[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 14, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 14CFR43.15]

[Page 894]
 
                     TITLE 14--AERONAUTICS AND SPACE
 
CHAPTER I--FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 43_MAINTENANCE, PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE, REBUILDING, AND 
ALTERATION--Table of Contents
 
Sec.  43.15  Additional performance rules for inspections.

    (a) General. Each person performing an inspection required by part 
91, 125, or 135 of this chapter, shall--
    (1) Perform the inspection so as to determine whether the aircraft, 
or portion(s) thereof under inspection, meets all applicable 
airworthiness requirements; and
    (2) If the inspection is one provided for in part 125, 135, or Sec.  
91.409(e) of this chapter, perform the inspection in accordance with the 
instructions and procedures set forth in the inspection program for the 
aircraft being inspected.
    (b) Rotorcraft. Each person performing an inspection required by 
Part 91 on a rotorcraft shall inspect the following systems in 
accordance with the maintenance manual or Instructions for Continued 
Airworthiness of the manufacturer concerned:
    (1) The drive shafts or similar systems.
    (2) The main rotor transmission gear box for obvious defects.
    (3) The main rotor and center section (or the equivalent area).
    (4) The auxiliary rotor on helicopters.
    (c) Annual and 100-hour inspections. (1) Each person performing an 
annual or 100-hour inspection shall use a checklist while performing the 
inspection. The checklist may be of the person's own design, one 
provided by the manufacturer of the equipment being inspected or one 
obtained from another source. This checklist must include the scope and 
detail of the items contained in appendix D to this part and paragraph 
(b) of this section.
    (2) Each person approving a reciprocating-engine-powered aircraft 
for return to service after an annual or 100-hour inspection shall, 
before that approval, run the aircraft engine or engines to determine 
satisfactory performance in accordance with the manufacturer's 
recommendations of--
    (i) Power output (static and idle r.p.m.);
    (ii) Magnetos;
    (iii) Fuel and oil pressure; and
    (iv) Cylinder and oil temperature.
    (3) Each person approving a turbine-engine-powered aircraft for 
return to service after an annual, 100-hour, or progressive inspection 
shall, before that approval, run the aircraft engine or engines to 
determine satisfactory performance in accordance with the manufacturer's 
recommendations.
    (d) Progressive inspection. (1) Each person performing a progressive 
inspection shall, at the start of a progressive inspection system, 
inspect the aircraft completely. After this initial inspection, routine 
and detailed inspections must be conducted as prescribed in the 
progressive inspection schedule. Routine inspections consist of visual 
examination or check of the appliances, the aircraft, and its components 
and systems, insofar as practicable without disassembly. Detailed 
inspections consist of a thorough examination of the appliances, the 
aircraft, and its components and systems, with such disassembly as is 
necessary. For the purposes of this subparagraph, the overhaul of a 
component or system is considered to be a detailed inspection.
    (2) If the aircraft is away from the station where inspections are 
normally conducted, an appropriately rated mechanic, a certificated 
repair station, or the manufacturer of the aircraft may perform 
inspections in accordance with the procedures and using the forms of the 
person who would otherwise perform the inspection.

[Doc. No. 1993, 29 FR 5451, Apr. 23, 1964, as amended by Amdt. 43-23, 47 
FR 41086, Sept. 16, 1982; Amdt. 43-25, 51 FR 40702, Nov. 7, 1986; Amdt. 
43-31, 54 FR 34330, Aug. 18, 1989; 71 FR 44188, Aug. 4, 2006]

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