Plane Sense
Chapter 8: Aircraft Maintenance Records
Plane Sense
Chapter 8: Aircraft Maintenance Records
These records may be discarded when the work is
repeated or superseded by other work, or 1 year after
the work is performed.
m CAUTION: Keep in mind that as a result of
repairs or alterations, such as replacing radios and
installing speed kits, it may be necessary to amend
the weight and balance report, equipment list,
flight manual, etc.
logbooks
Most maintenance performed on an aircraft is recor-
ded in the aircraft logbooks. As an aircraft owner, it
is important to ensure that your aircraft’s logbooks
are complete and up to date at all times. The aircraft
logbooks outline the maintenance history of your air-
craft, and any prospective buyer will want to review
the aircraft and all maintenance performed. In addi-
tion, any A&P or certificated repair station performing
maintenance on your aircraft will want to review the
prior maintenance performed on the aircraft.
Airworthiness directives
An aircraft owner is required to comply with all
applicable ADs issued by the FAA for his or her
aircraft. The FAA issues ADs to notify aircraft owners
and other interested persons of unsafe conditions
and to specify the corrective action required,
including conditions under which the aircraft may
continue to be operated.
The aircraft’s maintenance records should indicate
the current status of all applicable ADs, including for
each:
• AD number,
• Method of compliance,
• Revision date, and
• Recurring action (if applicable) including the time
and date of the next action required.
safety directives
The owner or operator of an aircraft having a
special airworthiness certificate must comply with
each safety directive applicable to the aircraft that
corrects an existing unsafe condition or corrects
the condition in a manner different from safety
directive specifications if the person issuing the
directive agrees with the action. Otherwise, the
owner or operator may, in accordance with 14 CFR
part 91, section 91.327, “obtain an FAA waiver from
the provisions of the safety directive based on a
conclusion that the safety directive was
issued without adhering to the applicable consensus
standard.”
Light-sport category aircraft certificated pursuant
to 14 CFR part 21, section 21.190 have mandatory
compliance with all manufacturer safety directives.
service Bulletins
A service bulletin contains a recommendation from
the manufacturer, with which that manufacturer
believes the aircraft owner should comply, that often
reflects a safety-of-flight issue that the manufacturer
believes should be addressed within a certain time-
frame. It may result from an improvement developed
by the manufacturer, or it may address a defect in
a product or published documentation.
The manufacturer responds to one of these situa-
tions by issuing a service bulletin that recommends
a certain type of inspection, replacing certain
components, performing maintenance in a specific
manner, or limiting operations under specified
conditions. Sometimes, compliance with a service
bulletin may be triggered by the occurrence of
a particular event (e.g., the lapse of time or operation
under certain types of conditions).
FAA Form 337,
major repair and Alteration
A mechanic who performs a major repair or major
alteration shall record the work on FAA Form 337
and have the work inspected and approved by a
mechanic who holds an inspection authorization (IA).
(Light-sport aircraft do not require Form 337 when
altering a non-approved product.) A signed copy
shall be given to the owner and another copy sent
to the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch (AFS-750)
in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma within 48 hours of
aircraft approval for return to service. However,
when a major repair is done by a certificated repair
station, the customer’s work order may be used
and a release given as outlined in 14 CFR Part 43,
Appendix B, Recording of Major Repairs and Major
Alterations. You can obtain additional information
and instructions for completing FAA Form 337 in
Advisory Circular (AC) 43-9 (as revised), Aircraft
Maintenance Records. Figure 8-2 at the end of this
chapter is a sample FAA Form 337.
entries into Aircraft m aintenance records
Each time maintenance, including preventive main-
tenance, is performed on your aircraft, an appropriate
entry must be added to the maintenance records.
Plane Sense
Chapter 8: Aircraft Maintenance RecordsPlane Sense
Chapter 8: Aircraft Maintenance Records
14 CFR Part 43, Section 43.9,
Content, form, and disposition of
maintenance, preventive maintenance,
rebuilding, and alteration records (except
inspections performed in accordance
with part 91, part 125, §135.411(a)(1), and
§135.419 of this chapter
Any person who maintains, rebuilds or alters an
aircraft, airframe, aircraft engine, propeller, or
appliance shall make an entry containing:
• A description of the work or some reference
to data acceptable to the FAA,
• The date the work was completed,
• The name of the person who performed the
work, and
• If the work was approved for return to service,
the signature, certificate number, and kind of
certificate held by the person approving the
aircraft for return to service.
14 CFR Part 43, Section 43.11,
Content, form, and disposition of records for
inspections conducted under parts 91 and
125 and §§135.411(a)(1) and 135.419 of this
chapter
When a mechanic approves or disapproves an air-
craft for return to service after an annual, 100-hour,
or progressive inspection, an entry shall be made
including:
• Aircraft time in service,
• The type of inspection,
• The date of inspection,
• The signature, certificate number, and kind of
certificate held by the person approving or
disapproving the aircraft for return to service, and
• A signed and dated listing of discrepancies and
unairworthy items.
14 CFR Part 91, Section 91.409,
Inspections
Inspection entries for 14 CFR part 91, section
91.409(e) airplanes over 12,500 pounds, turbo jet,
or turbopropeller-powered multiengine airplanes
are made according to 14 CFR part 43, section 43.9,
and shall include:
• The kind of inspection performed,
• A statement by the mechanic that the inspection
was performed in accordance with the instruc-
tions and procedures for the kind of inspection
program selected by the owner, and
• A statement that a signed and dated list of any
defects found during the inspection was given to
the owner, if the aircraft is not approved for
return to service.
14 CFR Part 91, Section 91.411,
Altimeter system and altitude
reporting equipment tests and inspections
14 CFR part 91, section 91.411, requires that every
airplane or helicopter operated in controlled airspace
under instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions have
each static pressure system, each altimeter, and each
automatic pressure altitude reporting system tested
and inspected every 24 calendar months. The aircraft
maintenance records must include:
• A description of the work,
• The maximum altitude to which the altimeter
was tested, and
• The date and signature of the person approving
the aircraft for return to service.
14 CFR Part 91, Section 91.413,
ATC transponder tests and inspections
14 CFR part 91, section 91.413, requires that anyone
operating an Air Traffic Control (ATC) transponder
specified in 14 CFR part 91, section 91.215(a), have it
tested and inspected every 24 calendar months. The
aircraft maintenance records must include:
• A description of the work, and
• The date and signature of the person approving
the airplane for return to service.
14 CFR Part 91, Section 91.207,
Emergency locator transmitters
14 CFR part 91, section 91.207, requires that no
person may operate a U.S. registered civil airplane
unless there is attached to the airplane a personal
type or an automatic type emergency locator
transmitter (ELT) that is in operable condition
and meets applicable requirements of Technical
Standard Order (TSO)-C91.
m CAUTION: New ELT installations after June
21, 1995, must meet TSO-C91A (the first revised, or
amended, version).
Batteries used in ELT shall be replaced when:
• The transmitter has been in use for more than
1 cumulative hour, or
• 50 percent of the ELT’s useful life has expired.
Plane Sense
Chapter 8: Aircraft Maintenance Records
Plane Sense
Chapter 8: Aircraft Maintenance Records
The expiration date for replacing the battery shall be
legibly marked on the outside of the transmitter and
entered in the aircraft maintenance records.
Amateur-Built Aircraft
The condition inspection for amateur-built aircraft
replaces the annual inspection.
Available resources
Your local FSDO can help you establish your aircraft
maintenance program and the necessary maintenance
records. Additional information relating to aircraft
maintenance records can be obtained from:
• 14 CFR Part 39, Airworthiness Directives
• 14 CFR Part 43, Maintenance, Preventive
Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alteration
• 14 CFR Part 91, General Operating and
Flight Rules
• AC 43-9 (as revised), Maintenance Records
These publications are available on the FAA website
at www.faa.gov and from U.S. Government Printing
Office (GPO) bookstores located throughout the
United States. For more information about obtaining
these publications, refer to the information contained
in chapter 11.
Plane Sense
Chapter 8: Aircraft Maintenance RecordsPlane Sense
Chapter 8: Aircraft Maintenance Records
maintenance records Checklist
stAtUs item notes
100-Hour inspection Keep records until the work is repeated or
superseded by other work, or 1 year after the work is
performed.
Annual inspection Keep records until the work is repeated or
superseded by other work, or 1 year after the work is
performed.
Progressive inspections Keep records until the work is repeated or
superseded by other work, or 1 year after the work is
performed.
Other required or approved inspections
(e.g., condition inspections/mandatory
tracking of safety directives for light-
sport aircraft)
Keep records until the work is repeated or
superseded by other work, or 1 year after the work is
performed.
Total Time in Service (airframe,
engine(s), propeller(s))
Records are retained by the owner and transferred
with the aircraft when it is sold.
Current status of life-limited parts
(airframe, engine(s), propeller(s), rotor,
and appliances)
Records are retained by the owner and transferred
with the aircraft when it is sold.
Time since last overhaul of all items
installed on the aircraft (required to be
overhauled on a specified time basis)
Records are retained by the owner and transferred
with the aircraft when it is sold.
Identification of current inspection
status of the aircraft (including time
since last inspection required by the
inspection program under which
aircraft and appliances are maintained)
Records are retained by the owner and transferred
with the aircraft when it is sold.
Current status of applicable ADs
(including method of compliance, the
AD number, and the revision date)
Records are retained by the owner and transferred
with the aircraft when it is sold.
Copy of current major alterations
(airframe, engine, propeller, and appli-
ances)
Records are retained by the owner and transferred
with the aircraft when it is sold.
Figure 8-1. Maintenance Records Checklist. This checklist includes the types of information that should
be kept with your aircraft’s maintenance records.
Plane Sense
Chapter 8: Aircraft Maintenance Records
Plane Sense
Chapter 8: Aircraft Maintenance Records
Figure 8-2. FAA Form 337, Major Repair and Alteration. You can obtain instructions for completing FAA
Form 337 on the FAA website at www.faa.gov or from your local FSDO.
Form Approved Electronic Tracking Number
OMB No. 2120-0020
11/30/2007
MAJOR REPAIR AND ALTERATION For FAA Use OnlyUS Department
of Transportation (Airframe, Powerplant, Propeller, or Appliance)
Federal Aviation
Administration
INSTRUCTIONS: Print or type all entries. See Title 14 CFR §43.9, Part 43 Appendix B, and AC 43.9-1 (or subsequent revision thereof) for
instructions and disposition of this form. This report is required by law (49 U.S.C. §44701). Failure to report can result in a civil penalty for each
such violation. (49 U.S.C. §46301(a))
Nationality and Registration Mark Serial No.
1. Aircraft Make Model Series
Name (As shown on registration certificate) Address (As shown on registration certificate)
Address
2. Owner City State
Zip Country
3. For FAA Use Only
4. Type
Repair Alteration Unit
AIRFRAME
5. Unit Identification
Make Model
(As described in Item 1 above)
Serial No.
POWERPLANT
PROPELLER
Type
APPLIANCE Manufacturer
6. Conformity Statement
A. Agency's Name and Address B. Kind of Agency
U. S. Certificated Mechanic Name Manufacturer
Address Foreign Certificated Mechanic C. Certificate No.
City State Certificated Repair Station
Zip Country Certificated Maintenance Organization
D. I certify that the repair and/or alteration made to the unit(s) identified in item 5 above and described on the reverse or attachments hereto
have been made in accordance with the requirements of Part 43 of the U.S. Federal Aviation Regulations and that the information
furnished herein is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Signature/Date of Authorized IndividualExtended range fuel
per 14 CFR Part 43
App. B
7. Approval for Return to Service
Pursuant to the authority given persons specified below, the unit identified in item 5 was inspected in the manner prescribed by the
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and is Rejected
Persons Approved by CanadianFAA Flt. Standards Maintenance OrganizationManufacturer Department of Transport
BY
Inspector
Other (Specify)
FAA Designee
Signature/Date of Authorized Individual
Designation No.
Approved
Inspection AuthorizationRepair Station
Certificate or
FAA Form 337 (10-06)
Ed Mechanic
N114AZ
CESSNA
O & W INC.
182L
1888 CIRRUS AVENUE
OKLAHOMA CITY OK
73405 U.S.
KATHY P. AILERON
411 GULFSTREAM DRIVE
OKLAHOMA CITY OK
73125 U.S. A&P 122234566
233346566 MARCH 26, 2002
SAMPLE
Kathy P. Aileron MARCH 23,2002
Plane Sense
Chapter 8: Aircraft Maintenance RecordsPlane Sense
Chapter 8: Aircraft Maintenance Records
Figure 8-2. FAA Form 337, Major Repair and Alteration (Page 2 of 2).
NOTICE
Weight and balance or operating limitation changes shall be entered in the appropriate aircraft record. An alteration must be
compatible with all previous alterations to assure continued conformity with the applicable airworthiness requirements.
8. Description of Work Accomplished
(If more space is required, attach additional sheets. Identify with aircraft nationality and registration mark and date work completed.)
Nationality and Registration Mark Date
Additional Sheets Are Attached
FAA Form 337 (10-06)
N114AZ MARCH 26, 2002
1. Removed right wing from aircraft and removed skin from
outer 6 feet. Repaired buckled spar 49 inches from tip
in accordance with attached photographs and figure 1 of
drawing dated March 23, 2002.
Date: March 26, 2002, inspected splice in Item 1 and
found it to be in accordance with data indicated. Splice
is okay to cover. Inspected internal wing assembly for
hidden damage and condition.
Ed Mechanic, A&P 233346566 IA
2. Primed interior wing structure and replaced skin P/N’s
63-0085, 63-0086, and 63-00878 with same skin 2024-T3,
.025 inches thick. Rivet size and spacing all the same as
original and using procedures in Chapter 2, Section 3,
of AC 43.13-1B CHG 1, dated 2001.
3. Replaced stringers as required and installed 6 splices
as per attached drawing and photographs.
4. Installed wing, rigged aileron, and operationally
checked in accordance with manufacturer’s maintenance
manual.
5. No change in weight or balance.