Authority to perform and approve maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations

This regulation governs who can perform and approve maintenance work on aircraft operated under Part 135 (commuter and on-demand operations).

A Part 135 certificate holder can perform maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations on its own aircraft following procedures in its maintenance manual. It can also contract this work to other qualified persons or even perform maintenance for another Part 135 operator if authorized by that operator's maintenance manual.

The certificate holder can also approve aircraft, engines, propellers, rotors, or appliances for return to service after this maintenance work is completed. However, there's an important limitation: for major repairs or alterations, the work must be done using technical data that the FAA has approved.

This regulation essentially establishes the certificate holder's authority to manage its maintenance program while ensuring major work meets FAA-approved standards before aircraft return to service.

*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.*