These records may be discarded when the work is repeated or superseded by other work, or 1 year after the work is performed. 

m CAUTION: Keep in mind that as a result of repairs or alterations, such as replacing radios and installing speed kits, it may be necessary to amend the weight and balance report, equipment list, flight manual, etc. 

## logbooks 

Most maintenance performed on an aircraft is recor- ded in the aircraft logbooks. As an aircraft owner, it is important to ensure that your aircraft’s logbooks are complete and up to date at all times. The aircraft logbooks outline the maintenance history of your air- craft, and any prospective buyer will want to review the aircraft and all maintenance performed. In addi- tion, any A&P or certificated repair station performing maintenance on your aircraft will want to review the prior maintenance performed on the aircraft. 

## Airworthiness directives 

An aircraft owner is required to comply with all applicable ADs issued by the FAA for his or her aircraft. The FAA issues ADs to notify aircraft owners and other interested persons of unsafe conditions and to specify the corrective action required, including conditions under which the aircraft may continue to be operated. 

The aircraft’s maintenance records should indicate the current status of all applicable ADs, including for each: 

• AD number, 

• Method of compliance, 

• Revision date, and 

• Recurring action (if applicable) including the  time and date of the next action required. 

## safety directives 

The owner or operator of an aircraft having a special airworthiness certificate must comply with each safety directive applicable to the aircraft that corrects an existing unsafe condition or corrects the condition in a manner different from safety directive specifications if the person issuing the directive agrees with the action. Otherwise, the owner or operator may, in accordance with 14 CFR part 91, section 91.327, “obtain an FAA waiver from the provisions of the safety directive based on a conclusion that the safety directive was 

issued without adhering to the applicable consensus standard.” 

Light-sport category aircraft certificated pursuant to 14 CFR part 21, section 21.190 have mandatory compliance with all manufacturer safety directives. 

## service Bulletins 

A service bulletin contains a recommendation from the manufacturer, with which that manufacturer believes the aircraft owner should comply, that often reflects a safety-of-flight issue that the manufacturer believes should be addressed within a certain time- frame. It may result from an improvement developed by the manufacturer, or it may address a defect in a product or published documentation. 

The manufacturer responds to one of these situa- tions by issuing a service bulletin that recommends a certain type of inspection, replacing certain components, performing maintenance in a specific manner, or limiting operations under specified conditions. Sometimes, compliance with a service bulletin may be triggered by the occurrence of a particular event (e.g., the lapse of time or operation under certain types of conditions). 

## FAA Form 337, major repair and Alteration 

A mechanic who performs a major repair or major alteration shall record the work on FAA Form 337 and have the work inspected and approved by a mechanic who holds an inspection authorization (IA). (Light-sport aircraft do not require Form 337 when altering a non-approved product.) A signed copy shall be given to the owner and another copy sent to the FAA Aircraft Registration Branch (AFS-750) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma within 48 hours of aircraft approval for return to service. However, when a major repair is done by a certificated repair station, the customer’s work order may be used and a release given as outlined in 14 CFR Part 43, Appendix B, Recording of Major Repairs and Major Alterations. You can obtain additional information and instructions for completing FAA Form 337 in Advisory Circular (AC) 43-9 (as revised), Aircraft Maintenance Records. Figure 8-2 at the end of this chapter is a sample FAA Form 337. 

## entries into Aircraft maintenance records 

Each time maintenance, including preventive main- tenance, is performed on your aircraft, an appropriate entry must be added to the maintenance records. 

