Maintenance Rules (Part 43 and Equivalents)
Section 12: Continued Airworthiness & Maintenance
Definition
14 CFR Part 43 (FAA) defines the standards and rules for maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, and alteration of aircraft, engines, propellers, and appliances. It establishes who is authorized to perform maintenance, what standards must be followed, and what records must be kept. Equivalent regulations exist in EASA (Part-M and Part-ML for continuing airworthiness management, Part-145 for maintenance organizations) and TCCA (CAR 571 for maintenance requirements, CAR 573 for approved maintenance organizations).
Where This Shows Up
Part 43 is fundamental to continued airworthiness in the FAA system. It requires that all maintenance be performed using methods, techniques, and practices prescribed in the current manufacturer's maintenance manuals or equivalent data acceptable to the Administrator. It also requires that the person performing the maintenance sign a maintenance release (return to service) certifying that the work was performed in accordance with approved data. Part 43 Appendix A defines major alterations and major repairs, which require more rigorous approval processes. The distinction between major and minor maintenance determines the level of approval authority required.
Primary Sources
Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alteration — the FAA rule defining maintenance standards, authorized persons, and recordkeeping requirements.
Continuing airworthiness requirements for aircraft and components, defining the responsibilities for maintaining airworthiness in the EASA system.
Maintenance requirements in the Canadian aviation regulatory system.
Across Jurisdictions
14 CFR Part 43
Defines maintenance standards, who may perform and approve maintenance, what constitutes major vs. minor maintenance, and recordkeeping requirements. Applies to all US-registered aircraft.
Regulation (EU) 1321/2014, as amended
Part-M defines continuing airworthiness management requirements for large aircraft and air carriers. Part-ML provides a lighter framework for general aviation. Both work in conjunction with Part-145 for maintenance organization approvals.
CAR 571, CAR 573
CAR 571 defines maintenance requirements and standards. CAR 573 defines requirements for approved maintenance organizations (AMOs). Together they form the Canadian maintenance regulatory framework.
Related Terms
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