Return to Service

FAR 43.5 — Return to Service

FAR 43.5 explains what's required before approving an aircraft for return to service after maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, or alteration.

In Plain English

FAR 43.5 sets the conditions that must be met before anyone can approve an aircraft, airframe, engine, propeller, or appliance for return to service after it has undergone maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, or alteration.

Before signing off, all of the following must happen:

The maintenance record entry required by §43.9 (maintenance) or §43.11 (inspections) has been made in the appropriate logbook.
Any repair or alteration form authorized or furnished by the FAA (such as FAA Form 337 for major repairs and major alterations) has been completed as prescribed.
If the repair or alteration changes the aircraft's operating limitations or flight data in the approved Aircraft Flight Manual, those items must be revised and presented as required by §91.9.

Why it matters: as pilot in command, you are responsible for ensuring the aircraft is airworthy. Knowing FAR 43.5 helps you confirm the proper paperwork is in the records before you fly an aircraft that has just come out of maintenance — especially after a major repair or alteration that may have changed how the airplane is operated or limited.

Regulation Text

14 CFR § 43.5

§ 43.5 Approval for return to service after maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, or alteration. No person may approve for return to service any aircraft, airframe, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance, that has undergone maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, or alteration unless— (a) The maintenance record entry required by § 43.9 or § 43.11, as appropriate, has been made; (b) The repair or alteration form authorized by or furnished by the Administrator has been executed in a manner prescribed by the Administrator; and (c) If a repair or an alteration results in any change in the aircraft operating limitations or flight data contained in the approved aircraft flight manual, those operating limitations or flight data are appropriately revised and set forth as prescribed in § 91.9 of this chapter. [Doc. No. 1993, 29 FR 5451, Apr. 23, 1964, as amended by Amdt. 43-23, 47 FR 41084, Sept. 16, 1982; Amdt. 43-31, 54 FR 34330, Aug. 18, 1989]

Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1What must be completed before an aircraft can be approved for return to service after maintenance or alteration?

Per FAR 43.5, the required maintenance record entry under §43.9 or §43.11 must be made, any FAA-authorized repair or alteration form (such as Form 337) must be executed as prescribed, and any changes to operating limitations or flight manual data must be appropriately revised.

Q2If a major alteration changes the airplane's operating limitations, what is required before return to service?

FAR 43.5(c) requires that the operating limitations or flight data in the approved Aircraft Flight Manual be appropriately revised and set forth as prescribed in §91.9 before the aircraft is approved for return to service.

Q3Where would you look to verify an aircraft has been properly returned to service after maintenance?

FAR 43.5 requires a maintenance record entry under §43.9 or §43.11, so I would check the airframe, engine, and propeller maintenance logbooks, and review any associated FAA repair or alteration forms such as Form 337.

Practice this with our AI examiner

Examiner Reed adapts to your responses and probes deeper on weak spots — full ACS coverage, not a script.

Studying for a checkride?

All Checkride Prep

Every FAA pilot rating

FAR Library

All 741 sections in plain English

Related Sections in Part 43

§ 43.1

Part 43 Applicability

§ 43.10

Life-Limited Parts Disposition