Part 43 and It's Managerial Implications When we talk about aviation
maintenance, we speak of repairs, alterations and the act of preserving an
aircraft in its original airworthy condition. An airworthiness certificate is
given to an aircraft after countless hours of design, research and testing. And
in order to keep this certificate valid; an aircraft must be maintained in
accordance with a certain specification. These specifications are brought to us
by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The Federal Aviation Regulation part that spells out these rules is found in
part 43. These acts are performed to prevent harm to pilots, passengers, and
even innocent bystander that may become involved in an incident due to improper
maintenance. As maintenance managers, we must understand these implications that
must be followed, so that we may ensure that our facility is performing to the
standards set upon us by the FAA. The Federal Aviation Act of 1958 allowed for
the regulation of air commerce in such manner as to best promote its development
and safety (Adamski and Doyle 4-8).
This brought about a rulemaking process to insure that all aspects of
aviation could be regulated in a way as to provide maximum safety to all. This
was the initial birth of 14 CFR 43, or Part 43 of the FAR's which is ironically
titled Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alteration (Federal
Aviation Regulations [FAR], VII, 1997). This part has been primarily written for
individuals or repair facilities that may be performing some sort of
maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding and or alterations.
It refers to a number of qualified individuals that include holders of
mechanic, repairman, air carrier, or even a pilot's certificate, that may
perform an array of the procedures listed in this part. So when it comes down to
it, we as maintenance managers must know and live by FAR prt. 43 in order for
our employees to work and perform in a legal and safe manor.
As the title implies, this part of the Federal Aviation Regulations
prescribes rules of governing the maintenance, preventive maintenance,
rebuilding, and alteration of any aircraft having a U.S. airworthiness
certificate; any foreign-registered aircraft used to carry mail under pt.121,
127 or 135; and airframe, aircraft engines, propellers, appliances, and
components of such aircraft.
This is exclusive of aircraft holding an experimental airworthiness
certificate, unless the aircraft was previously issued a different kind of
certificate (FAR, 1998, p.11). So if we were working as a manager in the U.S.,
this part would definitely apply to our facility, which repairs and maintains
aircraft found in this category. Part 43 also identifies persons that are
authorized to perform and return an aircraft, airframe, aircraft engines,
propellers, appliances, or component parts for return to service after
maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, or alteration.
