Part 43 Series — What Part 43 Actually Governs: Who Can Work on Your Airplane?

Most private pilots know they can’t just grab a wrench and start “improving” their airplane.

But where exactly is that rule written?

That authority — and its limits — live in FAR Part 43.

If Part 91 governs how you operate your aircraft, Part 43 governs how it’s maintained. And for small-aircraft pilots — especially owners — understanding Part 43 isn’t optional. It determines:

• Who is legally allowed to perform maintenance

• Who can approve the aircraft for return to service

• What counts as maintenance versus rebuilding

• When the rules apply (and when they don’t)

In this five-part series, we’re breaking down Part 43 in a way that makes sense for private pilots flying small, general aviation aircraft — not maintenance shops or transport-category operations.

Today, we start with the foundation:

What Part 43 covers — and who is authorized to turn the wrench.

Let’s open the toolbox.