Personnel Authorized to Perform Inspection and Maintenance on LSA Engines

Given they meet all applicable regulations, the holder of a powerplant certificate can perform maintenance and inspections on light-sport engines. The holder of a sport pilot certificate may perform preventive maintenance on an aircraft owned or operated by that pilot and issued a special airworthiness certificate in the light-sport category under the provisions of 14 CFR part 43, section 43.3 (g).

All maintenance must be performed in accordance with 14 CFR part 65, section 65.81, which describes specific experience requirements and current instructions for performing maintenance.

The following is used to determine eligibility for a repairman certificate (light-sport aircraft) and appropriate rating. To be eligible for a repairman certificate (light-sport aircraft), you must:

1. Be at least 18 years old.

2. Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English. If for medical reasons you cannot meet one of these requirements, the FAA may place limits on the repairman certificate necessary to safely perform the actions authorized by the certificate and rating.

3. Demonstrate the requisite skill to determine whether a light-sport aircraft is in a condition for safe operation.

4. Be a citizen of the United States, or a citizen of a foreign country who has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States.

5. To be eligible for a repairman certificate (light-sport aircraft) with an inspection rating, the applicant must:

Meet the requirements stated above for a repairman’s certificate.
Complete a 16-hour training course acceptable to the FAA on inspecting the particular class of experimental light-sport aircraft for which these privileges are intended to be exercised.

6. To be eligible for a repairman certificate (light-sport aircraft) with a maintenance rating, the applicant must:

Meet the requirements stated above for a repairman’s certificate.
Complete a training course acceptable to the FAA on maintaining the particular class of light-sport aircraft upon which the privileges are intended to be exercised. The training course must, at a minimum provide the following number of hours of instruction:

       - For airplane class privileges: 120 hours.
     - Weight-shift control aircraft class privileges: 104 hours.
     - Powered parachute class privileges: 104 hours.
       - Lighter-than-air class privileges: 80 hours.
       - Glider class privileges: 80 hours.

The holder of a repairman certificate (light-sport aircraft) with an inspection rating may perform the annual condition inspection on a light-sport aircraft that is owned by the holder, has been issued an experimental certificate for operating a light-sport aircraft under 14 CFR part 21, section 21.191(i), and is in the same class of light-sport aircraft for which the holder has completed the training specified in the above paragraphs.

The holder of a repairman certificate (light-sport aircraft) with a maintenance rating may approve and return to service an aircraft that has been issued a special Airworthiness Certificate in the light-sport category under 14 CFR part 21, section 21.190, or any part thereof, after performing or inspecting maintenance (to include the annual condition inspection and the 100-hour inspection required by 14 CFR part 91, section 91.327), preventive maintenance, or an alteration (excluding a major repair or a major alteration on a product produced under an FAA approval). They may perform the annual condition inspection on a light-sport aircraft that has been issued an experimental certificate for operating a light-sport aircraft under 14 CFR part 21, section 21.191(i).

However, they may only perform maintenance, preventive maintenance, and an alteration on a light-sport aircraft for which the holder has completed the training specified in the preceding paragraphs. Before performing a major repair, the holder must complete additional training acceptable to the FAA and appropriate to the repair performed.

The holder of a repairman certificate (light-sport aircraft) with a maintenance rating may not approve for return to service any aircraft or part thereof unless that person has previously performed the work concerned satisfactorily. If that person has not previously performed that work, the person may show the ability to do the work by performing it under the direct supervision of a certificated and appropriately rated mechanic, or a certificated repairman who has had previous experience in the specific operation concerned. The repairman may not exercise the privileges of the certificate unless the repairman understands the current instructions of the manufacturer and the maintenance manuals for the specific operation concerned.

Authorized Personnel That Meet FAA Regulations

All applicable aviation regulatory authority regarding maintenance procedures must be met. Maintenance organizations and personnel are encouraged to contact the manufacturer for more information and guidance on any of the maintenance procedures.

It is a requirement that every individual or maintenance provider possess the required special tooling, training, or experience to perform all tasks outlined. Maintenance providers that meet the following conditions outlined below may perform engine maintenance providing they meet all of the following FAA requirements:

Knowledge of the specific task as a result of receiving authorized training from a training provider.
Previous experience in performing the task and formal instruction from a manufacturer’s authorized training facility or “on-the-job” instruction by a manufacturer’s representative.
A suitable work environment to prevent contamination or damage to engine parts or modules is needed.
Suitable tools and fixtures as outlined in the manufacturers’ Maintenance Manual should be used while performing maintenance requiring such tooling.
Reasonable and prudent maintenance practices should be utilized.

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