Continuing analysis and surveillance

This regulation requires Part 135 operators to establish a system that continuously monitors how well their maintenance and inspection programs are working and fixes any problems found. This applies whether the operator does the maintenance themselves or contracts it out.

The system must analyze and track:

• The performance and effectiveness of inspection programs
• Other maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations
• Any deficiencies that need correction

If the FAA determines your monitoring system lacks adequate procedures or standards, you must make the changes the FAA requests. You can petition the FAA to reconsider within 30 days of receiving such a notice, and filing the petition pauses the requirement unless there's a safety emergency.

In practice, this means operators can't just have maintenance programs on paper—they must actively verify these programs are working as intended and continuously improve them based on real-world results.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*