2.2 Aviation Mechanic Privileges, Limitations & Recent Experience

2.2 Aviation Mechanic Privileges, Limitations & Recent Experience

Title 14 CFR Part 65 Subpart D governs the certification and privileges of aviation mechanics. An Airframe and Powerplant certificate is not an unrestricted license to work on any aircraft component; rather, it is a set of legal privileges bounded by strict statutory limitations regarding prior experience, tooling, rating scope, and inspection authority.

---

1. General Privileges and Limitations (§ 65.81)

Section 65.81 outlines the universal operating parameters for all certificated mechanics:

The "Satisfactorily Performed Previously" Rule

A certificated mechanic may perform maintenance, preventive maintenance, or alterations on an aircraft or appliance for which they are rated. However, a mechanic may NOT supervise the maintenance, preventive maintenance, or alteration of, or approve and return to service, any aircraft or appliance unless they have:

1. Satisfactorily performed the work at an earlier date, OR
2. Shown that they understand the current techniques, procedures, and practices involved by performing the work under the direct supervision of a certificated mechanic or repairman who has had previous experience in that specific operation.

Facilities, Tools, and Technical Data Requirement (§ 65.81(b))

A certificated mechanic may not exercise the privileges of their certificate unless they understand the current manufacturer's instructions. In addition, the mechanic must have available:

• Equipment, tools, and test apparatus necessary to perform the work in accordance with accepted industry practices.
• Current maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and Airworthiness Directives.
• Any special equipment or test apparatus recommended by the manufacturer or an equivalent approved by the Administrator.

                      MECHANIC AUTHORIZATION HIERARCHY
  ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
  │                       INSPECTION AUTHORIZATION (IA)                    │
  │  • Annual Inspections (§ 65.95)                                        │
  │  • Progressive Inspections (§ 65.95)                                   │
  │  • Return to Service: Major Repairs & Major Alterations (§ 65.95)      │
  └───────────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────────┘
                                      │
  ┌───────────────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────────────┐
  │                  A&P MECHANIC (Airframe & Powerplant)                  │
  │  • Maintenance, Preventive Maint., Alterations (§ 65.81)               │
  │  • 100-Hour Inspections on Airframe & Powerplant (§ 65.85 / § 65.87)   │
  │  • Return to Service: Minor Repairs & Minor Alterations (§ 43.7)       │
  │  • Supervise uncertificated personnel (§ 65.81)                        │
  └───────────────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────────────┘
                                      │
  ┌───────────────────────────────────┴────────────────────────────────────┐
  │                       STRICT STATUTORY PROHIBITIONS                    │
  │  ❌ Major repairs/alterations approval (Requires IA / Repair Station)  │
  │  ❌ Major repairs / alterations to PROPELLERS (§ 65.81)                │
  │  ❌ ANY repairs or alterations to INSTRUMENTS (§ 65.81)                │
  │  ❌ Conducting Annual Inspections (Requires IA)                        │
  └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

---

2. Recent Experience Requirements (§ 65.83)

An aviation mechanic certificate remains valid indefinitely unless surrendered, suspended, or revoked. However, a mechanic may not exercise the privileges of their certificate or rating unless they meet the recent experience requirements of 14 CFR § 65.83.

The "6-in-24" Currency Rule

Within the preceding 24 months, the mechanic must have satisfied at least ONE of the following four conditions for at least 6 months:

1. Served as a mechanic under their certificate and rating;
2. Supervised other mechanics in an official maintenance capacity;
3. Supervised, in an executive capacity, the maintenance, alteration, or inspection of aircraft;
4. Performed a combination of any of the above for at least 6 months.

Regaining Lapsed Currency

If an AMT has been away from aviation maintenance for more than 18 months (failing the 6-in-24 rule), they cannot legally return an aircraft to service. To regain currency, the mechanic must:

• Work under the direct supervision of a certificated and currently qualified mechanic for at least 6 months, OR
• Be tested and found competent by an authorized FAA Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI).

3. Rating Privileges & Absolute Statutory Limitations

Airframe Rating Privileges & Limitations (§ 65.85)

A certificated mechanic with an Airframe rating may:

• Perform and approve for return to service maintenance, preventive maintenance, or minor alterations on an airframe, appliance, or component part thereof.
• Perform and approve the 100-hour inspection required by Part 91 on an airframe.
• Limitations: Cannot approve for return to service a major repair or major alteration to an airframe, and cannot perform an annual inspection.
• Current-rule exception you must know (§ 65.85(b), effective July 24, 2025): Amendment 65-66 added a light-sport carve-out. An airframe-rated mechanic may approve for return to service an airframe or related part of an aircraft holding a special airworthiness certificate in the light-sport category after performing and inspecting a major repair or major alteration on products not produced under an FAA approval, provided the work was authorized by, and performed per instructions developed by, the manufacturer or a person acceptable to the FAA. Older textbooks state the prohibition as absolute; it no longer is.

Powerplant Rating Privileges & Limitations (§ 65.87)

A certificated mechanic with a Powerplant rating may:

• Approve for return to service a powerplant or propeller, or any related part or appliance, after performing, supervising, or inspecting its maintenance or alteration (excluding major repairs and major alterations). The regulation's phrase is "related part or appliance" — an APU is covered as an appliance, not as a separately named item.
• Perform and approve the 100-hour inspection required by Part 91 on a powerplant or propeller, or any part thereof.
• Limitations: Cannot approve for return to service a major repair or major alteration to a powerplant or propeller, and cannot perform an annual inspection.
• Current-rule exception (§ 65.87(b), effective July 24, 2025): the same Amendment 65-66 light-sport carve-out applies to powerplant-rated mechanics for products not produced under an FAA approval on light-sport-category aircraft.

Universal Statutory Prohibitions for Mechanics (§ 65.81(a))

Even if holding both Airframe and Powerplant ratings, a mechanic is strictly prohibited by federal regulation from:

1. Major Repairs or Major Alterations to Propellers: Mechanics cannot perform major repairs or alterations to propellers (e.g., blade shortening, blade straightening, major hub repairs). These must be completed by a certificated Part 145 repair station with appropriate propeller ratings or the manufacturer.
2. Any Repairs or Alterations to Instruments: Mechanics may NOT perform any repairs or alterations to instruments (e.g., altimeters, directional gyros, airspeed indicators). Mechanics may only remove, install, and perform external line connections on instruments. All internal repairs and calibrations require an appropriately rated Part 145 instrument repair station.
3. Approving Major Repairs and Major Alterations: Approval for return to service on FAA Form 337 requires an Inspection Authorization (IA), a Part 145 repair station, or the product manufacturer.

Comparison of Maintenance Authorizations