Who may perform preventative maintenance on an aircraft and approve it for service?

• A. Private or Commercial pilot
• B. Aircraft owner
• C. FAA inspector
• D. Aircraft mechanic

Answer: (A)

Preventive maintenance is the simple, routine work needed to keep an aircraft in safe operating condition, without involving major alterations or overhaul. The person authorized to perform this work and approve the aircraft for return to service is the aircraft’s owner or operator—the person who flies and controls the aircraft. In practice, that’s usually the pilot who owns and operates the airplane: they can carry out the routine tasks (like replacing a bulb, tire, or other simple items) and sign the logbook to certify that the aircraft is airworthy again.

An FAA inspector’s job is to evaluate airworthiness and compliance, not to perform everyday preventive maintenance. A certificated aircraft mechanic can perform maintenance, but the key point tested here is the authority of the owner/operator, which often translates to the pilot-owner performing and approving the preventive maintenance.