FAA Inspection Authorization (IA) key terms

An FAA authorization held by a qualified airframe and powerplant mechanic that permits the holder to approve an aircraft for return to service after an annual inspection, a progressive inspection, or a major repair or major alteration.

A rule issued by the FAA under 14 CFR Part 39 that requires specific inspections, repairs, or modifications when an unsafe condition exists in a product; compliance is mandatory to keep the aircraft airworthy.

A complete inspection of the aircraft, engine, propeller, and appliances required at least every 12 calendar months under 14 CFR 91.409, covering the scope and detail of Part 43 Appendix D and approved for return to service by an IA holder.

An inspection of the same scope as an annual, required within the preceding 100 hours of time in service for aircraft flown for compensation or hire, which a certificated mechanic may perform and approve.

An FAA-approved program that divides the required complete inspection into smaller segments performed at set intervals, so the aircraft can be inspected in stages instead of all at once.

The appendix to 14 CFR Part 43 that lists the scope and detail of items to be checked during an annual or 100-hour inspection, covering airframe, engine, propeller, and appliance requirements.

A repair that, if improperly done, might appreciably affect weight, balance, structural strength, performance, powerplant operation, flight characteristics, or other qualities affecting airworthiness.

An alteration not listed in the aircraft, engine, or propeller specifications that might appreciably affect weight, balance, structural strength, performance, powerplant operation, flight characteristics, or other qualities affecting airworthiness.

The Major Repair and Alteration form used to describe the work performed, identify the approved data relied on, and record approval for return to service of a major repair or major alteration.

A case-by-case approval of a major repair or alteration given by an FAA inspector when approved data does not otherwise exist; the approval is documented on Form 337 with supporting data attached.

An FAA design approval for a change to a type-certified product; it authorizes the alteration and supplies the approved data needed to install and approve it.

An alteration that is not a major alteration because it does not appreciably affect weight, balance, structural strength, performance, powerplant operation, flight characteristics, or other qualities affecting airworthiness.

A repair other than a major repair, one that does not appreciably affect weight, balance, structural strength, performance, or other airworthiness qualities, and that a certificated mechanic may approve.

Design information the FAA has approved for use in accomplishing a major repair or alteration, such as a supplemental type certificate, a field approval, or data specifically approved by the Administrator.

The signed statement in the maintenance record certifying that the work was performed properly and that the aircraft or component is approved for return to service.

The required written description of maintenance performed, including the work done, the date, the signature and certificate number of the person approving it, and a reference to approved data when used.

The rule setting how long records must be kept: routine maintenance and inspection records for at least one year, while major alterations, AD status, total times, and life-limited part records are retained and transferred with the aircraft.

Documentation identifying each applicable Airworthiness Directive and showing the method, date, and signature for its compliance, kept current and transferred with the aircraft when ownership changes.

An Authorized Release Certificate used to identify a part or assembly and certify that it conforms to approved design data and is airworthy for installation on an aircraft.

The FAA document that accompanies a type certificate and records approved configurations, operating limitations, required equipment, and other certification data for that product.

The manufacturer's maintenance, inspection, and servicing instructions required by the certification rules, describing how the product is kept airworthy throughout its service life.

Mandatory inspection intervals, life limits, and maintenance actions within the instructions for continued airworthiness that must be complied with, and that cannot be changed without FAA approval.

A component that must be permanently removed from service after a stated number of flight hours, cycles, or calendar time, as specified in the airworthiness limitations or type certificate data sheet.

A manufacturer's publication describing recommended inspections or modifications; it is not mandatory by itself unless an Airworthiness Directive or an approved inspection program makes it so.

The FAA certificate issued for an aircraft that conforms to its approved type design and is in condition for safe operation; it remains valid only while required maintenance and inspections are kept current.

Simple or minor preservation work and replacement of small standard parts not involving complex assembly, which a certificated pilot may perform on an aircraft not operated for compensation or hire.

An FAA design and production approval that allows a manufacturer to make replacement or modification parts for type-certified products, making those parts eligible for installation.

An FAA minimum performance standard for specified materials, parts, and appliances; an article produced under a TSO authorization is approved for installation where the applicable rules allow it.

A certificate issued under 14 CFR 21.197 that allows an aircraft not currently meeting airworthiness requirements to be flown for a specific purpose, such as to a repair facility, under stated operating limitations.

Inspection methods such as dye penetrant, magnetic particle, ultrasonic, eddy current, and radiography that reveal surface or internal defects in a part without damaging it.

The chemical or electrochemical deterioration of metal in service; inspections must look for it, and any found must be treated using the manufacturer's approved methods and materials.

The weight of the aircraft with all installed equipment and required fluids, including unusable fuel and full oil, but excluding usable fuel, payload, and crew.

The greatest total weight authorized for the aircraft and everything in it, published in the type certificate data sheet and flight manual; exceeding it violates the operating limitations.

A record of the equipment installed in a particular aircraft, with each item's weight and arm, used to keep the weight and balance current and to verify required equipment is aboard.

The document showing an aircraft's empty weight, empty-weight center of gravity, and equipment list; it must be revised whenever a repair or alteration changes weight or balance.

The forward and aft boundaries, measured from the datum, within which the loaded aircraft's center of gravity must remain for every approved loading condition and flight configuration.

The yearly process by which an IA holder applies to the FAA on the designated form, documenting the required inspection activity or completed refresher training needed to keep the authorization in effect.

The restrictions on an IA's authority, including that annual inspections must be performed personally while progressive inspections may be supervised, and that approval is limited to work within the privileges granted.