FAA regulations on airplane maintenance
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), all airplanes must be maintained in accordance with the regulations set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). These regulations cover everything from routine inspections to major repairs and are intended to ensure that airplanes are safe to fly. In this article, we will take a look at some of the most important FAA regulations on airplane maintenance.
Inspections
The FAA requires that all airplanes undergo regular inspections to ensure that they are in safe flying condition. These inspections can be performed by certified mechanics or by the airplane's owner, provided they have the proper training and certification. There are three types of inspections that an airplane must undergo:
1. Annual Inspection: All airplanes must undergo an annual inspection by a certified mechanic. This inspection covers all major components of the airplane, including the engine, landing gear, and avionics systems.
2. 100-Hour Inspection: If an airplane is used for hire (i.e. as part of a commercial operation), it must undergo a 100-hour inspection every 100 hours of operation. Like the annual inspection, this inspection covers all major components of the airplane.
3. Progressive Inspection: Instead of a single annual inspection, some owners and mechanics prefer to perform a series of smaller inspections over the course of a year. This is known as a progressive inspection and is permitted by the FAA.
Repairs and Alterations
If an airplane requires repairs or alterations, the work must be performed in accordance with the FAA regulations. The regulations define three types of repairs:
1. Minor Repairs: These are repairs that can be performed by a certified mechanic and do not require approval from the FAA.
2. Major Repairs: These are repairs that require approval from the FAA before they can be performed. The FAA will review the repair proposal and inspect the airplane once the work is complete to ensure that it was done correctly.
3. Special Repairs: These are repairs that are not covered by the FAA regulations and require a special approval process.
In addition to repairs, any alterations to an airplane must also be performed in accordance with the FAA regulations. This includes changes to the avionics systems, engines, or other major components. Like major repairs, alterations require approval from the FAA before they can be performed.
Documentation
The FAA requires that all maintenance performed on an airplane be documented in a maintenance logbook. This logbook must include a record of all inspections, repairs, and alterations performed on the airplane. The logbook must also include the name of the mechanic who performed the work and their certification number.
In addition to the maintenance logbook, the FAA requires that all airplanes have an airworthiness certificate. This certificate is issued by the FAA and certifies that the airplane is safe to fly. The certificate must be kept on board the airplane at all times.
Conclusion
The FAA regulations on airplane maintenance are designed to ensure that airplanes are safe to fly. The regulations cover everything from routine inspections to major repairs and alterations. Airplane owners and mechanics must comply with these regulations and maintain detailed records of all maintenance performed on the airplane. By following these regulations, we can help ensure that airplanes remain safe and reliable for years to come.