Preventive Maintenance

10/28/83 N:. 43-12A (2) A Pilot may not perfonn preventive naintenance oo aircraft used under Parts 121, 127, or 135, even when the pilot owns the aircraft. c. Persons authorized to perform preventive maintenance. In addition to those persons listed in paragraph 4a of this AC, Sectioo 43.3(g) authorizes the holder of a pilot oortificate issued under Part 61 to perform preventive maintenance. Section 43.7 limits the privilege to persons oolding at least a private pilot certificate and Section 43.5 prohibits operation of the aircraft unless approved for return to service. Further, pilots nay ooly approve for return to service preventive maintenance which they themselves have accarplished. d. Applicable performance standartls. {1) FAR 43.13 requires preventive rraintenance to be <bne using methods, techniques, and practices acceptable to the Adnllnistrator. These are normally set forth in the manufacturer's maintenance manuals; however, same may be found in AC's published by the FAA. (2} FAR 43.13 requires the use of the tools, equiprrent, and test apparatus necessary to assure completion of the work in accordance with accepted irrlustry practices. This rreans that the proper tools and test apparatus rcust be used. Normally these are listed as part of any FAA-approved manufacturer's maintenance literature. { 3) FAR 43.13 also requires that any special equipment recc.moonded. by the rre.nufacturer or its equivalent rcust be used in a manner acceptable to the Administrator. This provis-ion is rrpre directly applicable to rraintenance than preventive rraintenanoe. However, it nay cx:rre into play. Therefore, omers and pilots should be aware of it. (4) Additionally, Section 43.13 requires that the work performed and the materials used are to be such as to ensure that, when the work is finished, the itern worked en is at least equal to its original condition. Caution m.1st be exercised because same functions which appear to be simple tasks may, in fact, be quite CXJ~t"q?licated. Care should be taken to ensure that the manufacturer•s instructions are understood, the function is within the individual 1 s capability, within the definition of preventive maintenance, and that it is listed in paragraph (c) of Appeooix A of Part 43. e. Recording preventive maintenance. Preventive rraintenanoe nust be recorded in accordance with section 43.9 of FAR Part 43. '!his is chne by entering in the maintenance record, of the item worked oo, the following: (1) "A description (or reference to data acceptable to the Administrator) of the work performed." This shoold indicate what was done and how it was <bne. This is normally quite simple for preventive maintenance: however, if the description is extensive, reference to docutoonts containing that description is acceptable. These may be manufacturer's Par 4 2

10/28/83 N::. 43-12A manuals, AC's, or other docunents or references containing data acceptable to the .Administrator. If d:::>o.nrents other than types which are in cx:mron use are referenced, the cbCUITent should be made a part of the maintenance record, as required by Section 43.9(a)(l). ( 2) "The date of carpletion of the work perfonred." This is self explanatory and is the date on which the entry is nade, as required by Section 43.9(a)(2). (3) The kind of airman certificate exercised. \then preventive maintenance is performed as authorized in Section 43. 3(g), the certificate may be indicated in any manner whi~h would be clear to the reader. For exanple: PP, CP, or ATP might be used to indicate private, commercial, or airline transport pilot, respectively. The certificate nUmber.is that number displayed on the certificate beifkJ exercised. Affixing a signature to the entry, which describes the work aca:xrplished, constitutes approval for return to service, as required by Section 43.9(a)(4). NOTE: Sinoo CMners/pilots are not authorized to approve work accanplished by others, Section 43.9(a) (3) is not applicable when preventive naintenanoe is perfo:rtred by the holder of a pilot's certificate. The holder of the pilot's certificate <:bing the work is the only person who can sign the approval for return to service. f. '!he changes to Section 43.9 which require preventive maintenance to be recorded became effective October 15, 1982 (Amendment 43-23, 47 FR 41076: September 16, 1982). On this same date, the list of items considered to be preventive maintenance in Appendix A of Part 43 was expanded. ~ of the item:; warrant discussion. · (1) Item 25 (Part 43, Appendix A, paragraph (c)). This item deals with the assembly of gliders and has been an the list of preventive maintenance for sane tine. The new recording requireroonts, h::Jwever, significantly affects this iten. The recordiDJ requirements are intended to provide continuity in the maintenance record and to ensure that the person performing preventive maintenance assumes responsibility for the work perforrred. An entry for the assembly after required inspection ensures this ass\.JJTPtion of responsibility. Repeated entries are required each time a person assembles the aircraft for operation. The assembly nust re recorded and the aircraft approved for return to service in accordance with Section 43.9 by a person authorized in Section 43.7. (2) Item 28 (Part 43, Appendix A, paragraph (c)). This item deals with the installation of balloon baskets and burners specifically designed for quick renoval and installatia1. Such disasserrt>ly and assembly is necessary to facilitate transportiDJ the balloon either to the launch site or after a flight is terminated. The assembly operation is preventive naintenanoe and subject to the provisions of Sections 43.3, 43.7, and 43.9. As required by Section 43.l(b), entries are required for assembly operations on all balloons except those certificated in the experimental category which have not been previously certificated in another category. 3 Par 4

10/28/83 AC 43-12A g. Items 6 and 23 (Part 43, Appendix A, paragraph (c)). These items permit the draining and reservicing of oil, and the removal, cleaning and reinstallation of oil screens, filters, and strainers in an aircraft oil system to be done as preventive maintenance, and are subject to the provisions of Sections 43.13(a) and (b). ~.lh.P~ Joseph A. Pontecorvo Acting Director of Airworthiness Par 4 4