📘14 CFR §91.417 – Maintenance Records

🚩 Overview

Accurate and thorough maintenance records document the airworthiness history of an aircraft, ensuring compliance with FAA standards. Owners/operators are required to maintain specific maintenance records, entries, and inspections as outlined by the FAA.

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✅ Key Operational Requirements

📋 1. Required Records

Owners/operators must keep comprehensive records including:

• Preventive maintenance, inspections, repairs, alterations, and 100-hour/annual inspections.

• Airworthiness Directives (ADs) and their compliance status.

• Life-limited parts and their current status.

🗃 2. Record Retention

• Maintenance records must be retained and readily available for inspection.

• Records related to maintenance work performed must be kept until the work is superseded by subsequent maintenance.

• Records for inspections and AD compliance must be retained for at least 1 year after the work is completed or until the work is superseded by other work.

✈️ 3. Transfer of Records

• When an aircraft is sold, transferred, or leased, the current owner/operator must provide the new owner/operator with:

  • Complete records of current status of life-limited parts.

  • Records of time since the last overhaul for components required by the manufacturer.

  • Records of current status of inspections (annual, 100-hour, altimeter, transponder).

📑 4. Logbook Entries

Each logbook entry must include:

• Description of the work performed.

• Date of completion.

• Name, signature, and certificate number of the authorized individual completing the work.

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🛩️ Example Scenario

You’ve just completed the annual inspection of your aircraft. Carefully verify that your mechanic has entered detailed records in the aircraft’s logbooks, including specifics about the inspection, date completed, certification number, and compliance with Airworthiness Directives (ADs). Retain these records for future reference and compliance verification.

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📌 CFI Pro Tips

• Teach Logbook Discipline: Train your students (especially aircraft owners/operators) on the importance of maintaining detailed and organized maintenance records.

• Inspection Awareness: Encourage students to review and understand maintenance records before each flight, reinforcing the critical role they play in ensuring airworthiness.

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📚 Further Reading and Official References

• 14 CFR §91.417 (Full FAA Regulation): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-91/subpart-E/section-91.417

• FAA Advisory Circular AC 43-9C (Maintenance Records): https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_43-9C_CHG_2.pdf

• FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge – Aircraft Maintenance: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak