Avionics News April 2014 - 17

FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
United States
Signing off Maintenance
The following information is from the Federal Aviation
Regulations (Parts 43 and 145).

QUESTION:

Does the maintenance entry require two signatures when the technician who performed the work
is different than the technician who performed the
return to service?

ANSWER:

For those in the avionics industry, the answer is
generally no, although there are times where a second signature might still be required.
Explanation:
§ 43.9 Content, form, and disposition of
maintenance, preventive maintenance,
rebuilding and alteration records (except
inspections performed in accordance with
Part 91, Part 125, § 135.411(a)(1), and §
135.419 of this chapter).
(a) Maintenance record entries. Except as
provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, each person who maintains, performs
preventive maintenance, rebuilds or alters an
aircraft, airframe, aircraft engine, propeller,
appliance or component part shall make an
entry in the maintenance record of that equipment containing the following information:
(1) A description (or reference to data acceptable to the administrator) of work performed.
(2) The date of completion of the work performed.
(3) The name of the person performing the
work if other than the person specified in
paragraph (a)(4) of this section.

(4) If the work performed on the aircraft,
airframe, aircraft engine, propeller, appliance
or component part has been performed satisfactorily, the signature, certificate number
and kind of certificate held by the person
approving the work. The signature constitutes the approval for return to service only
for the work performed.
In a quick review, paragraph 43.9(a)(3) requires
the name of the person performing the work if other
than the person performing the return to service.
And then, paragraph 43.9 (a)(4) requires the signature of the person performing the return to service.
This seems on the surface to require two signatures;
however, you must go back to sections 43.3 and
43.7. Section 43.3 defines who may "perform"
maintenance, and section 43.7 defines who may
approve for return to service.
§ 43.3 (e) The holder of a repair station certificate may perform maintenance, preventive maintenance and alterations as provided
in Part 145 of this chapter.
§ 43.7 (c) The holder of a repair station certificate may approve an aircraft, airframe,
aircraft engine, propeller, appliance or component part for return to service as provided
in Part 145 of this chapter.
So in this case, where the majority of avionics
shops hold a repair station certificate (and all the
AEA regular member companies do hold a repair
station certificate or the equivalent), the person
performing the work, as well as the one performing
the return to service, is actually the same "person"
- the repair station.
Note: The AEA offers "Frequently Asked Questions" to foster
greater understanding of the aviation regulations and the rules
governing the industry. The AEA strives to ensure FAQs are as
accurate as possible at the time of publication; however, rules
change. Therefore information received from an AEA FAQ should
be verified before being relied upon. This information is not meant
to serve as legal advice. If you have particular legal questions, they
should be directed to an attorney. The AEA disclaims any warranty
for the accuracy of the information provided.
Continued on following page

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Avionics News April 2014

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