The FAA has established a comprehensive framework of regulations, orders, and advisory circulars to ensure that aircraft, including business aircraft, are maintained and inspected to the highest standards. Here are the key FAA documents that regulate the maintenance and inspection of business aircraft:
Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR):
Part 43: Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alteration - As discussed earlier, this part provides the rules and standards for how maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, and alterations should be conducted and documented.
Part 125: Certification and Operations for Large Aircraft - If the business aircraft is large (over 20,000 pounds maximum certified takeoff weight), this part contains additional operation, maintenance, and inspection specifications.
Advisory Circulars (ACs): These are non-binding documents that provide guidance and additional information on best practices, methods, and procedures. Some relevant ACs for maintenance and inspection include:
AC 43-9C: Maintenance Records
AC 43.13-1B: Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices - Aircraft Inspection and Repair
AC 43.13-2B: Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices - Aircraft Alterations
FAA Orders: These are internal FAA directives but can be relevant for industry stakeholders. For instance:
FAA Order 8900.1: Flight Standards Information Management System (FSIMS) - This order includes guidance for FAA inspectors about oversight of various aviation operations, including maintenance.
Maintenance Manuals and Inspection Programs from Manufacturers: While these are not FAA documents, they are approved by the FAA. Each aircraft manufacturer provides a maintenance manual specific to each aircraft model, and these manuals outline recommended and required maintenance procedures, intervals, and practices. For business aircraft operated under Part 91, an owner/operator might also use a manufacturer's inspection program or another FAA-accepted program as the basis for the aircraft's ongoing inspection requirements.
Type Certificate Data Sheets (TCDS): For each certificated aircraft, engine, propeller, or appliance model, the FAA issues a TCDS. This document provides the specifications, conditions, and limitations under which airworthiness requirements were established.
Airworthiness Directives (ADs): These are legally enforceable mandates issued by the FAA to address safety issues with specific aircraft, engines, propellers, or appliances. They specify maintenance actions, inspections, or alterations that must be undertaken to rectify or monitor known safety issues.
For business aircraft operators, keeping abreast of these regulatory documents is crucial to ensure compliance, operational safety, and legal operations within the U.S. It's always wise to work with experienced aviation maintenance professionals and legal advisors to ensure full compliance with all FAA maintenance and inspection requirements.