Maintenance Regulatory Overview

2-1 Regulations, Maintenance Forms, Records, & Publications Chapter 2 Overview — Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Aviation-related regulations that have occurred from 1926– 1966 are reflected in Figure 2-1. Just as aircraft continue to evolve with ever improving technology, so do the regulations, publications, forms, and records required to design, build, and maintain them. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations that govern today’s aircraft are found in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). [Figure 2-2] There are five volumes under Title 14, Aeronautics and Space. The first three volumes containing 75 active regulations address the Federal Aviation Administration. The fourth volume deals with the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Transportation (Aviation Proceedings) and Commercial Space Transportation, while the fifth volume addresses the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Air Transportation System Stabilization.

These regulations can be separated into the following three categories: 1. Administrative 2. Airworthiness Certification 3. Airworthiness Operation Since 1958, these rules have typically been referred to as “FARs,” short for Federal Aviation Regulations. However, another set of regulations, Title 48, is titled “Federal Acquisitions Regulations,” and this has led to confusion with the use of the acronym “FAR.” Therefore, the FAA began to refer to specific regulations by the term “14 CFR part XX.” Most regulations and the sections within are odd numbered, because the FAA realized in 1958 when the Civil Aeronautics Regulations were recodified into the Federal Aviation Regulations that it would be necessary to add regulations later.

Over the years, the FAA has sometimes seen the need to issue Special Federal Aviation Regulations (SFAR). [Figure 2-3] These are frequently focused very specifically on a unique situation and are usually given a limited length of time for effectiveness. Note that the SFAR number is purely a sequential number and has no relevance to the regulation it is addressing or attached to. The remainder of this handbook focuses only on those regulations relative to airworthiness certification. There are 30 of these listed in Figure 2-4 , and they are shown graphically in Figure 2-5. A significant benefit of this chart is the visual effect showing the interaction of the regulation with other regulations and the placement of the regulation relative to its impact on airworthiness. It is fundamentally important that the definition of the term “airworthy” be clearly understood.

Only recently did the FAA actually define the term “airworthy” in a regulation. (Refer to the 14 CFR part 3 excerpt following this paragraph.) Prior to this definition in part 3, the term could be implied from reading part 21, section 21.183. The term was defined in other non-regulatory FAA publications, and could also be implied from the text found in block 5 of FAA Form 8100-2, Standard Airworthiness Certificate. This certificate is required to be visibly placed on board each civil aircraft. (Refer to “Forms” presented later in this chapter.) Title 14 CFR Part 3—General Requirements Definitions. The following terms have the stated meanings when used in 14 CFR part 3, section 3.5, Statements about products, parts, appliances and materials.

• Airworthy means the aircraft conforms to its type design and is in a condition for safe operation. • Product means an aircraft, aircraft engine, or aircraft propeller. • Record means any writing, drawing, map, recording, tape, film, photograph or other documentary material by which information is preserved or conveyed in any format, including, but not limited to, paper, microfilm, identification plates, stamped marks, bar codes or electronic format, and can either be separate from, attached to or inscribed on any product, part, appliance or material. Airworthiness can be divided into two areas: original airworthiness as depicted in Figure 2-5, and recurrent airworthiness as depicted in Figure 2-6. There are three primary regulations that govern the airworthiness of an aircraft: 2-2 Comment: Civil Aeronautics Manual (CAMs) contain both regulations and advisory material in the same document.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF 14 CFR PARTS 23, 25, 27, AND 29 Event Regulating Agency Rules and Regulations CAR 3 CAR 4b Large A/C CAR 4T Transport CAR 4b CAR 3 CAR 4a-T SR 422 Jets SR 422A SR 422B PART 25 PART 29 PART 27 PART 23 Civil Air Regulation CAR Part 04 Bulletin 7 Bulletin 7-A CAR 04 <12,500 lb CAR 4a Small A/C CAR 4a-T >12,500 lb CAR Part 6 Rotorcraft Part 7 Transport Rotorcraft >6,000 lb 1956 Part 6 Normal Rotorcraft 1956 Department of Commerce Aeronautics Branch 1926 Air Commerce Act Bureau of Air Commerce Civil Aeronautics Administration Federal Aviation Agency Federal Aviation Administration 1934 Consolidation of Functions 1935 Cutting Air Crash 1938 Civil Aeronautics Act 1946 First Helicopter Certificated 1958 Federal Aviation Act 1965 Codification of CARs to FARs 1966 Agency becomes Administration under DOT 1. 14 CFR part 21—Certification Procedures for Products and Parts 2. 14 CFR part 43—Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alterations 3. 14 CFR part 91—General Operating and Flight Rules Note that the chart in Figures 2-5 and 2-6 show most of the other airworthiness certification regulations link to one of these regulations.

Although the history section that opens this chapter discusses the FAA as if it was a single unit, it is important to understand that there are various subgroups within the FAA, and each have different responsibilities of oversight in the aviation industry. These may vary by organizational chart or geographic location. The maintenance technician interacts mostly with FAA personnel from the Flight Standards Service (AFS) and the Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) but may also have some interaction with FAA personnel from the Aircraft Certification Service (AIR). 2-3 Volume 1 Chapter I Parts 1–59 FAA, DOT Volume 2 Chapter I Parts 60–109 FAA, DOT Volume 3 Chapter I Parts 110–199 FAA, DOT Volume 4 Chapter II Parts 200–399 Office of Secretary, DOT Volume 5 Chapter V Parts 1200–1299 NASA Subchapter D Airmen Parts 60, 61, 63, 65, 67, 68 Subchapter E Airspace Parts 71, 73, 75, 77 Subchapter F Air Traffic and General Operating Rules Parts 91, 93, 95, 97, 99, 101, 103, 105, 107 Subchapter G Air Carriers and Operators Parts 110, 117, 119, 120, 121, 125, 129, 133, 135, 136, 137, 139 Subchapter H Schools and Other Certificated Agencies Parts 141, 142, 145, 147 Subchapter I Airports Parts 150, 151, 152, 153, 155, 156, 157, 158, 161, 169 Subchapter J Navigational Facilities Parts 170, 171 Subchapter K Administrative Regulations Parts 183, 185, 187, 189, 193 Subchapter L–M Reserved Subchapter N War Risk Insurance Parts 198, 199 Subchapter A Economic Regulations Parts 200–298 Subchapter B Procedural Regulations Parts 300–331 Subchapter C Reserved Subchapter D Special Regulations Parts 372–383 Subchapter E Organization Parts 385, 389 Subchapter F Policy Statements Parts 398, 399 Subchapter A Definitions and Abbreviations Parts 1, 3, 5 Subchapter B Procedural Rules Parts 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 Subchapter C Aircraft Parts 21, 23, 25, 26, 27, 29, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 39, 43, 45, 47, 48, 49 Title 49 Transportation Congressional Act (Acts of Congress are Public Law) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) (50 Titles) Public Law Basis for Title 14 is PL 103-272 Title 14 Aeronautics and Space (Five Volumes) Subchapter A General Parts 400, 401 Subchapter B Procedure Parts 404, 405, 406 Subchapter C Licensing Parts 411–1199 Subchapter A Office of Management and Budget Part 1300 Subchapter B Air Transportation Stabilization Board Parts 1310–1399 Chapter III Parts 400–1199 Commercial Space Transportation, FAA Chapter VI Parts 1300–1399 Air Transportation System Stabilization

Maintenance-Related Regulations

14 CFR Part 1—Definitions and Abbreviations This section is a very comprehensive, but certainly not all inclusive, list of definitions that both pilots and mechanics must become familiar with. Many regulations often provide additional definitions that are unique to their use and interpretation in that specific part. Title 14 CFR part 1, section 1.2, Abbreviations and Symbols, tends to be highly focused on those abbreviations related to flight. 14 CFR Part 21—Certification Procedures for Products and Articles This regulation, the first of the three, identifies the requirements of and the procedures for obtaining type 2-4 Special Federal Aviation Regulations SFAR No Title Appears in 14 CFR Table of Contents Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 23 Fuel venting and exhaust emission requirements for turbine engine powered airplanes.

Special Flight rules in the Vicinity of the Grand Canyon National Park, AZ Removal of this SFAR effective 10/8/2004 - Prohibition Against Certain Flights Between the United States and Libya Special Operating Rules for Air Tour Operators in the State of Hawaii Robinson R-22/R-44 Special Training and Experience Requirements Prohibition Against Certain Flights Within the Territory and Airspace of Iraq Prohibition Against Certain Flights Within the Flight Information Region of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Prohibition Against Certain Flights within the Territory and Airspace of Sudan Prohibition Against Certain Flights Within the Territory and Airspace of Serbia-Montenegro Airspace and Flight Operations Requirement for the Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta; Albuquerque, NM Fuel Tank System Fault Tolerance Evaluation Requirements Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 97 - Special Operating Rules for the Conduct of Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Area Navigation (RNAV) Operations using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in Alaska Construction or Alteration in the Vicinity of the Private Residence of the President of the United States Relief for U.S. Military and Civilian Personnel Who Are Assigned Outside the United States in Support of U.S. Armed Forces Operations Process for Requesting Waiver of Mandatory Separation Age for Certain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Control Specialists Prohibition Against Certain Flights by Syrian Air Carriers to the United States Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 108 - Mitsubishi MU-2B Series Airplane Special Training, Experience, and Operating Requirements Special Requirements for Private Use Transport Category Airplanes Prohibition Against Certain Flights Within the Tripoli (HLLL) Flight Information Region (FIR) Part 25 Part 23 Part 11 Part 91 Part 61 Part 91 Parts 21, 25, 91, 121, 125, 129 Parts 71, 91, 95, 121, 125, 129, 135 Part 77 Parts 61, 63, 65 Part 65 Part 91 Parts 21, 25, 119 Part 91 13 23 27-5 50-2 65-1 71 73 77 79 82 84 86 88 97 98 100-2 103 104 108 109 112 certificates (TCs), supplemental type certificates (STCs), production certificates, airworthiness certificates, and import and export approvals. [Figure 2-5] Some of the other major areas covered in this part are the procedures for obtaining a Part Manufacture Approval (PMA) or an authorization related to producing a Technical Standard Order (TSO) part. Note that part 21’s greatest significance is in the original airworthiness phase, although it has minor application in recurrent airworthiness. [Figure 2-5] One of the most important sections of this regulation is section 21.50, “Instructions for continued airworthiness and manufacturer’s maintenance manuals having airworthiness limitations sections.” When an aircraft is delivered new from the manufacturer, it comes with maintenance manuals that define the inspection and maintenance actions necessary to maintain the aircraft in airworthy condition. Also, any STC modification that was developed after 1981 must have, as part of the STC documentation, a complete set of instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA). This ICA contains inspection and maintenance information intended to be used by the technician in maintaining that part of the aircraft that has been altered since it was new. This ICA is comprised of 16 specific subjects. [Figure 2-7] An ICA developed in accordance with this checklist should be acceptable to the Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI) reviewing a major alteration.

14 CFR Part 23—Airworthiness Standards: Normal, Utility, Acrobatic, and Commuter Category Airplanes Aircraft certificated under 14 CFR part 23 represent the greatest portion of what the industry refers to as “general aviation.” These aircraft vary from the small two-place piston engine, propeller-driven trainers that are frequently used for flight training, to turbine-powered corporate jets used to transport business executives. Seating capacity is limited to nine or less on all aircraft, except the commuter aircraft where the maximum passenger seating is 19, excluding the pilot and copilot seats.

This part specifies the airworthiness standards that must 2-5 Part 1 Definitions and Abbreviations Part 13 Investigative and Enforcement Procedures Part 21 Certification Procedures for Products and Parts Part 23 Airworthiness Standards: Normal, Utility, Acrobatic, and Commuter Category Airplanes Part 25 Airworthiness Standards: Transport Category Airplanes Part 27 Airworthiness Standards: Normal Category Rotorcraft Part 29 Airworthiness Standards: Transport Category Rotorcraft Part 31 Airworthiness Standards: Manned Free Balloons Part 33 Airworthiness Standard: Aircraft Engines Part 34 Fuel Venting and Exhaust Emission Requirements for Turbine Engine Powered Airplanes Part 35 Airworthiness Standards: Propellers Part 36 Noise Standards: Aircraft Type and Airworthiness Certification Part 39 Airworthiness Directives Part 43 Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alteration Part 45 Identification and Registration Marking Part 47 Aircraft Registration Part 48 Registration and Marking Requirements for Small Unmanned Aircraft Part 61 Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors Part 63 Certification: Flight Crewmembers Other Than Pilots Part 65 Certification: Airmen Other Than Flight Crewmembers Part 68 Requirements for Operating Certain Small Aircraft Without a Medical Certificate Part 91 General Operating and Flight Rules Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Part 119 Certification: Air Carriers and Commercial Operators Part 121 Operating Requirements: Domestic, Flag, and Supplemental Operations Part 125 Certification and Operations: Airplanes Having a Seating Capacity of 20 or More Passengers or a Maximum Payload Capacity of 6,000 Pounds or More; and Rules Governing Persons on Board Such Aircraft Part 135 Operating Requirements: Commuter and On Demand Operations and Rules Governing Persons on Board Such Aircraft Part 145 Repair Stations Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools Part 183 Representatives of the Administrator certification.

be met in order for a manufacturer to receive a TC and for the aircraft to receive an airworthiness certificate. Part 23 aircraft are those aircraft that have a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or less, except for those aircraft in the commuter category. The maximum certificated takeoff weight limit rises to 19,000 pounds or less for these aircraft. Part 23 has seven subparts, six of them providing detailed criteria for the design of these aircraft. The first, subpart A, defines the applicability of this regulation. The others are: • Subpart B—Flight • Subpart C—Structures • Subpart D—Design and Construction • Subpart E—Powerplant • Subpart F—Equipment • Subpart G—Flightcrew Interface and Other Information Within each of these subparts are numerous sections that specify details, such as center of gravity (CG), gust load factors, removable fasteners, the shape of certain flight deck controls, engine and propeller requirements, fuel tank markings, flight deck instrumentation marking and placards, cabin aisle width, and flammability resistant standards.

14 CFR Part 25—Airworthiness Standards: Transport Category Airplanes The standards in 14 CFR part 25 apply to large aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of more than 12,500 pounds. This segment of aviation is usually referred to as “commercial aviation” and includes most of the aircraft seen at a large passenger airport, except for the commuter aircraft included in 14 CFR part 23. However, the ability to carry passengers is not a requirement for aircraft certified to 14 CFR part 25. Many of these aircraft are also used to transport cargo. This chapter is subdivided into similar design subpart categories and the same sequence as the requirements specified in 14 CFR part 23.

14 CFR Part 27—Airworthiness Standards: Normal Category Rotorcraft This regulation deals with the small rotor wing aircraft and is consistent with 14 CFR part 23 with limiting the passenger seating to nine or less. However, the maximum certificated weight is limited to 7,000 pounds. It contains similar design subparts identified in 14 CFR part 23 that provide the details for designing the aircraft. 14 CFR Part 29—Airworthiness Standards: Transport Category Rotorcraft This section specifies those standards applicable to helicopters with a maximum certified weight greater than 7,000 pounds. However, it also includes additional parameters based upon seating capacity and an additional weight limit. Those parameters are passenger seating, (nine or less, ten or more) and whether the helicopter is over or under a maximum weight of 20,000 pounds. The design subparts of part 29 are similar to those in 14 CFR parts 23, 25, and 27.

2-6 13 23 25 27 29 31 33 34 35 36 39 21 Certification Procedures for Products and Parts 91 General Operating and Flight Rules 14 CFR §91.319 14 CFR §91.409 Fuel Venting and Exhaust Emission Requirements for Turbine Engine Powered Airplanes Noise Standards: Aircraft Type and Airworthiness Certification Airworthiness Standards: Normal, Utility, Acrobatic, and Commuter Category Airplanes Investigative and Enforcement Procedures Airworthiness Standards: Transport Category Airplanes 26 Continued Airworthiness and Safety Improvements for Transport Category Airplanes Airworthiness Standards: Normal Category Rotorcraft Airworthiness Standards: Transport Category Rotorcraft Airworthiness Standards: Manned Free Balloons Airworthiness Standards: Aircraft Engines Airworthiness Standards: Propellers Airworthiness Directives 45 Identification and Registration Marking 47 Aircraft Registration 183 Representatives of the Administrator Manufacturer 43.3(j) 8110.37 DER Guidance Handbook DMIR DER DAR DAS DAR DPE DME DPRE §21.9(a)(5) Owner Operator Built Parts TC STC TSOA PMA §21.8(d) 8110.42 Parts Manufacturing Approval Original Airworthiness Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) Certificate Management Office (CMO) Manufacturing Inspection District Office (MIDO) Aircraft Certification Service (AIR)— FAA ORDERS: 8100.7, ACSEP 8110.4, Type Certification 8120.2, Production Approvals 8100.8 Designee Management Handbook 8130.2 Airworthiness Certification Suspected Unapproved Parts Program 2150.3 Compliance & Enforcement 8132.2 Designee Airworthiness Certification