Transfer of maintenance records

When a Part 135 operator sells a U.S.-registered aircraft, they must transfer specific maintenance records to the buyer at the time of sale. These records can be in plain language or coded format, as long as the information can be preserved and retrieved in a way the FAA accepts.

The seller must transfer:

• Records of current inspection status and times/cycles on life-limited parts (referenced in §135.439(a)(2))
• Records of maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations, plus the current status of applicable ADs (referenced in §135.439(a)(1))

For the second category, the buyer may allow the seller to physically keep the records, but this doesn't eliminate the buyer's responsibility to make them available for FAA or NTSB inspection. This ensures continuity of the aircraft's maintenance history even when ownership changes, which is essential for continued airworthiness and regulatory compliance.

*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.*