ASI Aircraft Operations & Maintenance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An aircraft alteration is classified as a 'major alteration' under FAR Part 43 Appendix A. What approval is required before returning the aircraft to service?
- Approval from the aircraft owner only
- FAA Form 337 approval by an FAA-authorized inspector or designated airworthiness representative (DAR) (Correct answer)
- A logbook sign-off by any A&P mechanic
- Verbal approval from the local FSDO
Correct answer: FAA Form 337 approval by an FAA-authorized inspector or designated airworthiness representative (DAR)
Major alterations require FAA Form 337 approval from an authorized FAA representative or DAR before return to service.
Question 2: During an en-route inspection of a Part 135 operator, an ASI finds that required crew rest requirements were not met for the previous flight. This is a violation of which regulation?
- FAR 135.267 (Correct answer)
- FAR 135.293
- FAR 91.111
- FAR 61.57
Correct answer: FAR 135.267
FAR 135.267 governs flight time and rest requirements for flight crewmembers operating under Part 135.
Question 3: A mechanic performs a repair using a technique not specified in the manufacturer's AMM. Under FAR 43, this repair may still be acceptable if it conforms to which standard?
- Any technique approved by the aircraft owner
- FAA Advisory Circulars, industry standard practice, or other FAA-accepted data (Correct answer)
- Standards set by the Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC)
- Procedures used at any FAA-certificated repair station
Correct answer: FAA Advisory Circulars, industry standard practice, or other FAA-accepted data
FAR 43.13 permits repairs using FAA-accepted data such as Advisory Circulars or other approved technical data when AMM data is not available.
Question 4: What is the maximum weight of an aircraft for which a certificated pilot may perform preventive maintenance under FAR 43.3(g)?
- Any aircraft the pilot is rated to fly
- Aircraft not used in air carrier service, with no maximum weight restriction by rating
- Aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 lbs or less, not used in air carrier service (Correct answer)
- Aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 6,000 lbs or less
Correct answer: Aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 lbs or less, not used in air carrier service
FAR 43.3(g) allows certificated pilots to perform preventive maintenance on aircraft they own or operate, provided the aircraft is not used in air carrier service and weighs 12,500 lbs MTOW or less.
Question 5: An ASI discovers an aircraft has been operated with an expired annual inspection. Under FAR 91.409, what is the consequence?
- The aircraft is considered unairworthy and the operator may face certificate action (Correct answer)
- The pilot must obtain a ferry permit within 30 days
- The aircraft reverts to experimental category automatically
- The mechanic who last signed off the aircraft is solely liable
Correct answer: The aircraft is considered unairworthy and the operator may face certificate action
Operating with an expired annual inspection renders the aircraft unairworthy, and the operator is subject to civil penalty and certificate action under FAR 91.409.
Question 6: A turbine-powered aircraft operated under Part 91 is required to have a transponder inspection completed within what timeframe?
- Every 12 calendar months
- Every 24 calendar months (Correct answer)
- Every 100 flight hours
- Every 6 calendar months
Correct answer: Every 24 calendar months
FAR 91.413 requires transponder tests and inspections to be completed within the preceding 24 calendar months.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes a 'return to service' entry under FAR 43.9?
- A note in the pilot's logbook confirming the flight was uneventful
- A maintenance record entry including description of work, date, name, certificate number, and a statement the work was done in accordance with FAR 43 (Correct answer)
- An email from the repair station to the aircraft owner
- An entry signed by the aircraft owner acknowledging the work was completed
Correct answer: A maintenance record entry including description of work, date, name, certificate number, and a statement the work was done in accordance with FAR 43
FAR 43.9 requires a return-to-service entry with work description, date, identity of the person, their certificate number, and a conformity statement.
ASI Aircraft Operations & Maintenance 3
An aircraft alteration is classified as a 'major alteration' under FAR Part 43 Appendix A.
What approval is required before returning the aircraft to service?