Operation after maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, or alteration

In plain English

After maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding or alteration, the aircraft may not be operated until it’s approved for return to service with the proper record entry. If the work could have appreciably changed flight characteristics, a qualified pilot must conduct an operational check flight before carrying passengers.

Key points

• No operation until approved for return to service and recorded.
• Required maintenance record entry must be made (and signed).
• Operational check flight needed if handling could be affected — then log it.

Common pitfalls

• Flying immediately after major work without the sign-off or check flight.

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