Safety is always a first consideration for pilots, and preventive maintenance in aviation supports that. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) states there are approximately 350,000 small airplanes worldwide, with more than half of those based in the United States. Of the over 23 million flight hours conducted annually, two-thirds are related to business operations.
We take safety very seriously at Monmouth Executive Airport (KBLM). Our Monmouth Jet Centre FBO services include on-field aircraft maintenance and aircraft detailing services in NJ. We always collaborate with our clients to ensure the safety of their private jets, prop planes, and helicopters, whether they use our airport for leisure or business.
In this article, we define aircraft preventive maintenance, highlight its benefits, and share which FAA regulation allows private pilots to perform preventive maintenance.
What Is Aircraft Preventive Maintenance?
The FAA defines aircraft preventive maintenance as “simple or minor preservation operations and the replacement of small standard parts not involving complex assembly operations.” There are restrictions on who is allowed to perform restrictive maintenance, and these are clearly set out in the Code of Federal Regulations, 14 CFR Part 43.
Appendix A to Part 43 clearly states what falls under preventive maintenance, and the work can only be done if it does not involve complex assembly operations. Works include:
- Removal, installation, and repair of landing gear tires.
- Lubrication not requiring disassembly other than removal of nonstructural items such as cover plates, cowlings, and fairings.
- Replacing bulbs, reflectors, and lenses of position and landing lights.
The Benefits of Preventive Aircraft Maintenance
The advantages of preventive aircraft maintenance are extensive and include safety, compliance, pilot proficiency, improved performance, and cost savings. Preventive maintenance helps to identify and resolve potential problems before they lead to performance issues or accidents. Aircraft manufacturers and the FAA set regular inspection schedules for every type of aircraft, and regular maintenance contributes to these compliance requirements.
Owners and pilots performing routine maintenance learn to understand their aircraft better, which helps to identify issues quickly. This knowledge can be very beneficial in an emergency. Well-maintained aircraft are more reliable and perform better. Since preventive maintenance identifies possible issues early on, it minimizes the likelihood of the problem becoming a major repair.
What Regulation Allows a Private Pilot to Perform Preventive Maintenance?
14 CFR Part 43 indicates who can perform preventive maintenance. Owners or operators of airplanes being used for 14 CFR Part 121, 129, or 135 are not allowed to perform preventive maintenance. If you hold an FAA-certified private pilot license issued under Part 61, you are allowed to perform preventive maintenance, but only on the aircraft you own and/or fly.
The FAA classes all repairs and alterations as major or minor, other than those falling in the preventive maintenance category. When you perform preventive maintenance, you must meet the same standards as a certified mechanic, which includes the return to service maintenance entry.
Requirements for Airplane Maintenance
Airplane maintenance requirements are different from preventive maintenance. The FAA defines maintenance as the “inspection, overhaul, repair, preservation, and the replacement of parts, but excludes preventive maintenance.” It can only be performed by an FAA-authorized aviation maintenance technician (AMT). Minor repairs and alterations must be returned to service by an appropriately rated certified airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic. Major repairs and alterations must be approved and returned to service by an FAA representative, an appropriately rated certified repair facility, or an A&P mechanic holding an Inspection Authorization.
All civilian aircraft must undergo an annual inspection. However, only private jets and other aircraft carrying passengers for hire or those used for flight instruction for hire are required to comply with 100-hour inspections.
Monmouth Executive Airport is a privately owned, public-use airport in New Jersey, only a 20-minute helicopter ride or a one-hour drive from the center of Manhattan. We highly encourage preventive maintenance in aviation. Contact us today for more information on our airport and services.