintaining a record of the part number, serial number, and current life status, and
o Ensuring the part is physically stored separately from parts that are currently eligible for installation.
- Mutilation. The part may be mutilated to deter its installation in a type certificated produce. The mutilation must render the part beyond repair and incapable of being reworked to appear to be airworthy. (Other methods.) Any other method approved or accepted by the FAA.
Each person who removes a life-limited part from a type certificated product and later sells or otherwise transfers that part must transfer with the part, the mark, tag, or other record used to comply with this section, unless the part is mutilated before it is sold or transferred.
FAR 43.11 – Content, Form, and Dispostion of Records for Inspections
Maintenance record entries.
Shall make an entry in the maintenance record of that equipment containing the following information:
- The type of inspection and a brief description of the extent of the inspection.
- The date of the inspection and aircraft total time in service.
- The signature, the certificate number, and kind of certificate held by the person approving or disapproving for return to service the aircraft, airframe, aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, component part, or portions thereof.
Certification Statement
“I certify that this aircraft has been inspected in accordance with (insert type) inspection and was determined to be in airworthy condition.”
Non – Certification Statement
“I certify that this aircraft has been inspected in accordance with (insert type) inspection and a list of discrepancies and unairworthy items dated (date) has been provided for the aircraft owner or operator.”
Progressive Certification Statement
“I certify that in accordance with a progressive inspection program, a routine inspection of (identify whether aircraft or components) and a detailed inspection of (identify components) were performed and the (aircraft or components) are (approved or disapproved) for return to service.” If disapproved, the entry will further state “and a list of discrepancies and unairworthy items dated (date) has been provided to the aircraft owner or operator.”
Note: If an inspection is conducted under an inspection program provided for in part 91, 125, or §135.411(a)(1), the entry (must identify the inspection program details & status.)
Note for non compliance – must meet certification regulations / requirements.
FAR 43.12 – Maintenance Records: Falsification, Reproduction, or Alteration
Fraudulent or intentionally false entry, reproduction, for fraudulent purpose or any alteration is a basis for suspending or revoking the applicable airman, operator, or production certificate, Technical Standard Order Authorization, FAA-Parts Manufacturer Approval, or Product and Process Specification issued by the Administrator.
FAR 43.13 – Performance Rules (General)
Shall follow approved data (ICAW) use approved tooling & special equipment as specified.
Ensure CAW Integrity of work performed – Alterations fully compliant with all CAW requirements.
Part 121 or 135 and Part 129 operators holding operations specifications (that is required by its operating specifications to provide a continuous airworthiness maintenance and inspection program) constitute acceptable means of compliance with this section.
FAR 43.15 – Additional Performance Rules for Inspections
Related to Part 91, 125, or 135:
- Ensure meets all applicable airworthiness requirements; and
- Part 125, 135, or §91.409(e) perform in accordance with the program instructions.
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Tags:
Aircraft, aviation, Aviation Maintenance, Aviation regulatory training, aviation safety, Aviation Training, CAMP, Certification Statement, FAA, FAR Part 43, ICAW, ICAW (Instructions for Continued Airworthiness), Life Limited Parts, Maintenance records, Part 121, Part 125, Part 145, Part 43, Part 91
