A commercial pilot owns a small airplane that is not used in any air carrier operation. The pilot wants to replace safety wire and service the landing gear struts without holding a mechanic certificate. According to 14 CFR Part 43, is the pilot permitted to perform this work?
- AYes, but only if the pilot also holds a repairman certificate
- BNo, preventive maintenance may only be performed by an airframe and powerplant mechanic with inspection authorization
- CYes, a pilot certificate holder may perform preventive maintenance on an aircraft they own or operate, provided it is not used under an air carrier certificate, and the work is properly logged
- DNo, only a certificated mechanic may perform any maintenance task
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Yes, a pilot certificate holder may perform preventive maintenance on an aircraft they own or operate, provided it is not used under an air carrier certificate, and the work is properly logged
14 CFR 43.3(g) and Part 43 Appendix A allow a pilot certificate holder to perform preventive maintenance on an aircraft they own or operate, as long as it is not used in air carrier service. The work performed and the pilot's certificate number must be entered in the maintenance records under 43.9.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A repairman certificate is unrelated to owner-performed preventive maintenance
- B. Inspection authorization is unrelated; preventive maintenance does not require IA
- D. This ignores the specific pilot preventive maintenance privilege in 43.3(g)
Pilot Preventive Maintenance (43.3(g))
A certificated pilot may perform preventive maintenance on an aircraft they own or operate, provided it is not used in air carrier service, with proper logbook entries.
- Applies to aircraft owned or operated by the pilot
- Not permitted on air-carrier-operated aircraft
- Preventive maintenance tasks listed in Part 43 Appendix A
Memory trick: 'My plane, my wire' — owners may do simple preventive tasks.