Aircraft Maintenance Requirements Flashcards
(22 cards)
What are the required tests and inspections to be performed on an aircraft? Include inspections for IFR. (14 CFR 91.409, 91.171, 91.411, 91.413, 91.207)
A Annual inspection within the preceding 12 calendar months (14 CFR
91.409)
A Airworthiness directives and life-limited parts complied with, as required
(14 CFR 91.403, 91.417)
V VOR equipment check every 30 days (for IFR ops) (14 CFR 91.171)
1 100-hour inspection, if used for hire or flight instruction in aircraft CFI
provides (14 CFR 91.409)
A Altimeter, altitude reporting equipment, and static pressure systems
tested and inspected (for IFR ops) every 24 calendar months (14 CFR
91.411)
T Transponder tests and inspections, every 24 calendar months (14 CFR
91.413)
E Emergency locator transmitter, operation and battery condition inspected
every 12 calendar months (14 CFR 91.207)
What is an “annual” inspection and which aircraft are required to
have annual inspections? (FAA-H-8083-25)
An annual inspection is a complete inspection of an aircraft and engine,
required by the regulations and is required to be accomplished every 12
calendar months on all certificated aircraft. Only an A&P technician holding
an Inspection Authorization can conduct an annual inspection.
What aircraft are required to have 100-hour inspections? (FAA-H8083-25, 14 CFR 91.409)
a. All aircraft under 12,500 pounds (except turbojet/ turbopropellerpowered multi-engine airplanes and turbine powered rotorcraft), used to carry passengers for hire.
b. Aircraft used for flight instruction for hire, when provided by the person
giving the flight instruction.
If an aircraft is operated for hire, is it required to have a 100-hour
inspection as well as an annual inspection? (14 CFR 91.409)
Yes, if an aircraft is operated for hire it must have a 100-hour inspection as well as an annual inspection when due. If not operated for hire, only an
annual inspection is required
What is the difference between an annual inspection and a 100-hour
inspection? (14 CFR Part 43)
The main difference is who is allowed to perform these inspections. Only an
A&P mechanic with an Inspection Authorization can perform an annual
inspection. 100-hour inspections may be performed by any A&P mechanic
(no IA required). 14 CFR Part 43, Appendix D (“Scope and Detail of Items to
be Included in Annual and 100-Hour Inspections”) contains a list of items to
be checked during inspections.
If an aircraft has been on a schedule of inspection every 100 hours,
under what condition may it continue to operate beyond the 100 hours
without a new inspection? (14 CFR 91.409)
The 100-hour limitation may be exceeded by not more than 10 hours while en
route to a place where the inspection can be done. The excess time used to
reach a place where the inspection can be done must be included in
computing the next 100 hours of time in service.
If the annual inspection date has passed, can an aircraft be operated to
a location where the inspection can be performed? (FAA-H-8083-25)
An aircraft overdue for an annual inspection may be operated under a Special
Flight Permit issued by the FAA for the purpose of flying the aircraft to a
location where the annual inspection can be performed. However, all
applicable ADs that are due must be complied with before the flight.
What are “Special Flight Permits,
” and when are they necessary? (14
CFR 91.213, 14 CFR 21.197)
A Special Flight Permit may be issued for an aircraft that may not currently
meet applicable airworthiness requirements but is capable of safe flight.
These permits are typically issued for the following purposes:
a. Flying an aircraft to a base where repairs, alterations or maintenance are
to be performed, or to a point of storage.
b. Delivering or exporting an aircraft.
c. Production flight testing new-production aircraft.
d. Evacuating aircraft from areas of impending danger.
e. Conducting customer demonstration flights in new-production aircraft
that have satisfactorily completed production flight tests.
How are “Special Flight Permits” obtained? (FAA-H-8083-25)
If a special flight permit is needed, assistance and the necessary forms may be
obtained from the local FSDO or Designated Airworthiness Representative
(DAR).
After aircraft inspections have been made and defects have been
repaired, who is responsible for determining that the aircraft is in an
airworthy condition? (14 CFR 91.7)
The pilot-in-command of a civil aircraft is responsible for determining
whether that aircraft is in a condition for safe flight. The pilot-in-command
shall discontinue the flight when un-airworthy, mechanical, electrical, or
structural conditions occur
What regulations apply concerning the operation of an aircraft that
has had alterations or repairs which may have substantially affected its
operation in flight? (14 CFR 91.407)
No person may operate or carry passengers in any aircraft that has undergone
maintenance, preventative maintenance, rebuilding, or alteration that may
have appreciably changed its flight characteristics or substantially affected its
operation in flight until an appropriately-rated pilot with at least a private
pilot certificate
a. Flies the aircraft;
b. Makes an operational check of the maintenance performed or alteration
made; and
c. Logs the flight in the aircraft records.
Can a pilot legally conduct flight operations with known inoperative
equipment onboard? (14 CFR 91.213, AC 91-67)
Yes, under specific conditions. 14 CFR Part 91 describes acceptable methods
for the operation of an aircraft with certain inoperative instruments and
equipment that are not essential for safe flight—they are:
a. Operation of an aircraft with a Minimum Equipment List (MEL), as
authorized by 14 CFR 91.213(a) or -
b. Operation of an aircraft without a MEL under 14 CFR 91.213(d)
Exam Tip: Know this regulation well—unfamiliarity with 14 CFR 91.213 is a
common weakness of applicants at all levels. You must demonstrate that you
know this regulation and how to apply it.
What limitations apply to aircraft operations conducted using the
deferral provision of 14 CFR 91.213(d)? (FAA-H-8083-25)
When inoperative equipment is found during preflight or prior to departure,
the decision should be to cancel the flight, obtain maintenance prior to flight,
or to defer the item or equipment. Maintenance deferrals are not used for
inflight discrepancies. The manufacturer’s AFM/POH procedures are to be
used in those situations.
During the preflight inspection in an aircraft that doesn’t have a
MEL, you notice that an instrument or equipment item is inoperative.
Describe how you will determine if the aircraft is still airworthy for
flight. (14 CFR 91.213(d), AC 91-67, FAA-H-8083-25)
I will ask myself the following questions to determine if I can legally fly the
airplane with the inoperative equipment item:
a. Are the inoperative instruments or equipment part of the VFR-day type
certification?
b. Are the inoperative instruments or equipment listed as “Required” on the
aircraft’s equipment list or “Kinds of Operations Equipment List (KOEL)”
for the type of flight operation being conducted?
c. Are the inoperative instruments or equipment required by 14 CFR
§91.205, §91.207 or any other rule of 14 CFR Part 91 for the specific kind
of flight operation being conducted? (For example, VFR, IFR, day, night.)
d. Are the inoperative instruments or equipment required to be operational
by an AD?
If the answer is “Yes” to any of these questions, the aircraft is not airworthy
and maintenance is required before I can fly. If the answer is “No” to any of
these questions, then the inoperative instruments or equipment must be
removed (by an A&P) from the aircraft, or deactivated and placarded
“Inoperative.”
What are Minimum Equipment Lists?
The Minimum Equipment List (MEL) is a precise listing of instruments,
equipment and procedures that allows an aircraft to be operated under
specific conditions with inoperative equipment. The MEL is the specific
inoperative equipment document for a particular make and model aircraft by
serial and registration numbers; e.g., BE-200, N12345. The FAA-approved
MEL includes only those items of equipment that the FAA deems may be
inoperative and still maintain an acceptable level of safety with appropriate
conditions and limitations.
For an aircraft with an approved MEL, explain the decision sequence
a pilot would use after discovering the position lights are inoperative.
(FAA-H-8083-25)
With an approved MEL, if the position lights were discovered inoperative
prior to a daytime flight, the pilot would make an entry in the maintenance
record or discrepancy record provided for that purpose. The item is then
either repaired or deferred in accordance with the MEL. Upon confirming
that daytime flight with inoperative position lights is acceptable in
accordance with the provisions of the MEL, the pilot would leave the position
lights switch OFF, open the circuit breaker (or whatever action is called for in
the procedures document), and placard the position light switch as
INOPERATIVE.
Explain the limitations that apply to aircraft operations being
conducted using an MEL. (FAA-H-8083-25)
The use of an MEL for a small, non-turbine-powered airplane operated under
Part 91 allows for the deferral of inoperative items or equipment. The FAA
considers an approved MEL to be a supplemental type certificate (STC)
issued to an aircraft by serial number and registration number. Once an
operator requests an MEL, and a Letter of Authorization (LOA) is issued by
the FAA, then the MEL becomes mandatory for that aircraft. All maintenance
deferrals must be done in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
MEL and the operator-generated procedures document.
What instruments and equipment are required for VFR day flight?
(14 CFR 91.205)
For VFR flight during the day, the following instruments and equipment are
required:
A nticollision light system—aviation red or white for small airplanes
certificated after March 11, 1996
T achometer for each engine
O il pressure gauge for each engine
M anifold pressure gauge (for each altitude engine, i.e. turbocharged)
A ltimeter
T emperature gauge for each liquid-cooled engine
O il temperature gauge for each air-cooled engine
F uel gauge indicating the quantity in each tank
F lotation gear—if operated for hire over water beyond power-off gliding
distance from shore
L anding gear position indicator, if the airplane has retractable gear
A irspeed indicator
M agnetic direction indicator
E mergency locator transmitter (if required by 14 CFR 91.207)
S afety belts (and shoulder harnesses for each front seat in aircraft
manufactured after 1978)
What instruments and equipment are required for VFR night flight?
(14 CFR 91.205)
For VFR flight at night, all the instruments and equipment for VFR day flight
are required, plus the following:
F uses—one spare set or three fuses of each kind required accessible to the
pilot in flight
L anding light—if the aircraft is operated for hire
A nticollision light system—approved aviation red or white
P osition lights—(navigation lights)
S ource of electrical energy—adequate for all installed electrical and radio
equipment
Who can perform maintenance on an aircraft? (FAA-H-8083-25)
FAA-certificated A&P mechanic, an A&P mechanic with Inspector
Authorization, an appropriately-rated FAA-certificated repair station, or the
aircraft manufacturer.
Define “preventive maintenance.” (FAA-H-8083-25, 14 CFR Part 43,
AC 43-12)
Preventive maintenance means simple or minor preservation operations and
the replacement of small standard parts not involving complex assembly
operations. Certificated pilots, excluding student pilots, sport pilots, and
recreational pilots, may perform preventive maintenance on any aircraft that
is owned or operated by them provided that aircraft is not used in air carrier
service. 14 CFR Part 43 Appendix A identifies typical preventive
maintenance operations which include such basic items as oil changes, wheel
bearing lubrication, hydraulic fluid (brakes, landing gear system) refills.
What logbook entry information is required of the person performing preventive maintenance?
All pilots who maintain or perform preventive maintenance must make an
entry in the maintenance record of the aircraft. The entry must include a
description of the work, the date of completion of the work performed, and an
entry of the pilot’s name, signature, certificate number, and type of certificate
held.
