Which regulation allows a private pilot to perform preventative maintenance?

• A. 14 CFR part 47.3
• B. 14 CFR part 43
• C. 14 CFR part 91
• D. 14 CFR part 65

Answer: (A)

Preventive maintenance is addressed in 14 CFR Part 43, which covers maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, and alterations and specifies who may perform these tasks. A private pilot may perform preventive maintenance on an aircraft that the pilot owns or operates, as long as the work is the simple, routine tasks defined as preventive maintenance and the aircraft is returned to service after the work. After completing preventive maintenance, the work must be documented in the maintenance records as required by Part 43. The other parts don’t grant this privilege: Part 47 deals with registration and marking, Part 65 covers certification of mechanics and repairmen, and Part 91 contains general operating rules. So, the regulation that allows a private pilot to perform preventive maintenance is 14 CFR Part 43.