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

Jul 19, 2026

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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.

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

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