Downloaded 186 times
Uploaded byFAA Safety Team Central Florida
Airworthiness: Preventive Maintenance
The document defines preventive maintenance and outlines who is authorized to perform it according to FAA regulations. It specifies that holders of pilot certificates can perform preventive maintenance on aircraft they own or operate, including private pilots. The document lists the specific preventive maintenance tasks allowed by FAA regulations and provides guidance on maintenance records, required performance standards, and additional FAA resources.
More Related Content
Similar to Airworthiness: Preventive Maintenance
More from FAA Safety Team Central Florida
Airworthiness: Preventive Maintenance
- 1.
- 2. Federal Aviation Administration OBJECTIVE • Definepreventive maintenance. • Persons authorized to perform preventive maintenance. • Maintenance record entries. • Performance rules (general). • List of Preventive Maintenance work. 2
- 3. Federal Aviation Administration Preventive Maintenance- Defined FAR 1 • Simple or Minor preservation operations and the replacement of small standard parts not involving complex assembly operations. 3
- 4. Federal Aviation Administration Persons Authorizedto Perform Preventive Maintenance – FAR 43.3 • Holder of a mechanic certificate issued under Part 65 • Holder of a repairman certificate • Holder of Part 145, 121 and 135 certificate • Holder of a Pilot Certificate issued under Part 61 • A person working under the supervision of a mechanic or repairman 4
- 5. Federal Aviation Administration Let’s Takea Closer Look at what type of Pilot is authorized to Perform… PREVENTIVE MAINTENCE 5
- 6. Federal Aviation Administration Types ofPilot Licenses • Student Pilot • Recreational Pilot • Sport Pilot • Private Pilot • Commercial Pilot • ATP
- 7. Federal Aviation Administration A Personholding a Pilot Certificate can perform Preventive Maintenance Although 43.3 does not specify the type of pilot certificate that is required to perform preventive maintenance, 43. 7 does specify at least a private pilot certificate to make the logbook entry. The person making the logbook entry must be the same person who performed the maintenance 7
- 8. Federal Aviation Administration Question • Cana holder of at a Private Pilot certificate supervise and sign off preventive maintenance work performed on his/her aircraft if the work is done by another person? A) Yes B) No
- 9. Federal Aviation Administration Preventive MaintenanceFAR 43.3 • The Sport Pilot – Limited to the sport pilot plane that they own or operate. 9
- 10.
- 11. Federal Aviation Administration FAR 43Appendix A Preventive Maintenance • (1) Removal, installation, and repair of landing gear tires. • (2) Replacing elastic shock absorber cords on landing gear. • (3) Servicing landing gear shock struts by adding oil, air, or both. • (4) Servicing landing gear wheel bearings, such as cleaning and greasing. • (5) Replacing defective safety wiring or cotter keys • (6) – (31)
- 12. Federal Aviation Administration Types ofAircraft Authorized • Operated under Part 91. • Not operated under FAR 121, 125 or 135 12
- 13. Federal Aviation Administration Maintenance RecordEntries (43.9) • 1) A description of work performed. • 2) The date of completion of the work performed. • 3) The name of the person performing the work if other than the person approving return to service. • 4) Upon satisfactory performance of the work, the signature, certificate number, and kind of certificate held by the person approving the work.
- 14. Federal Aviation Administration Performance Rules(general) (43.13) • 43.13 a) “use the methods, techniques, and practices prescribed in the current manufacturer’s maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness prepared by its manufacturer or other methods, techniques, and practices acceptable to the Administrator.”
- 15.
- 16. Federal Aviation Administration Performance Rules(general) (43.13 a) Cont’d • “use the tools, equipment, and test equipment so the work is done in accordance with accepted industry practices. Must use special tools or test equipment recommended by the manufacturer involved, or its equivalent acceptable to the Administrator.”
- 17. Federal Aviation Administration Performance Rules(general) 43.13 (cont’d) • 43.13 b) ……”shall do that work and use materials that the condition will be at least equal to its original or properly altered condition (with regard to aerodynamic function, structural strength, resistance to vibration and deterioration, and other qualities affecting airworthiness).”
- 18. Federal Aviation Administration Tool Calibration Beabsolutely sure your measuring tools are accurate. 18
- 19. Federal Aviation Administration Performance Rules(general) 43.13 (cont’d) • 43.13 b) ……”shall do that work and use materials that the condition will be at least equal to its original or properly altered condition (with regard to aerodynamic function, structural strength, resistance to vibration and deterioration, and other qualities affecting airworthiness).”
- 20. Federal Aviation Administration Question A pilotmay perform Preventive Maintenance on any Part 91 aircraft? A.True B.False 20
- 21. Federal Aviation Administration Question Which ofthe following is/are authorized to “approve for return to service” after preventive maintenance? a. A Sport Pilot b. Certificated Mechanic c. A Private Pilot d. All the above 21
- 22. Federal Aviation Administration Question: What regulationlists Preventive Maintenance actions? a.FAR 43.3 b.FAR 43.7 c.FAR 43.9 d.FAR 43 Appendix A 22
- 23. Federal Aviation Administration Question What conditionsmust be met before a mechanic or repairman can supervise preventive maintenance? a. Authorized to perform the work b. Observes the work is done properly c. Is readily available for consultation d. All of the above 23
- 24. Federal Aviation Administration (4) Servicinglanding gear wheel bearings, such as cleaning and greasing. 24
- 25. Federal Aviation Administration (6) Lubricationnot requiring disassembly other than removal of nonstructural items such as cover plates, cowlings, and fairings. 25
- 26. Federal Aviation Administration (7) Makingsimple fabric patches not requiring rib stitching or the removal of structural parts or control surfaces. 26
- 27. Federal Aviation Administration (9) Refinishingdecorative coating of fuselage, balloon baskets, wings tail group surfaces (excluding balanced control surfaces), fairings, cowlings, landing gear, cabin, or cockpit interior when removal or disassembly of any primary structure or operating system is not required.
- 28. Federal Aviation Administration (11) Repairingupholstery and decorative furnishings of the cabin, cockpit, or balloon basket interior when the repairing does not require disassembly of any primary structure or operating system or interfere with an operating system or affect the primary structure of the aircraft.
- 29. Federal Aviation Administration (12) Makingsmall simple repairs to fairings, nonstructural cover plates, cowlings, and small patches and reinforcements not changing the contour so as to interfere with proper air flow.
- 30. Federal Aviation Administration (13) Replacingside windows where that work does not interfere with the structure or any operating system such as controls, electrical equipment, etc.
- 31. Federal Aviation Administration (14) Replacingsafety belts.
- 32. Federal Aviation Administration (15) Replacingseats or seat parts with replacement parts approved for the aircraft, not involving disassembly of any primary structure or operating system.
- 33. Federal Aviation Administration (16) Troubleshooting and repairing broken circuits in landing light wiring circuits.
- 34. Federal Aviation Administration (20) Replacingor cleaning spark plugs and setting of spark plug gap clearance.
- 35. Federal Aviation Administration (26) Replacementor adjustment of nonstructural standard fasteners incidental to operations.
- 36. Federal Aviation Administration Additional Guidance •AC 20-106, Aircraft Inspection for the General Aviation Aircraft Owner • AC 23-2A Flammability Tests • AC 43.12A Preventive Maintenance – (Find these and more AC’s on FAA.gov) • FAA Publication P-8740-15 Maintenance Aspects of Owning Your Own Aircraft ( find it on FAASafety.gov)
- 37. Federal Aviation Administration Conclusion • Questionsand comments • Faasafety.gov • G A Awards Program • WINGS Program • AMT Award Program • Feedback wanted: http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offic es/avs/stakeholder_feedback/afs/field/sf_faasteam 37
- 38. Federal Aviation Administration 38 Sometimes thinkingyou are safe, doesn’t always mean that you are!
Editor's Notes
- #2 Number 2013/04/29-035 (l) PP; Original Author: FAASafety Team; POC Phil Randall, Airworthiness Lead, AFS-850, Office 336-369-3948; Review/Revision 1 by Ali Ispahany, AFS-850; Phil Randall, AFS-850; Pete Wilhelmson, AFS-850.
- #3 Brief the objectives of this presentation. Continuously encourage and inspire audience participation during presentation.
- #4 This is the definition of preventive maintenance under FAR 1. Notice it does not include major repairs or alterations nor performing inspections in accordance with Part 91, 125, or 135. It is also interesting to note that “Maintenance” by definition under FAR 1, does not include preventive maintenance.
- #5 Federal Regulations identify who may perform preventive maintenance. To emphasized what we learned from the previous slide, it does NOT authorize the performance of any inspection. Not all pilot certificates issued under Part 61 are eligible. There is an exception for a sport pilot which we discuss in the upcoming slides. The last bullet on the slide deserves a bit discussion. FAR Section 43.3 d) states: A person working under the supervision of a holder of a mechanic or repairman certificate may perform the maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations that his supervisor is authorized to perform , if the supervisor personally observes the work being done to the extent necessary to ensure that it is being done properly and if the supervisor is readily available, in person, for consultation.
- #6 There are several types of pilot certificates and all types may not do all. This means the regulations do have conditions and restrictions regarding preventive maintenance which we will cover.
- #7 Pilot certificates issued under Part 61 are the student pilot, recreational pilot, sport pilot, private pilot, commercial pilot, and ATP.
- #8 Now there is a big difference between performing preventive maintenance and signing off the work for approval for return to service . FAR 43.7 requires a holder of at LEAST a Private Pilot certificate is required to make the logbook entry (i.e. approval for return to service) for preventive maintenance performed by that pilot. We also should mention that 43.3 also specifies the preventive maintenance may be performed on any aircraft owned or operated by that pilot which is not used under part 121, 129, or 135 of this chapter.
- #9 The answer is B) No. Recall 43.3 stated “A person working under the supervision of a holder of a mechanic or repairman certificate may perform the maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations that his supervisor is authorized to perform, if the supervisor personally observes the work being done to the extent necessary to ensure that it is being done properly and if the supervisor is readily available, in person, for consultation”.
- #10 A Sport Pilot can only perform preventive maintenance on an aircraft owned and operated by that pilot (LIGHT SPORT Aircraft) and issued a special airworthiness certificate in the Light-Sport category. They cannot perform preventive maintenance on a type certificated aircraft.
- #11 How does the pilot, or any person authorized by the FAR, know what a preventive maintenance item IS or IS NOT ? We covered the definition earlier but we can agree if that was all there was, there would be a tremendous amount of interpretation about it. Well the regulators had some foresight so there is a list of Preventive Maintenance items in the regulation. The list can be found in FAR Part 43 Appendix A.
- #12 Here is the first 5 of the 31 preventive maintenance actions listed in this appendix. We recommend you review the list carefully. Better yet, make yourself a copy and refer to it prior to performing preventive maintenance on your aircraft. Later we will discuss a few of the listed preventive maintenance items to identify typical considerations when performing these activities. A always we recommend you should discuss any questions you have about these listed items with your maintenance provider or speak to an ASI at your local FSDO.
- #13 We emphasize our discussion today deals only with aircraft operated under part 91, since holders of Air Carrier certificates have their own rules for preventive maintenance.
- #14 Preventive maintenance requires record entries. FAR 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).” The 4 listed items on the slide are only paraphrased from the FAR. You must read the actual regulation to learn all the details of these “minimum” required entries. For example, bullet number 1 includes the phrase “(or reference to data acceptable to the Administrator)” in the actual regulation. Question: Can anyone explain what “(or reference to data acceptable to the Administrator)” means?
- #15 FAR 43.13 contains very important additional “performance rules” when performing “preventive maintenance.” FAR 43.13 a) is the first requirement you should be very familiar with. Be aware this is only paraphrased and you must read the actual regulation for complete contents. Let’s discuss. Question: Can anyone explain or give examples of what are Instructions for Continued Airworthiness ? What about “methods, techniques, and practices acceptable to the Administrator .” Can anyone give an explanation or example?
- #16 How many of you are aware of this Advisory Circular? AC 43.13 – 1B is an excellent resource for acceptable methods, techniques and practices for inspection and repair. The illustration at the right is just one sample of some of the many handy informative charts included in this document. However be aware you must use the Manufacturer’s manuals as the first option at all times.
- #17 There is more to FAR 43.13 a). Here it talks about tools and test equipment use.
- #18 Here we show paragraph FAR 43.13 b) which is the other extremely important paragraph you should know. Again this is only paraphrased here so actual regulation must be read to exact regulation requirements. (Read the slide) Emphasize the phrases on “ at least equal ” and “with regards to.
- #19 Suppose you read the maintenance manual and it states “torque” bolts to 50-60 pound-inches. Logic says a torque wrench is needed to do this. You have one in your toolbox but will you use it without a second thought? The answer should be “NO” unless you have had this wrench calibrated and you are sure it is accurate to meet it’s measuring parameters. Why is this important? Go to next slide
- #20 Recall this regulation we covered earlier. Well, calibrated (accurate) measuring tools will ensure the “ at least equal ” and “with regards to” requirements of this regulation are met assuming all other portions of the task were done properly.
- #21 Answer is False FAR 43.3 states: The holder of a pilot certificate issued under part 61 may perform preventive maintenance on any aircraft owned or operated by that pilot which is not used under part 121, 129, or 135. The holder of a Sport Pilot Certificate may perform preventive maintenance on an aircraft owned or operated by that pilot and issued a special airworthiness certificate in the Light-Sport category.
- #22 Answer is d. All the above. FAR 43.7 authorizes these certificate holders to approve for return to service provided the all the circumstances/conditions stated in the regulation prevail. A discussion might be necessary to revisit the conditions that must prevail for each to do so.
- #23 Where do you go to find what exactly is preventive maintenance? 43 Appendix A
- #24 Answer is d. All of the above.
- #25 Earlier we learned that FAR 43, Appendix A, listed thirty one (31) preventive maintenance activities. We only spoke briefly about the first 5. Our intent here is not to discuss each item on the list. Although preventative maintenance actions do not involve complex assembly operations, these simple tasks do require careful attention. For example cleaning and greasing bearings. When cleaning be sure to use proper cleaning agent. You know not to spin dry bearings with compressed air, right? Be sure the grease you use is the type recommended by the manufacturer. Do you know how to properly examine the bearing for serviceability? What about re-packing the bearing? Do you know how to properly do that? Bottom line is follow the procedures and heed to all manufacturer instructions, notes, cautions and warnings. Finally don’t hesitate to ask your maintenance provider if something seems amiss……or if you are not sure about something.
- #26 Like wheel bearings using the proper lubricants on the rest of the aircraft is very important. Be cautious that one grease may not fit all! Don’t mix lubricants. Especially check your lubricant dispensing devices. It is a good practice to marked each dispensing device with identity of lubricant.
- #27 You can perform simple fabric patches not requiring rib stitching or the removal of structural parts or control surfaces. For balloons you can make small fabric repairs to envelopes, not requiring load tape repair or replacement. When performing fabric patches or repairs be sure you know what cloth your repairing and what adhesives to use. Don’t forget temperature and humidity may affect your repair actions. Just follow the manufacturer’s instructions! If you not sure about something…………..anything…………….. consult an experienced mechanic or repair station.
- #28 Read this preventive maintenance action carefully. Notice it excludes balanced control surfaces because painting these surfaces MAY require re-balancing. Ask your maintenance provider before touching the control surface. Also special coatings/paint may require special equipment, special preparation, application, cure time, etc. Be sure of what you are doing before you act!
- #29 You can repair upholstery and interior furnishings. However you should be aware that there are flammability standards or burn certification requirements for aircraft interior materials. Terms such as fire proof, fire resistant, flame resistant, and flash resistant can be confusing. FAR 23.853 and Appendix F lists the requirements. Advisory Circular 23-2a describes how flammability tests should be conducted. Be certain to use only materials from authorized sources with proper test certificate/reports as applicable. Simple activities such as replacing a missing screw in the side panel could cause big problems. There are accident cases where the insertion of a longer upholstery screw resulted in chafing through wire insulation or fluid lines causing interior fires.
- #30 Repair to composite contoured fairings maybe difficult and sometimes best left up to the professional. Not having the proper skill or technique may end up costing you more money in the long run.
- #31 Note that this says SIDE Windows with some conditions. You need to determine these conditions do not prevail. Also this activity does not include Windscreens/shields.
- #32 Seat belts installed on type certificated products must meet a Technical Standard Order such as TSO-C22g. Be aware A TSO does not authorize installation approval. When you enter your signature, with certificate type and number in the log book, you are authorizing for “return to service”. This means you are affirming and accountable that the belt is approved for installation. It is also important to check all attach points and hardware for wear, corrosion, and damage. Word of caution! Do not assume prior installation is correct and re-install it the same way. Read the manufactures instruction for proper reassembly!
- #33 Replacing a seats is permissible if it does not involve complex disassembly of any primary structure. For all applicable seats but especially for pilots and co-pilots seats, be absolutely sure the locking mechanism functions effectively and positively after installation. Do a thorough operational check.
- #34 Troubleshoot and repair of landing light wiring circuits is permissible however use caution when choosing the proper wire type and size for a repair. It is important to use proper tools, quality materials so that the condition of the item/system worked on will be at least equal to its original or properly altered condition. Recall the regulations we covered earlier? Does anyone recognize the chart on the screen? It is a chart found in AC 43.13 we discussed earlier.
- #35 Anytime you replace or reinstall a spark plug you must be certain it has the proper gap clearance. Improper gap may affect fuel burn efficiency or cause misfire. Use the correct tool to clean and gap the spark plug. Plugs also requires specific torque. Do you or do you not apply anti seize compound on the spark plug threads? When was the last time your torque wrench was calibrated? What would you do if you drop a spark plug on the floor? It is wise to discard it for new. Are you sure the right plugs were previously installed? We cannot reiterate enough to not assume anything and always check manufacture recommendations and parts requirements!!
- #36 Structural fastener replacement is not considered preventive maintenance. Any hardware replacement requires due diligence. Forget about going to the local hardware store. Just because it looks “about” right doesn’t necessarily make it so.
- #37 Here are some other useful publications to help you properly maintain your aircraft. Advisory Circulars can be found on faa.gov. Many FAA Publications can be found on faasafety.gov
- #38 Solicit Questions; Promote each of the bullet items. Encourage feedback, via phone, e-mail or using web link shown.
- #39 Remember this!