IA Special Airworthiness Certificates & Major Alterations 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a major alteration as defined in 14 CFR Part 1?
- Any alteration costing more than $1,000 in parts and labor
- An alteration not listed in the aircraft, engine, or propeller specifications that might appreciably affect structural strength, flight characteristics, or other airworthiness qualities (Correct answer)
- Any change to avionics or instrumentation
- Any repair requiring the use of FAA-designated engineering representatives
Correct answer: An alteration not listed in the aircraft, engine, or propeller specifications that might appreciably affect structural strength, flight characteristics, or other airworthiness qualities
A major alteration is defined as one not in the type design specs that might significantly affect structural strength, weight, balance, flight characteristics, or airworthiness.
Question 2: Who may approve a major alteration for return to service?
- Any certificated A&P mechanic
- A certificated IA, a certificated repair station, or an FAA inspector (Correct answer)
- Only an FAA Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR)
- Only a DER who approved the alteration data
Correct answer: A certificated IA, a certificated repair station, or an FAA inspector
Major alterations may be approved for return to service by an IA, a certificated repair station rated for the work, or an FAA airworthiness inspector.
Question 3: What FAA form is used to record a major repair or major alteration performed on an aircraft?
- FAA Form 337 (Major Repair and Alteration) (Correct answer)
- FAA Form 8050-1 (Aircraft Registration)
- FAA Form 8130-3 (Airworthiness Approval Tag)
- FAA Form 8060-4 (Temporary Airman Certificate)
Correct answer: FAA Form 337 (Major Repair and Alteration)
FAA Form 337 is the standard form used to record and document major repairs and major alterations, and a copy must be kept in the aircraft records.
Question 4: When does an IA forward a copy of FAA Form 337 to the FAA?
- Never; the IA keeps all copies in the aircraft records
- Within 48 hours of completing the work
- Within 90 days after the aircraft is approved for return to service, sent to the responsible FSDO (Correct answer)
- Only when directed to do so by the aircraft owner
Correct answer: Within 90 days after the aircraft is approved for return to service, sent to the responsible FSDO
14 CFR 43.9 requires the IA to forward one copy of Form 337 to the FAA within 90 days after the aircraft is returned to service.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)?
- To allow a certificated aircraft to fly beyond its original gross weight limit
- To provide FAA approval for a specific alteration to a specific type of aircraft (Correct answer)
- To extend the service life of an aircraft beyond its design lifespan
- To certify that replacement parts meet the original type design specifications
Correct answer: To provide FAA approval for a specific alteration to a specific type of aircraft
An STC is an FAA-issued approval that allows a specific modification to be made to a specific aircraft type, providing the basis for an approved alteration.
Question 6: What must an IA verify before approving a major alteration performed using an STC?
- That the STC holder has FAA Diamond Award recognition
- That the STC is applicable to the specific aircraft make, model, and serial number, and that the installation was performed per the STC data (Correct answer)
- That the STC was approved within the last 10 years
- That the STC has been reviewed and endorsed by the local FSDO
Correct answer: That the STC is applicable to the specific aircraft make, model, and serial number, and that the installation was performed per the STC data
The IA must confirm that the STC applies to the exact aircraft (often by checking the STC's applicability list) and that all installation instructions in the STC data were followed.
IA Special Airworthiness Certificates & Major Alterations 1
What is a major alteration as defined in 14 CFR Part 1?