FAR 91.415 — Inspection Program Changes
FAR 91.415 explains how the FAA requires changes to approved aircraft inspection programs, plus how owners can petition for reconsideration within 30 days.
In Plain English
FAR 91.415 governs how an approved aircraft inspection program (the kind used under § 91.409(f)(4) for large/turbine aircraft or § 91.1109 for fractional ownership programs) gets revised when the FAA decides changes are needed.
Here's how it works:
- If the Administrator determines revisions are necessary to keep the inspection program adequate, the owner or operator must make those changes after receiving notification.
- The owner or operator has the right to petition for reconsideration if they disagree with the required changes.
- The petition must be filed with the Executive Director, Flight Standards Service within 30 days after receiving the notice.
- Filing the petition stays (pauses) the notice until the Administrator decides — unless it's an emergency requiring immediate action for safety.
Why it matters: this rule keeps inspection programs current with evolving safety data while giving operators due-process rights to challenge mandates they believe are unwarranted.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.415§ 91.415 Changes to aircraft inspection programs.
(a) Whenever the Administrator finds that revisions to an approved aircraft inspection program under § 91.409(f)(4) or § 91.1109 are necessary for the continued adequacy of the program, the owner or operator must, after notification by the Administrator, make any changes in the program found to be necessary by the Administrator.
(b) The owner or operator may petition the Administrator to reconsider the notice to make any changes in a program in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) The petition must be filed with the Executive Director, Flight Standards Service within 30 days after the certificate holder or fractional ownership program manager receives the notice.
(d) Except in the case of an emergency requiring immediate action in the interest of safety, the filing of the petition stays the notice pending a decision by the Administrator.
[Docket 18334, 54 FR 34311, Aug. 18, 1989, as amended by Amdt. 91-280, 68 FR 54560, Sept. 17, 2003; Docket FAA-2018-0119, Amdt. 91-350, 83 FR 9171, Mar. 5, 2018]
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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1If the FAA decides your approved aircraft inspection program needs revisions, what are you required to do?
Per FAR 91.415(a), once notified by the Administrator, the owner or operator must make any changes the Administrator finds necessary to keep the program adequate.
Q2Can you challenge an FAA-required change to your inspection program, and if so, how?
Yes. FAR 91.415(b) and (c) allow the owner or operator to petition the Executive Director, Flight Standards Service for reconsideration, and the petition must be filed within 30 days of receiving the notice.
Q3Does filing a petition for reconsideration delay the required changes?
Generally yes — under FAR 91.415(d), filing the petition stays the notice pending the Administrator's decision, except in emergencies requiring immediate action in the interest of safety.
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