All you pilots and A&P's out there

[Darwin]

Is there a bulletin or list out there somewhere that specifies the type of work that a private pilot can perform on his own airplane?

 

[NutmegCT]

You can do a *lot* of work on your own aircraft. To be legal and retain airworthiness, make sure you conform to the FARs:

https://www.risingup.com/fars/info/43-index.shtml

https://www.risingup.com/fars/info/part43-3-FAR.shtml

Tom

 

[Darwin]

Thanks Tom,
Our local A&P IA is being forced out of business by an overzelous FAA official. A paperwork error from 30 years ago (before he ever saw the airplane) is going to cost him his lisence. The pilots on the field would like to know what they can do for themselves. This will help greatly.

 

[BustedKnuckles]

Pilot's Guide To Preventive Maintenance -- https://www.watsonvillepilots.org/articles/DIYmaint.htm

 

[donbmw]

Below are links to the FAA web site on this. As and A&P/IA and Service Manager of a FAA 145 repair station. I do not like see aircraft that the owner is doing a lot of work on his aircraft. The Preventive Maintenace list it to broad and cover alot of things that only an A&P should be doing. The majority of owners know the limitations but there are some that don't and these are the ones that can get some hurt and could get and A&P in trouble and the A&P not know until the FAA come calling.

Link to FAA FAR 43 Appendix A Major repairs, Minor repairs and Preventive Maintenance
https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-i...de995&node=14:1.0.1.3.21.0.363.14.53&rgn=div9

Link to FAA AC43-12 A Preventive Maintenace.
https://www.faa.gov/regulations_pol.../index.cfm/go/document.list/parentTopicID/114

 

[PAUL161]

Below are links to the FAA web site on this. As and A&P/IA and Service Manager of a FAA 145 repair station. I do not like see aircraft that the owner is doing a lot of work on his aircraft. The Preventive Maintenace list it to broad and cover alot of things that only an A&P should be doing. The majority of owners know the limitations but there are some that don't and these are the ones that can get some hurt and could get and A&P in trouble and the A&P not know until the FAA come calling.

Link to FAA FAR 43 Appendix A Major repairs, Minor repairs and Preventive Maintenance
https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-i...de995&node=14:1.0.1.3.21.0.363.14.53&rgn=div9

Link to FAA AC43-12 A Preventive Maintenace.
https://www.faa.gov/regulations_pol.../index.cfm/go/document.list/parentTopicID/114

I agree whole heartily! FAA licensed mechanics have a tremendous responsibility, as someones life depends on what they do to an aircraft. Their signature goes into a log book stating what repairs were done by them. The one major thing I do before even thinking about buying one, is to study the logs very carefully! I've been flying since 1964, fixed wing and helicopters, owned a few aircraft and other than checking for loose screws, airing the tires, checking fuel contamination, I always leave the rest to an A&P, even changing the oil.
To answer your question, yes you can work on your own aircraft, under the preventive maintenance guide. But other than that, no A&P will sign off your work and if you want to sell the aircraft, those logs better be on the up and up, because if their not, it can come back to bite you later. JMHO. PJ

 

[Darwin]

Thanks PJ,
I am not a pilot but I have many friends who are. Both my brother and nephew were A&P IA's. My brother has passed and my nephew has surrendered his liceinces due to a snafu over paperwork involving an STC done over 30 years ago by someone else.He was the last mechanic to sign off on the plae therefore he is the one on the hot seat. I few of his former clients have asked about this info and I am trying to help them get answers. They are aware of the limitations and plan on trying to get a new FBO on our field asap. Mostly it is just curiosity on their parts, and while he can no longer do A&P work my nephew can still give them the benifit of his experience and knowledge.

 

[Hot Wings]

my nephew has surrendered his liceinces due to a snafu over paperwork involving an STC done over 30 years ago by someone else.He was the last mechanic to sign off on the plae therefore he is the one on the hot seat. I

It is truly sad when things like this happen. Years ago I had little problem finding A+P/IA's to sign off my work. Today none of the local IA's will even do an annual on my brothers Aeronca because they don't know tube and rag. It hasn't flown on over three years. Our only option is to wait for his son to get his IA and/or for me to take the time to take the A+P test.

One potential bright spot on the horizon is that the current ARC/NPRM process should include the option of owner maintenance for non commercial planes similar to Canada's. If this does turn out to be part of the final rule then in an odd twist, your nephew may again be able to work on planes, and have the owners sign off his work. :dispirited:

The final rule is scheduled for sometime in 2017. If the NPRM is out by the legislated deadline I'd be real surprised.

 

[PAUL161]

Well Darwin, when it comes to aviation and airplanes, I'm a stickler for doing things the way the FAA want's it done! My students over the years have called me a tough instructor and I never minded that tag. No student ever went up without a full check list on the preflight. Two things I always stressed, there's no place up there to park this thing and the fan out front, it was there to keep the pilot cool, because if it stops, it'll get very hot behind the yoke/stick! Amazing how such simple words sink in ahead of all the technical stuff so deeply.
I guess I've done pretty well over the years, including a little luck, in May of 2014 I'm to receive a fifty year safe flying award for no accidents in that time from the FAA. Kinda proud of that. Not many of those given out. PJ

 

[Darwin]

Congrats on the award. By all means satety comes fisrt, last, and always. I am in now way saying that pilots should circumvent the rules established by the FAA. I only think that pilots need to be informed as to what the FAA allows them to do.