Aircraft Airworthiness: How Does This Affect You? Marcelo Gomes Freire
Aircraft Airworthiness: How Does This Affect You? Marcelo Gomes Freire
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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
EXEMPTION NO. 1013A FAR 25.471(b): Allows lateral displacement of C.G. from airplane
centerline.
6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Unless sooner surrendered, suspended, revoked, or a termination date is otherwise established by the Administrator,
this airworthiness certificate is effective as long as the maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations are
performed in accordance with Parts 21, 43, and 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, as appropriate, and the aircraft
is registered in the United States.
NONE
FAR 35 - PROPELLERS
What is a repair?
• A repair restores the aircraft to its’ original
unaltered or properly altered condition.
• Repairs must be accomplished in
accordance with the manufacturer’s
maintenance instructions or standard
practices acceptable to the Administrator.
• Major repairs must be accomplished in
accordance with approved data.
Major vs. Minor Repair
Major Repair. A repair that fits one or more of the
following:
• (1) Might appreciably affect airworthiness by
changing weight, balance, structural strength,
performance, powerplant operation, or flight
characteristics if improperly done; or
• (2) Is not done according to accepted practices or
cannot be done by elementary operations.
Additional Limitations:
Airspeed not to exceed maneuvering airspeed for the aircraft.
Gregory C. Nolting
Aviation Safety Inspector Date issued: February 2, 2006
1. The flight described above shall be made under VFR/VMC day
conditions only, (unless the additional limitation below authorizes
differently). The flight shall be made by the most direct and expeditious
route consistent with the aircraft operating limitations and weather. FAR
91.707 requires that a Flight Plan be filed for flights between the USA
and Canada or Mexico–no waiver available.
2. Occupancy of the aircraft is limited to the pilot, essential flight crew
required to operate the aircraft and its equipment and personal
baggage.
3. Flight over congested areas is prohibited, and takeoffs and landings
shall be conducted to avoid congested areas in the vicinity of any of the
airports used in conjunction with this authorization. Flight over a foreign
country must have special permission from that country.
4. Prior to flight, the aircraft must be inspected by a certificated
mechanic or repair station to determine the aircraft is safe for the
intended flight. The result of that inspection will be entered in the
permanent aircraft records with the following similarly worded statement:
“This aircraft has been inspected and has been found safe for the
intended flight in accordance with Special Flight Permit dated
February 2, 2006.”
The Grey Area
• Manufacturer’s maintenance instructions
may be limited in content and detail.
• Individual interpretation or understanding
of the term “airworthy” may vary.
• You may consider the aircraft to be safe,
but does it qualify as airworthy?
• Use your resources. Ask questions.
• Always be in a defendable position.
What to look for:
• Line gripes
• How are they reported?
• Who decides what gets repaired?
• Can repair of the item be deferred?
• Has it been repaired or deferred properly?
• Has it been recorded properly?
FAR 91.417 (a)
“MAINTENANCE RECORDS”
• Complete maintenance records should
contain the following:
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• Records of the maintenance, preventive
maintenance, alterations, 100 hour,
annual, progressive and other required or
approved inspections, as appropriate.
• Total time in service for the aircraft, each
engine, each propeller, and each rotor.
• Current status of life-limited parts.
• Time since last required overhaul.
• The current status of applicable
Airworthiness Directives (A.D.)
• Copies of FAA Form 337 for any major
alterations performed.
FAR 91.417 (b)(1)
The Owner or Operator shall retain all
maintenance records for 1 year after the
work is performed or until the work is
repeated or superseded by other work.
FAR 91.417 (b)(2)
• After one year, some maintenance
records do not have to be retained.
• For the most part, this only pertains to
repairs and unscheduled maintenance.
• All other records must be retained and
transferred with the aircraft at the time the
aircraft is sold.
ADVISORY CIRCULAR 43-9B
• It is a shared responsibility by the Owner /
Operator and Maintenance persons, with
the ultimate responsibility to the Owner /
Operator by FAR 91.
“RETURN TO SERVICE”
• No person may operate
an aircraft, airframe,
engine, propeller, or
appliance on which
maintenance, preventive
maint., or an alteration
has been performed
unless:
FAR 43.5 AND FAR 91.407
• It has been approved for
return to service by a
person authorized in
FAR 43.
• Maintenance record
entries completed.
• Form 337 completed.
• Flight manual revisions,
as required.
FAR 43.9
“RECORD ENTRIES”
• Maintenance Records
(except for inspections)
shall contain the
following information:
• A description (or reference to data) of
work performed.
• The date of completion of the work.
• The name of the person performing the
work if other than specified below.
• The signature, certificate number, and
kind of certificate held by the person
approving the work.
“DESCRIPTION OF WORK
PERFORMED”
• The description should be in sufficient
detail to permit a person unfamiliar with
the work to understand what was done,
and the methods and
procedures used in doing it.
FAR 91.417 Maint.
Records.
FAR 43.11, RECORD ENTRIES
FOR INSPECTIONS
• The person approving
or disapproving for
return to service after
any inspection
performed IAW Part
91, 123, 125, & 135
shall make an entry in
the maintenance
record the following:
• The type of inspection and a brief
description of the extent of the insp.
• The date of the inspection and the total
time in service.
• The signature, the certificate number, the
kind of certificate held by the person
approving or disapproving for return to
service.
• “I certify that this aircraft has been
inspected in accordance with (insert type)
inspection and was determined to be in
airworthy condition.”
Richard W.Rhuda AP123456789IA
Sample Logbook Entry
N123A Tach/Hobbs: ACTT: