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Maintenance Records and Entries

• Each person maintaining, performing preventive maintenance, rebuilding, or modifying an aircraft or aeronautical product must make an entry in the maintenance record if the work is satisfactorily performed
• The maintenance record should entail a description of performed work, a reference to data acceptable to the Authority, completion date, and the name, signature, certificate number, and license type of the approver
• The signature on the maintenance record constitutes approval for return to service
• Records of major repairs and modifications must be entered, and their disposal should follow the Authority's guidelines according to Implementing Standard IS: 5.7.1.1
• Aviation maintenance technicians working under supervision cannot perform inspections required in Part 8 or post-major repair/modification inspections.

Definitions of Major Repair and Modification

• Major Repair: Any repair that, if done improperly, could significantly impact the weight, balance, structural strength, performance, powerplant, flight characteristics, or airworthiness of an aircraft
• A major repair is also any repair that deviates from accepted practices or cannot be completed through elementary operations
• Major Modification: Alterations not specified in the aircraft, engine, or propeller specifications that could affect weight, balance, structural strength, performance, powerplant, flight characteristics, or airworthiness
• Like a major repair, modifications not following accepted practices or that cannot be done by elementary operations are considered major

Major Modification Examples: Airframe

• Airframe modifications include changes to: wings, tail surfaces, fuselage, engine mounts and control systems
• Modifications can also include changes to the landing gear, hull/floats and elements like spars, ribs, fittings, shock absorbers, bracing, and balance weights
• Adjustments to the hydraulic and electrical actuation systems, rotor blades, empty weight/balance (increasing max certified weight or CG limits), and basic design of fuel, oil, cooling cabin pressurization, electrical, hydraulic or exhaust systems are major modifications
• Changes affecting flutter and vibration characteristics of the wing or control surfaces also qualify as major modifications

Major Modifications Examples: Power-plant

• Power-plant modifications include changing an aircraft engine from one approved model to another
• Changing compression ratio, propeller reduction gear, impeller gear ratios, or substituting major engine parts needing rework/testing all classify as this type of modification
• Replacing structural parts with parts not supplied by the original manufacturer or unapproved by the Authority constitutes a major modification
• The installation of unapproved accessories, the removal of required accessories, installing structural parts of unapproved types, or converting to non-listed fuel also qualifies as this type of modification

Major Repair Examples: Airframe

• Airframe major repairs involve strengthening, reinforcing, splicing, and manufacturing replacements for primary structural members
• The use of fabrication techniques like riveting or welding are also major repairs of the airframe
• Examples include repairs to: box beams, monocoque/semimonocoque wings/control surfaces, wing stringers/chord members, spars, spar flanges
• Other examples include repairs to: truss beams, thin sheet webs, keel/chine members on boat hulls/floats, corrugated sheet compression members on wings/tail
• More examples are repairs to: wing main ribs/compression members, wing/tail surface brace struts, engine mounts, fuselage longerons, side/horizontal truss members/ bulkheads, seat support braces/brackets, and landing gear brace struts

Major Repair Examples: Power-plant and Propeller

• Power-plant major repairs pertain to engine repairs such as separating or disassembling crankcases/crankshafts of reciprocating engines with integral superchargers or non-spur-type propeller reduction gearing
• Other power-plant repairs are special structural engine part repairs through welding, plating, or metalizing
• Propeller major repairs involve: steel blade repairs/straightening, steel hub machining/repairing, blade shortening and wood propeller re-tipping or outer lamination replacement

Preventive Maintenance Definition

• Preventive maintenance is limited to specific tasks that do not involve complex assembly
• These tasks include removals, installations, and repairs of landing gear tires and replacing elastic shock absorber cords on landing gear
• Servicing landing gear shock struts with oil and/or air, bearing services, and lubrication not requiring extensive disassembly beyond cover plates/cowlings/fairings

More Preventive Maintenance Examples

• Preventive maintenance also consists of: simple fabric patches not requiring stitching/structural part or control surface removal and replenishing hydraulic fluid
• Refinishing decorative coatings for fuselage, wings, tail (excluding balanced control surfaces), fairings, cowling, landing gear or cabin/cockpit interiors provided no primary structure or system disassembly occurs
• Replacement of safety belts; replacement of seats with approved replacement parts not needing primary structure/system disassembly
• Additional examples are troubleshooting/repairing landing light circuits, replacing bulbs/reflectors/lenses for position/landing lights; replacing wheels/skis not involving weight/balance computations; and replacing cowlings without propeller removal/flight control disconnection

Authorize Release Certificate Use

• FAA Form 8130-3, known as the Authorize Release Certificate is multi-purpose
• This form declares a new or altered product conforms to its design and is in a condition for safe operation per Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulation (14 CFR) part 21
• The form can return used products/articles to service after inspection, maintenance, or alteration and used for exporting products/articles compliant with bilateral agreements between the U.S. and other countries
• The form promotes the identification and traceability of products/articles across the global aviation system

Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)

• A Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) is a type certificate awarded after the FAA approves an aeronautical product modification from its original design.

Records for Overhaul and Rebuilding

• No one can specify on a maintenance entry form that a product has been overhauled unless it has been disassembled, cleaned, inspected, repaired as needed, and reassembled using acceptable methods
• It must be tested with approved/acceptable standards and technical data by the type certificate holder, supplemental type certificate holder, or material/part/process/appliance manufacturing approval holder
• No one can specify an aircraft has been rebuilt unless it has been disassembled, cleaned, inspected, repaired as needed, and reassembled while being tested to original item specifications

Approval for Return to Service

• No one can approve the return to service without making the appropriate maintenance record entry and authorizing repairs/modifications by the Authority
• If a repair/modification changes the aircraft's operating limitations/flight data, the information must be revised and set forth as mandated

Records for Inspection

• Anyone approving or disapproving the return to service following a Part 8 inspection must make a maintenance record entry containing the type/extent of inspection, the date, and aircraft time in service
• It should also include the signature, license number, and type held by the one approving/disapproving the return to service
• The statement of airworthiness is: "I certify that this aircraft has been inspected in accordance with (insert type) inspection and was determined to be in airworthy condition".
• If the aircraft is disapproved for return to service, a similar statement must be made; however, it must state "I certify that this aircraft has been inspected in accordance with (insert type) inspection and a list of discrepancies and un-airworthy items dated (date) has been provided for the aircraft owner or operator"
• If an inspection is under a Part 8 program, the person must identify the program and confirm the inspection followed its procedures
• Anyone deeming an aircraft unairworthy must give the operator a list of discrepancies

Maintenance Record Requirements for AMO

• The AMO (Approved Maintenance Organization) must record all maintenance work details as the Authority sees fit and provide a return to service certificate copy to the aircraft operator along with airworthiness data for repairs/modifications performed
• The AMO should keep detailed maintenance records/associated airworthiness data for two years minimum from the date the aircraft or aeronautical product was released
• Maintenance records should include the description of work, data reference, work completion date, the performer's name (if different), approver's signature/certificate details, AMO certificate number, and signature authorization details
• Major repairs/modifications need an additional form and should be handled per the Authority's guidelines
• For overhauls, proper disassembly/cleaning/inspection/repair, and reassembly using methods approved by the Authority, and testing under approved standards are required

Airworthiness Directives

• Airworthiness directives should be complied with to ensure the continuing safety of aircraft, in accordance with regulations

Annual Inspection

• No one may operate an aircraft unless it has undergone an annual inspection within the previous 12 calendar months, completed by an AMT/A&P or an AMO, per Part 5.
• They also need an inspection for an Airworthiness Certificate by the Authority, compatible with Part 5.
• Annual inspections can be performed on non-complex aircraft with a maximum certified take-off mass of less than 5,700 kg not in commercial transport
• An annual inspection can be performed by an AMT/A&P under Part 2 or an AMO

Annual and 100-Hour Inspections

• Non-complex aircraft with a maximum certified take-off mass under 5,700 kg carrying anyone (besides crew) in commercial air transport cannot be operated without either an annual or 100-hour inspection within the preceding 100 hours of time in service
• They also need approval for return to service as per Part 5 regulations
• The 100-hour limit can be exceeded by up to 10 hours to reach an inspection location, with the excess time added to the next 100-hour count

100-Hour Inspection: Performance Rules

• Prior to an annual or 100-hour inspection, the aircraft and engine must be cleaned with all necessary inspection plates, doors, fairings, and cowlings removed or opened
• A person performing annual or 100 hours inspections must inspect the fuselage and hull components for fabric/skin deterioration, and distortion and check systems and components for improper installation, and apparent defects

Additional Inspection Items

• The cabin and cockpit should be inspected for uncleanness and loose equipment
• Seats, safety belts, windows, and windshields must be inspected for defects
• Instruments and flight/engine controls should be inspected for their condition, mounting, marking, and operation
• Batteries and all systems should be checked for their condition, installation, and attachment security

Engine and Landing Gear Inspections

• The engine section should be inspected for fuel/oil/hydraulic leaks
• Studs/nuts must be inspected for proper torquing
• Check the internal engine for compression and foreign materials
• The engine mount should be inspected for cracks and tightness and the vibration dampeners must assessed for deterioration
• Engine controls should be inspected for defects and proper safetying
• Lines/hoses/clamps must be inspected for leaks and wear
• Inspect exhaust stacks for cracks/defects and ensure accessories and the cowling are securely mounted
• Landing gear: check units for condition, linkages for wear, and operation of retracting and hydraulic systems
• The electrical system, wheels, tires, and brakes should be assessed for condition and proper operation

Wing and Empennage Inspections

• Inspect floats and skis for secure attachment and obvious or apparent defects
• The wing and center section assembly should be inspected for its general condition
• Fabric or skin deterioration should also be inspected along with distortion, and the security of attachment
• The complete empennage assembly should be inspected for its general condition
• Likewise, fabric or skin deterioration should be inspected along with distortion, and the security of attachment
• Improper component installation and operation must be inspected

Propeller and Avionics/Instrument Inspections

• Inspect the propeller assembly for cracks, nicks, bends, and oil leakage as well as improper torquing
• Check anti-icing devices, control mechanisms and inspect the avionics/instruments equipment for its installation
• The wiring and conduits should be inspected for routing, mounting, and defects with the avionics/instruments
• Check the wiring and conduits for routing and mounting and assess the electronic/electrical group for bonding/shielding and installation
• Check any miscellaneous installed items to ensure continued airworthiness