What you can do per 14 CFR

What Aircraft Owners Can Do Under 14 CFR – And How FlightWorthy Makes It Easy

As the owner of a general aviation aircraft, your responsibility under FAA regulations doesn’t stop after the preflight checklist. According to Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), you are legally responsible for maintaining your aircraft in an airworthy condition—and that includes knowing what maintenance and alterations you’re allowed to perform.

At FlightWorthy, our mission is to simplify that responsibility. Here’s what 14 CFR says you can do, what you can’t, and how FlightWorthy helps you stay on the right side of compliance—while reducing stress and improving safety.

🏛️ What Is 14 CFR?

14 CFR is the body of federal law that governs civil aviation in the U.S. It covers everything from aircraft certification and operations to maintenance and pilot licensing. For aircraft owners, the most relevant sections are:

Part 43 – Maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations

Part 91 – General operating and flight rules

Part 61 – Certification of pilots

Understanding your role under these parts is critical to staying legal and safe.

✋ What You're Allowed to Do as an Owner

If you are a private pilot who owns and operates your aircraft, 14 CFR Part 43, Appendix A(c) allows you to perform preventive maintenance—as long as the aircraft is not used for commercial operations.

Some of the tasks you’re authorized to do include:

Changing engine oil and filters

Replacing spark plugs and tires

Servicing batteries (if like-for-like)

Cleaning or replacing fuel and air filters

Lubricating hinges and control surfaces

Replacing safety wire or cotter pins

💡 FlightWorthy Tip: Use your FlightWorthy dashboard to schedule and track these items automatically. We even generate log entries and alert you when a task goes overdue.

🛑 What You Can't Do

There’s a clear line between preventive maintenance and major work. Owners are not allowed to:

Perform major repairs or alterations (e.g., structural mods, engine overhauls)

Modify electrical systems or avionics without approval

Install non-approved parts or upgrades (e.g., batteries without an STC)

Skip FAA-required documentation

For example, installing an Odyssey battery in your Piper PA-28 would likely require either an STC or field approval. FlightWorthy links your aircraft profile to current STCs and helps you determine when mechanic involvement is needed.

📒 Documentation Is Not Optional

Even for owner-performed preventive maintenance, 14 CFR 43.9 requires a detailed logbook entry. That entry must include:

Description of the task

Date performed

Aircraft total time

Your name and signature

🧾 With FlightWorthy, you’ll never miss a required entry. Our smart logbook assistant captures each maintenance event and formats it to meet FAA requirements. Entries are stored securely and shared with your mechanic or IA when needed.

While we strive to save costs by doing what we can ourselves, steer away from shopping and swapping A&Ps. Brief your A&P on the work you have done. Collaborate with all parties when working with multiple A&Ps.

There are several FARs and FAA guidance documents emphasize the importance of continuity, traceability, accountability, and proper sign-offs, which can be disrupted by swapping A&Ps mid-project — especially if it's done solely to reduce cost.

Here is the regulatory argument using relevant FARs and FAA guidance:

🔹 1. 14 CFR § 43.9 - Maintenance Record Entries

“The person performing the work shall make an entry in the maintenance record of that equipment…”

• Implication: Only the individual who performs or supervises the work can sign it off.

• Changing A&Ps during a job can make it unclear who performed what, possibly leading to incomplete or invalid entries.

• Without continuous oversight, work done may be untraceable, undermining airworthiness.

🔹 2. 14 CFR § 43.13(a) - Performance Rules (General)

“Each person performing maintenance... shall use the methods, techniques, and practices prescribed in the current manufacturer's maintenance manual…”

• Continuity ensures these practices are applied consistently.

• A change in personnel risks interpretation inconsistency, introducing errors or missed steps in installation or inspection.

🔹 3. 14 CFR § 91.403 - Responsibility for Airworthiness

“The owner or operator is primarily responsible for maintaining that aircraft in an airworthy condition...”

• If the owner swaps A&Ps to save money, and it results in airworthiness issues, the owner bears the liability.

• Changing A&Ps can break the chain of accountability, leading to safety and legal exposure.

🔹 4. FAA Order 8900.1, Vol 6, Ch 1, Sec 4 – Maintenance Surveillance

The FAA expects maintenance providers and mechanics to “...ensure proper sequencing and continuity of maintenance tasks...”

• While directed at FAA inspectors, this guidance supports the principle that maintenance should be coherent and traceable, not piecemeal.

🔹 5. FAA Advisory Circular AC 43-9C – Maintenance Records

“Log entries must accurately reflect the work accomplished and must be traceable to the person(s) performing the work.”

• Traceability is compromised if an owner plays musical chairs with A&Ps during critical repairs or installations.

  
  

✅ Owner-A&P best practise:

“To ensure continuity, traceability, and compliance with 14 CFR § 43.9, § 43.13, and § 91.403, FlightWorthy recommends that once a maintenance task or installation project is initiated under the supervision of a certificated mechanic, it should be completed by that same mechanic or under their oversight. Changing A&Ps mid-task may compromise the accuracy of maintenance records and could expose the owner to compliance or safety issues.”

🔄 FlightWorthy Keeps You in Control

Here’s how FlightWorthy helps owner-operators stay compliant, efficient, and stress-free:

✅ Automated Task Tracking – Know what you can do and when

✅ Discrepancy List Management – Track squawks and approve work before it’s done

✅ STC + AD Monitoring – Get alerts tied to your aircraft’s type and serial

✅ Logbook-Ready Documentation – Auto-generate FAA-compliant entries

✅ A&P Collaboration – Easily share your aircraft’s records with your mechanic

✈️ Final Thought: You Are the First Line of Airworthiness

Under 14 CFR 91.403, the aircraft owner—not the mechanic—is ultimately responsible for ensuring the aircraft remains airworthy. That makes you the most important safety manager in your hangar.

FlightWorthy exists to make that job easier.

We believe that when aircraft owners are informed and empowered, aviation becomes safer, more transparent, and more enjoyable.

🔗 Explore how FlightWorthy supports smart ownership:

Visit FlyFlightWorthy.com and see how our platform helps you stay ahead of every maintenance item, FAA requirement, and logbook entry—effortlessly.