Certificate requirements

This regulation establishes who must hold FAA certificates when performing maintenance work under Part 135 operations.

Anyone directly in charge of maintenance, preventive maintenance, alterations, or required inspections must hold an appropriate airman certificate (typically an A&P mechanic certificate). The same applies to anyone actually performing required inspections. The one exception is for work done at certificated repair stations located outside the United States.

A person "directly in charge" means someone responsible for overseeing a shop or station's maintenance work that affects airworthiness. This supervisor doesn't need to constantly watch every worker, but must be available to provide guidance and make decisions when workers need higher-level instruction or authority.

In practice, this means Part 135 operators must ensure their maintenance supervisors and inspection personnel hold proper FAA certificates. It establishes accountability by requiring certificated oversight of all maintenance affecting aircraft safety.

*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.*