Powerplant Airworthiness and Regulatory Requirements
Core concepts
Understand the regulatory framework: type certificates, airworthiness certificates, and the role of approved manuals. Know the difference between maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, and alteration. Study the requirements for return to service, the meaning of an airworthiness directive, and the importance of service bulletins. Learn about recordkeeping: logbooks, maintenance records, and the requirement to retain them. Understand the privileges and limitations of a mechanic certificate with airframe and powerplant ratings. Know the rules for performing maintenance under supervision and the requirement for inspection authorization for certain work.
Traps to expect
Questions often test whether a service bulletin is mandatory (it is not unless incorporated by an airworthiness directive or regulation). Another trap is confusing preventive maintenance with maintenance; preventive maintenance is limited and must be listed. Watch for the requirement that major repairs and alterations be approved and documented. Also know that an airworthiness directive is mandatory and must be complied with within the specified time.
Worked example
If an airworthiness directive requires compliance within 100 hours time in service and the component has 40 hours since last compliance, it must be complied with within the next 60 hours. Rule of thumb: AD compliance time is measured from the last compliance or from the effective date, whichever applies.
Study habit
Build a table of document types (AD, SB, STC, Form 337) with who issues them, whether they are mandatory, and what record they generate.