FAA Inspection Authorization (IA) study plan
FAA Inspection Authorization (IA) · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 8 hours per week
Regulations (14 CFR parts 1, 21, 39, 43, 45, 65, 91, 121, 135) and Airworthiness Directives
Map each Part in the domain list (1, 21, 39, 43, 45, 65, 91, 121, 135) to its regulatory purpose and the inspection-relevant sections inside it
Build a citation index of the sections that govern who may inspect, approve, and return an aircraft to service
Distinguish major repair, major alteration, minor repair, and minor alteration using Part 1 definitions and Part 43 Appendix A
Trace an airworthiness directive from Part 39 issuance through compliance, alternate means of compliance, and Part 43 recording
Your checkpoint
A citation index of at least 40 section numbers, each with a one-line statement of what it requires of an IA
Regulations (14 CFR parts 1, 21, 39, 43, 45, 65, 91, 121, 135) and Airworthiness Directives & Maintenance Records, Approvals for Return to Service, and Recordkeeping Requirements
Apply AD applicability language by make, model, serial number, and part number to decide whether an AD reaches a specific aircraft
Calculate recurring AD compliance intervals and next-due dates from a sample AD and calendar
Draft maintenance record entries that satisfy 43.9 content, form, and signature requirements
Classify records under 91.417 by retention period (permanent versus until superseded or one year)
Your checkpoint
A records audit checklist covering 10 record types with the correct retention period and regulatory citation for each
Maintenance Records, Approvals for Return to Service, and Recordkeeping Requirements & Annual and Progressive Inspections, Including Part 43 Appendix D Scope and Detail
Assemble a return-to-service approval matrix showing who may sign for annual, 100-hour, progressive, and preventive maintenance actions
Break Appendix D scope and detail into its airframe, engine, propeller, and appliance categories and paraphrase each item
Compare annual, 100-hour, progressive, and continuous inspection program requirements, including who may approve each
Separate owner/operator preventive maintenance from mechanic-required work using Part 43 Appendix A
Your checkpoint
An Appendix D cross-reference table listing at least 25 line items mapped to their paragraph letters and inspection category
Annual and Progressive Inspections, Including Part 43 Appendix D Scope and Detail & Major Repairs, Major Alterations, Field Approvals, and Form 337 Documentation
Justify a major repair versus major alteration determination for six realistic scenarios using Appendix A criteria
Complete every field of FAA Form 337 for a hypothetical alteration, including supporting approved data references
Compare field approval, DER approval, and STC pathways and select the correct one for each scenario
Sequence the steps and required submissions for approving and revising a progressive inspection program
Your checkpoint
A fully drafted Form 337 with a supporting-data write-up plus a pathway decision flowchart covering six scenarios
Major Repairs, Major Alterations, Field Approvals, and Form 337 Documentation & Type Certificate Data Sheets, Specifications, Airworthiness Limitations, and Instructions for Continued Airworthiness
Read a type certificate data sheet and extract certification basis, operating limitations, and required equipment
Locate airworthiness limitations sections and determine whether an item is FAA-approved and mandatory
Compare instructions for continued airworthiness requirements across product categories under Part 21
Determine when a design change triggers new ICA content or a TCDS revision
Your checkpoint
An annotated TCDS summary worksheet for two aircraft models with limitations, equipment, and ICA obligations extracted and flagged
Aircraft Structures and Systems Inspection (airframe, engines, propellers, appliances) & Weight and Balance and Equipment Lists
Identify inspection points and common defect locations for wing attach, empennage, landing gear, and pressure vessel areas
Trace engine, propeller, and appliance inspection items back to manufacturer ICA and AD requirements
Recompute weight and balance after an equipment change using an equipment list and empty-weight CG data
Determine when an equipment list change requires a revised weight and balance report or a Form 337
Your checkpoint
A completed weight and balance recalculation worksheet with an equipment list change log and CG verification
Inspection Authorization Privileges, Limitations, and Administrative Responsibilities & Regulations (14 CFR parts 1, 21, 39, 43, 45, 65, 91, 121, 135) and Airworthiness Directives & Maintenance Records, Approvals for Return to Service, and Recordkeeping Requirements
Outline IA privileges and limits under Part 65, including what an IA may and may not approve
List the administrative duties: inspection records, expiration and renewal, and reporting obligations
Identify situations that require an IA to decline approval and document the basis for refusal
Re-drill error-prone regulatory and records items from weeks 1 through 4
Your checkpoint
A one-page IA privileges and limitations reference plus a scored 40-question mixed-domain set at 80 percent or better
Regulations (14 CFR parts 1, 21, 39, 43, 45, 65, 91, 121, 135) and Airworthiness Directives & Maintenance Records, Approvals for Return to Service, and Recordkeeping Requirements & Annual and Progressive Inspections, Including Part 43 Appendix D Scope and Detail & Major Repairs, Major Alterations, Field Approvals, and Form 337 Documentation & Type Certificate Data Sheets, Specifications, Airworthiness Limitations, and Instructions for Continued Airworthiness & Aircraft Structures and Systems Inspection (airframe, engines, propellers, appliances) & Weight and Balance and Equipment Lists & Inspection Authorization Privileges, Limitations, and Administrative Responsibilities
Complete two timed 60-question simulated exams across all domains
Re-drill every missed item until each is answered correctly with a cited justification
Recite from memory the return-to-service signature rules and record retention periods
Review the highest-weight domains one final time using condensed notes
Your checkpoint
Two timed practice exams scored at 85 percent or better with a written remediation log for every missed item
Milestones
Week 2: Score 80 percent or better on a 25-question set covering regulations and ADs, and correctly state the retention period for all 10 record types in the audit checklist
Week 4: Score 80 percent or better on a 30-question set covering records, annual and progressive inspections, and major repairs/alterations; produce a Form 337 with no missing fields
Week 6: Score 80 percent or better on a 25-question set covering TCDS, ICA, structures and systems, and weight and balance; complete the W&B recalculation with a correct CG
Week 8: Score 85 percent or better on both timed 60-question simulated exams, with a remediation log showing every missed item re-answered correctly