The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) regulations in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) reference the mechanics of an aircraft. Part 43 sets the standards for aircraft maintenance to ensure safety and efficiency and includes preventative care, general maintenance, rebuilding, and alteration of an airplane.

Part 43 is one of the regulations an operator must comply with to obtain—or keep—a Standard Airworthiness Certificate. This signifies to passengers and crew members that the plane is safe to operate, and maintenance, preventative maintenance, and alterations have been performed under 14 CFR parts 21, 43, and 91.

The type of plane and aviation business you conduct will dictate the regulations you must follow.

What is a Standard Airworthiness Certificate?

A Standard Airworthiness Certificate is an official certification issued by the FAA. An operator must have this in their possession to legally fly an aircraft, as it proves the plane’s safety. All pilots must go through an official submission process to ensure their plane is eligible according to FAA standards before receiving an official certificate.

The purpose of part 43, as part of a Standard Airworthiness Certificate, is to provide requirements that govern general maintenance, preventative maintenance, rebuilding, and alteration of a plane after they have been manufactured to ensure they are airworthy.

What is the Code of Regulations in Aviation?

The FAA publishes the CFR to make them available to all operators in the aviation community, whether they fly for personal, recreational purposes, or commercial. The intention of the FAA with its CFR is to encourage safe operational practices through programs, procedures, maintenance, training, and more.

The CFR is typically revised at least once a year every quarter, so it’s essential to follow any revisions and consult an aviation attorney to ensure you comply. These rules and regulations are legally binding as the FAA is a governing body, so all operators must pay close attention.

What are Examples of Aircraft Maintenance and Repair?

An operator must use proper documentation to cite any mechanical issues with an aircraft. This is known as Form 337—Major Repair and Alteration. This cites any one-off repairs or modifications to an individual airframe, engine, or prop.

Preventative maintenance is another area operators must pay attention to on a routine basis through a maintenance schedule. This includes cleaning, lubrication, oil changes, adjustments, repairs, inspecting and replacing parts, and partial or complete overhauls.

A repair is the reconstruction of any part of the airplane for maintenance, while an alteration is a renovation of an existing part. To ensure your aircraft is up to snuff with FAA specifications and to maintain the validity of your Standard Airworthiness Certificate, consult our aviation attorneys to keep you on track: 954-869-8950.