FAR 91.1109 — Inspection Program
FAR 91.1109 requires fractional program managers to establish a written aircraft inspection program for each make and model. Learn what it must include.
In Plain English
FAR 91.1109 applies to fractional ownership program managers operating under Subpart K. It requires the program manager to set up a written aircraft inspection program for every make and model of program aircraft, and to make sure each aircraft is actually inspected under that program.
The written program must include at minimum:
- Detailed inspection instructions and procedures — including tests and checks for the airframe, engines, propellers, rotors, appliances, and survival/emergency equipment.
- A schedule for performing inspections, based on time in service, calendar time, number of system operations, or any combination.
- The name and address of the person responsible for scheduling inspections. A copy must be available to the inspector and to the FAA on request.
The program must be approved by the Flight Standards office that issued the program manager's management specifications, and it must be derived from a manufacturer-recommended program, a Part 121/135 continuous airworthiness program, an approved Part 135 or Part 125 inspection program, or the program manager's own continuous airworthiness program under §§ 91.1411–91.1443. The FAA can require revisions under § 91.415. This matters because it ensures fractional aircraft meet a uniform, traceable maintenance standard across a shared fleet.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.1109§ 91.1109 Aircraft maintenance: Inspection program.
Each program manager must establish an aircraft inspection program for each make and model program aircraft and ensure each aircraft is inspected in accordance with that inspection program.
(a) The inspection program must be in writing and include at least the following information:
(1) Instructions and procedures for the conduct of inspections for the particular make and model aircraft, including necessary tests and checks. The instructions and procedures must set forth in detail the parts and areas of the airframe, engines, propellers, rotors, and appliances, including survival and emergency equipment required to be inspected.
(2) A schedule for performing the inspections that must be accomplished under the inspection program expressed in terms of the time in service, calendar time, number of system operations, or any combination thereof.
(3) The name and address of the person responsible for scheduling the inspections required by the inspection program. A copy of the inspection program must be made available to the person performing inspections on the aircraft and, upon request, to the Administrator.
(b) Each person desiring to establish or change an approved inspection program under this section must submit the inspection program for approval to the Flight Standards office that issued the program manager's management specifications. The inspection program must be derived from one of the following programs:
(1) An inspection program currently recommended by the manufacturer of the aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, appliances, and survival and emergency equipment;
(2) An inspection program that is part of a continuous airworthiness maintenance program currently in use by a person holding an air carrier or operating certificate issued under part 119 of this chapter and operating that make and model aircraft under part 121 or 135 of this chapter;
(3) An aircraft inspection program approved under § 135.419 of this chapter and currently in use under part 135 of this chapter by a person holding a certificate issued under part 119 of this chapter; or
(4) An airplane inspection program approved under § 125.247 of this chapter and currently in use under part 125 of this chapter.
(5) An inspection program that is part of the program manager's continuous airworthiness maintenance program under §§ 91.1411 through 91.1443.
(c) The Administrator may require revision of the inspection program approved under this section in accordance with the provisions of § 91.415.
[Docket FAA-2001-10047, 68 FR 54561, Sept. 17, 2003, as amended by Docket FAA-2018-0119, Amdt. 91-350, 83 FR 9171, Mar. 5, 2018]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1Under Subpart K, who is responsible for establishing the aircraft inspection program, and what form must it take?
Per FAR 91.1109, the program manager must establish a written inspection program for each make and model of program aircraft and ensure each aircraft is inspected in accordance with that program.
Q2What three pieces of information must the written inspection program contain?
FAR 91.1109(a) requires detailed inspection instructions and procedures for the airframe, engines, propellers, rotors, and appliances (including emergency equipment); a schedule expressed in time in service, calendar time, system operations, or a combination; and the name and address of the person responsible for scheduling inspections.
Q3From what sources may a Subpart K inspection program be derived, and who approves it?
Under FAR 91.1109(b), the program must be approved by the Flight Standards office that issued the management specifications and may be derived from a manufacturer's recommended program, a Part 121/135 continuous airworthiness program, an inspection program approved under § 135.419 or § 125.247, or the program manager's own continuous airworthiness program under §§ 91.1411 through 91.1443.
Studying for a checkride?
Related Sections in Part 91