Records of Inspections
Twisted-Wrench LLC  Aircraft Maintenance Special Projects
43.11   Content, form, and disposition of records for inspections of
this chapter.

(a) Maintenance record entries. The person approving or disapproving for return to service an
aircraft, airframe, aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, or component part after any inspection
performed in accordance with part 91, 125, 135.411(a)(1), or 135.419 shall make an entry in the
maintenance record of that equipment containing the following information:

  • (1) The type of inspection and a brief description of the extent of the
    inspection.

  • (2) The date of the inspection and aircraft total time in service.

  • (3) The signature, the certificate number, and kind of certificate held by
    the person approving or disapproving for return to service the aircraft,
    airframe, aircraft engine, propeller, appliance, component part, or
    portions thereof.

  • (4) Except for progressive inspections, if the aircraft is found to be
    airworthy and approved for return to service, the following or a similarly
    worded statement—“I certify that this aircraft has been inspected in
    accordance with (insert type) inspection and was determined to be in
    airworthy condition.”

  • (5) Except for progressive inspections, if the aircraft is not approved for
    return to service because of needed maintenance, noncompliance with
    applicable specifications, airworthiness directives, or other approved
    data, the following or a similarly worded statement—“I certify that this
    aircraft has been inspected in accordance with (insert type) inspection
    and a list of discrepancies and unairworthy items dated (date) has been
    provided for the aircraft owner or operator.”

  • (6) For progressive inspections, the following or a similarly worded
    statement—“I certify that in accordance with a progressive inspection
    program, a routine inspection of (identify whether aircraft or
    components) and a detailed inspection of (identify components) were
    performed and the (aircraft or components) are (approved or
    disapproved) for return to service.” If disapproved, the entry will further
    state “and a list of discrepancies and unairworthy items dated (date) has
    been provided to the aircraft owner or operator.”

  • (7) If an inspection is conducted under an inspection program provided
    for in part 91, 125, or 135.411(a)(1), the entry must identify the inspection
    program, that part of the inspection program accomplished, and contain
    a statement that the inspection was performed in accordance with the
    inspections and procedures for that particular program.

(b) Listing of discrepancies and placards. If the person performing any inspection
required by part 91, 125 or 135.411(a)(1) of this chapter finds that the aircraft is unairworthy or
does not meet the applicable type certificate data, airworthiness directives, or other approved data
upon which its airworthiness depends, that persons must give the owner or lessee a signed and
dated list of those discrepancies. For those items permitted to be inoperative under 91.213(d)(2)
of this chapter, that person shall place a placard, that meets the aircraft's airworthiness certification
regulations, on each inoperative instrument and the cockpit control of each item of inoperative
equipment, marking it “Inoperative,” and shall add the items to the signed and dated list of
discrepancies given to the owner or lessee.
Explanation and notes below the regulatory section.
Most "approval for return to service" inspection records are adequate but the history of
discrepancies is usuallly lost.

The regulatory sequence is:
  • Perform the inspection
  • Record the discrepancies
  • Sign off the Unairworthy Inspection
  • Repair and return to service each discrepancy

The reality is that discrepancies are usually repaired as found and the aircraft is signed off
as airworthy.  The end result is the same and fine with me except for the discrepancy
information is usually lost.

Using a Discrepancy Management Process will add discrepancy records as a Maintenance
Management tool.
The scope and detail of your 100 hr or Annual inspections is set
out in FAR 43 appendix D.

A few relevant details about the inspections.

Inspection is inspection and does not include maintenance or servicing.

Removing the spark plugs for inspection and compression checks is inspection.
    Cleaning and gapping the plugs is maintenance and servicing.
Inspecting the wheel bearings is inspection.
    Cleaning and repacking the bearings is maintenance and servicing.
Be sure you understand the work-scope when you take your aircraft to a maintenance
provider.

(a) Each person performing an annual or 100-hour inspection shall, before that
inspection, remove or open all necessary inspection plates, access doors, fairing, and
cowling. He shall thoroughly clean the aircraft and aircraft engine.

This indicates that the IA/A&P cannot delegate opening the aircraft or cleaning it.  This is
so the person performing the inspection can see issues with the panels and have a
chance to find leaks and their origins.  It doesn't always happen this way in the real world.

(j) Each person performing an annual or 100-hour inspection shall inspect (where
applicable) each installed miscellaneous item that is not otherwise covered by this listing
for improper installation and improper operation.

Part of improper installation is absence of installation records.  Your maintenance
provider should notify the owner of improperly installed equipment.   It doesn't always
happen this way in the real world.   Especially unlikely to happen with those $100 Annuals.
FAA-G-8082-19

INSPECTION AUTHORIZATION
INFORMATION GUIDE

This a very good
read for owners.