Rebuilt engine maintenance records

This regulation allows an engine that has been rebuilt by the manufacturer or an approved agency to start with a fresh maintenance record showing zero time—essentially treating it as equivalent to a new engine for recordkeeping purposes.

To qualify as "rebuilt," the engine must be completely disassembled, inspected, repaired, reassembled, and tested to the same standards as a new engine. All parts must meet new-part tolerances or approved oversized/undersized specifications.

When granting zero time, the rebuilder must document in the new record:

• The rebuild date with a signed statement
• All airworthiness directive compliance
• Any manufacturer service bulletin compliance (if the bulletin specifically requests documentation)

This matters because it allows you to reset the engine's time-in-service clock after a proper rebuild, which can significantly affect maintenance schedules, resale value, and regulatory compliance. However, only manufacturer or manufacturer-approved rebuilds qualify—not just any overhaul.

*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.*