Educational Reference Only: Information verified as of September 27, 2026 from the sources cited below. Not legal advice. Regulations change. Verify the current rule at eCFR.gov and consult a qualified aviation attorney and your A&P/IA for your specific situation. This site is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

GA Shop Rules Reference

Shop Library

The rules a general aviation shop works by, one card each. Every card gives the rule in plain words, the exact words of the rule, and the official page it came from. Read the source yourself before you act on it.

Talk to your FSDO or principal inspector about your specific situation.

Who Can Do The Work

• Who May Perform: 43.3

  Claim

  Generally, under 14 CFR 43.3, a mechanic certificate holder may perform maintenance, preventive maintenance and alterations as Part 65 provides. A person working under a certificated mechanic or repairman may do the work that supervisor is authorized to do, if the supervisor watches the work as needed and is readily available in person. That does not cover inspections required by Part 91 or Part 125, or any inspection after a major repair or alteration.

  Proof

  “The holder of a mechanic certificate may perform maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations as provided in Part 65 of this chapter.”

  “A person working under the supervision of a holder of a mechanic or repairman certificate may perform the maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations that his supervisor is authorized to perform, if the supervisor personally observes the work being done to the extent necessary to ensure that it is being done properly and if the supervisor is readily available, in person, for consultation. However, this paragraph does not authorize the performance of any inspection required by Part 91 or Part 125 of this chapter or any inspection performed after a major repair or alteration.”

  Source

  14 CFR 43.3 on eCFR, paragraphs (b) and (d), as of September 27, 2026

• Mechanic Privileges: 65.81

  Claim

  Generally, under 14 CFR 65.81, a certificated mechanic may perform or supervise maintenance, preventive maintenance or alteration within the ratings held, excluding major repairs and major alterations of propellers and any repair or alteration of instruments. Under 65.81(b), the mechanic may use those privileges only if he or she understands the current manufacturer instructions and maintenance manuals for the job.

  Proof

  “A certificated mechanic may perform or supervise the maintenance, preventive maintenance or alteration of an aircraft or appliance, or a part thereof, for which that person is rated (but excluding major repairs to, and major alterations of, propellers, and any repair to, or alteration of, instruments)”

  “(b) A certificated mechanic may not exercise the privileges of that person’s certificate and rating unless that person understands the current instructions of the manufacturer, and the maintenance manuals, for the specific operation concerned.”

  Source

  14 CFR 65.81 on eCFR, as of September 27, 2026

• Airframe Rating: 65.85

  Claim

  Generally, under 14 CFR 65.85(a), a mechanic with an airframe rating may approve an airframe, or a related part or appliance, for return to service after performing, supervising or inspecting its maintenance or alteration, excluding major repairs and major alterations.

  Proof

  “a certificated mechanic with an airframe rating may approve for return to service an airframe, or any related part or appliance, after that person has performed, supervised, or inspected its maintenance or alteration (excluding major repairs and major alterations).”

  Source

  14 CFR 65.85 on eCFR, as of September 27, 2026

• Powerplant Rating: 65.87

  Claim

  Generally, under 14 CFR 65.87(a), a mechanic with a powerplant rating may approve a powerplant or propeller, or a related part or appliance, for return to service after performing, supervising or inspecting its maintenance or alteration, excluding major repairs and major alterations. Paragraph (a) also lets that mechanic perform the 100 hour inspection required by Part 91 on a powerplant or propeller and approve it for return to service.

  Proof

  “a certificated mechanic with a powerplant rating may approve for return to service a powerplant or propeller or any related part or appliance, after that person has performed, supervised, or inspected its maintenance or alteration (excluding major repairs and major alterations).”

  Source

  14 CFR 65.87 on eCFR, as of September 27, 2026

• Inspection Authorization Eligibility: 65.91

  Claim

  Generally, under 14 CFR 65.91(c), an applicant for an inspection authorization holds a current mechanic certificate with both airframe and powerplant ratings, each in effect for a total of at least 3 years, plus the other items the paragraph lists.

  Proof

  “Hold a currently effective mechanic certificate with both an airframe rating and a powerplant rating, each of which is currently effective and has been in effect for a total of at least 3 years;”

  Source

  14 CFR 65.91 on eCFR, paragraph (c)(1), as of September 27, 2026

• Inspection Authorization Privileges: 65.95

  Claim

  Generally, under 14 CFR 65.95(a), an inspection authorization holder may inspect and approve for return to service after a major repair or major alteration done under technical data approved by the Administrator, and may perform an annual inspection, or perform or supervise a progressive inspection.

  Proof

  “(1) Inspect and approve for return to service any aircraft or related part or appliance … after a major repair or major alteration to it in accordance with part 43 … of this chapter, if the work was done in accordance with technical data approved by the Administrator; and (2) Perform an annual, or perform or supervise a progressive inspection according to §§ 43.13 and 43.15 of this chapter.”

  Source

  14 CFR 65.95 on eCFR, as of September 27, 2026

Doing The Work

• Methods And Data: 43.13

  Claim

  Generally, under 14 CFR 43.13(a), maintenance is done with the methods, techniques and practices in the current manufacturer’s maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness, or other methods acceptable to the Administrator.

  Proof

  “shall use the methods, techniques, and practices prescribed in the current manufacturer’s maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued Airworthiness prepared by its manufacturer, or other methods, techniques, and practices acceptable to the Administrator”

  Source

  14 CFR 43.13 on eCFR, paragraph (a), as of September 27, 2026

• Major Or Minor: Part 43 Appendix A

  Claim

  Generally, Part 43 Appendix A lists examples of major alterations and major repairs, and 14 CFR 1.1 defines the terms. For example, alterations of wings, tail surfaces and the other listed airframe parts, when not listed in the FAA aircraft specifications, are airframe major alterations. Read both, and ask your IA or FSDO when it is close.

  Proof

  “Alterations of the following parts and alterations of the following types, when not listed in the aircraft specifications issued by the FAA, are airframe major alterations: (i) Wings. (ii) Tail surfaces. (iii) Fuselage. (iv) Engine mounts. (v) Control system. (vi) Landing gear.”

  “Major alteration means an alteration not listed in the aircraft, aircraft engine, or propeller specifications— (1) That might appreciably affect weight, balance, structural strength, performance, powerplant operation, flight characteristics, or other qualities affecting airworthiness; or (2) That is not done according to accepted practices or cannot be done by elementary operations.”

  “Major repair means a repair: (1) That, if improperly done, might appreciably affect weight, balance, structural strength, performance, powerplant operation, flight characteristics, or other qualities affecting airworthiness; or (2) That is not done according to accepted practices or cannot be done by elementary operations.”

  Source

  14 CFR Part 43 Appendix A on eCFR, paragraph (a)(1), and 14 CFR 1.1 on eCFR (definitions), as of September 27, 2026

• Major Repair And Alteration Records: 43.9(d) And Appendix B

  Claim

  Generally, under 14 CFR 43.9(d), the person performing a major repair or major alteration records it on a form and handles that form the way Part 43 Appendix B says. Appendix B(a) covers filling out FAA Form 337 in at least 2 copies, giving the owner a signed copy, and sending a copy to the FAA within 48 hours after return to service.

  Proof

  “major repairs and major alterations shall be entered on a form, and the form disposed of, in the manner prescribed in appendix B, by the person performing the work.”

  “(1) Execute FAA Form 337 at least in duplicate; (2) Give a signed copy of that form to the aircraft owner; and (3) Forward a copy of that form to the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, within 48 hours after the aircraft, airframe, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance is approved for return to service.”

  Source

  14 CFR 43.9 on eCFR and Part 43 Appendix B on eCFR, as of September 27, 2026

• Where Part 43 Stops: 43.1(b)

  Claim

  Generally, under 14 CFR 43.1(b)(1), Part 43 does not apply to an aircraft with an experimental airworthiness certificate, unless the FAA previously issued a different kind of airworthiness certificate for that aircraft. For those aircraft, read the operating limitations.

  Proof

  “Any aircraft for which the FAA has issued an experimental airworthiness certificate, unless the FAA has previously issued a different kind of airworthiness certificate for that aircraft”

  Source

  14 CFR 43.1 on eCFR, paragraph (b)(1), as of September 27, 2026

Entries And Records

• Maintenance Entries: 43.9(a)

  Claim

  Generally, 14 CFR 43.9(a) lists what goes in a maintenance record entry. Read the paragraph itself, quoted here.

  Proof

  “(1) A description (or reference to data acceptable to the Administrator) of work performed. (2) The date of completion of the work performed. (3) The name of the person performing the work if other than the person specified in paragraph (a)(4) of this section. (4) If the work performed … has been performed satisfactorily, the signature, certificate number, and kind of certificate held by the person approving the work. The signature constitutes the approval for return to service only for the work performed.”

  Source

  14 CFR 43.9 on eCFR, paragraph (a), as of September 27, 2026

• Inspection Entries: 43.11(a)

  Claim

  Generally, under 14 CFR 43.11(a), an inspection entry includes the type and extent of the inspection, the date and aircraft total time in service, and the signature, certificate number and kind of certificate of the person approving or disapproving for return to service. Paragraph (b) covers the discrepancy list given to the owner.

  Proof

  “(1) The type of inspection and a brief description of the extent of the inspection. (2) The date of the inspection and aircraft total time in service. (3) The signature, the certificate number, and kind of certificate held by the person approving or disapproving for return to service”

  Source

  14 CFR 43.11 on eCFR, as of September 27, 2026

• AD Status Records: 91.417

  Claim

  Generally, under 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v), the records kept under that section include the current status of applicable ADs, with the method of compliance, AD number and revision date, and for recurring ADs, when the next action is required.

  Proof

  “(v) The current status of applicable airworthiness directives (AD) including, for each, the method of compliance, the AD number and revision date. If the AD involves recurring action, the time and date when the next action is required.”

  Source

  14 CFR 91.417 on eCFR, as of September 27, 2026

Owner And Inspections

• Who Is Primarily Responsible: 91.403

  Claim

  Generally, under 14 CFR 91.403(a), the owner or operator is primarily responsible for maintaining the aircraft in an airworthy condition, including compliance with Part 39.

  Proof

  “The owner or operator of an aircraft is primarily responsible for maintaining that aircraft in an airworthy condition, including compliance with part 39 of this chapter.”

  Source

  14 CFR 91.403 on eCFR, as of September 27, 2026

• The Annual: 91.409

  Claim

  Generally, under 14 CFR 91.409(a), an aircraft may not be operated unless, within the preceding 12 calendar months, it has had an annual inspection under Part 43 and has been approved for return to service by a person authorized by 43.7, or an inspection for issuing an airworthiness certificate under Part 21. Under 91.409(c)(1), paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply to an aircraft with a current experimental airworthiness certificate.

  Proof

  “(1) An annual inspection in accordance with part 43 of this chapter and has been approved for return to service by a person authorized by § 43.7 of this chapter; or (2) An inspection for the issuance of an airworthiness certificate in accordance with part 21 of this chapter.”

  “Paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section do not apply to … (1) An aircraft that carries … a current experimental airworthiness certificate”

  Source

  14 CFR 91.409 on eCFR, paragraphs (a) and (c), as of September 27, 2026

Talk to your FSDO or principal inspector about your specific situation.

Sources Verified

Each source was read on September 27, 2026. eCFR Title 14 text was pulled from the eCFR, up to date as of September 24, 2026. U.S. Government works, public domain.

• 14 CFR 1.1 (definitions)
• 14 CFR 43.1
• 14 CFR 43.3
• 14 CFR 43.9
• 14 CFR 43.11
• 14 CFR 43.13
• 14 CFR Part 43 Appendix A
• 14 CFR Part 43 Appendix B
• 14 CFR 65.81
• 14 CFR 65.85
• 14 CFR 65.87
• 14 CFR 65.91
• 14 CFR 65.95
• 14 CFR 91.403
• 14 CFR 91.409
• 14 CFR 91.417