Aviation mechanic privileges, recent experience and display study guide
14 CFR 65.81 to 65.89 in Part 65 Subpart D set what a certificated mechanic may do. This guide sets out what the federal rule text states on the general privileges and their exclusions for propellers and instruments, work the mechanic has not done before, understanding the manufacturer's current instructions and maintenance manuals, the recent experience requirement, the additional privileges of the airframe and powerplant ratings (including the light-sport category), and keeping and presenting the certificate. The sections are short, so the guide is too. goraedu does not train, test or certificate mechanics, and this is not an FAA test. Every point links to the regulation and quotes its exact words.
General privileges and exclusions
A certificated mechanic may perform or supervise the maintenance, preventive maintenance or alteration of an aircraft or appliance, or a part thereof, for which that person is rated, with the exclusions set out in the same sentence.
“A certificated mechanic may perform or supervise the maintenance, preventive maintenance or alteration of an aircraft or appliance, or a part thereof, for which that person is rated”
The general privilege excludes major repairs to, and major alterations of, propellers.
“but excluding major repairs to, and major alterations of, propellers”
It also excludes any repair to, or alteration of, instruments.
“and any repair to, or alteration of, instruments”
A certificated mechanic may also perform additional duties in accordance with §§ 65.85, 65.87, and 65.95.
“and may perform additional duties in accordance with §§ 65.85, 65.87, and 65.95.”
Not covered here
§ 65.95, which 65.81(a) names for additional duties, is outside this set and is not set out here. Sections 65.81 to 65.89 do not define major repair, major alteration or preventive maintenance; those terms are not set out here. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Work not done before and manufacturer instructions
A certificated mechanic may not supervise the maintenance, preventive maintenance, or alteration of, or approve for return to service, any aircraft or appliance, or part thereof, for which that person is rated unless that person has satisfactorily performed the work concerned at an earlier date.
“However, a certificated mechanic may not supervise the maintenance, preventive maintenance, or alteration of, or approve for return to service, any aircraft or appliance, or part thereof, for which that person is rated unless that person has satisfactorily performed the work concerned at an earlier date.”
If that person has not performed that work at an earlier date, one of the options is to show the ability to do it by performing it to the satisfaction of the Administrator.
“If that person has not so performed that work at an earlier date, that person may show the ability to do it by performing it to the satisfaction of the Administrator”
The other option is 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.
“or 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.”
A certificated mechanic may not exercise the privileges of that person's certificate and rating unless that person understands the current instructions of the manufacturer, and the maintenance manuals, for the specific operation concerned.
“A certificated mechanic may not exercise the privileges of that person's certificate and rating unless that person understands the current instructions of the manufacturer, and the maintenance manuals, for the specific operation concerned.”
Recent experience
A certificated mechanic may not exercise the privileges of his certificate and rating unless, within the preceding 24 months, one of the options in 65.83(a) or (b) is met.
“A certificated mechanic may not exercise the privileges of his certificate and rating unless, within the preceding 24 months—”
One option: the Administrator has found that the mechanic is able to do that work.
“(a) The Administrator has found that he is able to do that work; or”
The other option: the mechanic has, for at least 6 months, done one of the things listed in 65.83(b)(1) to (4).
“(b) He has, for at least 6 months—”
One listed activity is having served as a mechanic under the mechanic's certificate and rating.
“Served as a mechanic under his certificate and rating;”
Another is having technically supervised other mechanics.
“Technically supervised other mechanics;”
Another is having supervised, in an executive capacity, the maintenance or alteration of aircraft.
“Supervised, in an executive capacity, the maintenance or alteration of aircraft; or”
The last is having been engaged in any combination of paragraph (b)(1), (2), or (3).
“Been engaged in any combination of paragraph (b) (1), (2), or (3) of this section.”
Airframe rating privileges
Except as provided in 65.85(b), a certificated mechanic with an airframe rating may approve for return to service an airframe, or any related part or appliance, after that person has performed, supervised, or inspected its maintenance or alteration (excluding major repairs and major alterations).
“Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a certificated mechanic with an airframe rating may approve for return to service an airframe, or any related part or appliance, after that person has performed, supervised, or inspected its maintenance or alteration (excluding major repairs and major alterations).”
In addition, a certificated mechanic with an airframe rating may perform the 100-hour inspection required by part 91 on an airframe, or any related part or appliance, and approve for return to service.
“In addition, a certificated mechanic with an airframe rating may perform the 100-hour inspection required by part 91 of this chapter on an airframe, or any related part or appliance, and approve for return to service.”
Under 65.85(b), a certificated mechanic with an airframe rating can approve for return to service an airframe, or any related part or appliance, of an aircraft with a special airworthiness certificate in the light-sport category after performing and inspecting a major repair or major alteration for products that are not produced under an FAA approval, but only under the proviso on authorization and instructions explained below.
“A certificated mechanic with an airframe rating can approve for return to service an airframe, or any related part or appliance, of an aircraft with a special airworthiness certificate in the light-sport category after performing and inspecting a major repair or major alteration for products that are not produced under an FAA approval provided the major repair or major alteration was authorized by, and performed in accordance with instructions developed by, the manufacturer or a person acceptable to the FAA.”
In 65.85(b) the mechanic must have both performed and inspected the major repair or major alteration.
“after performing and inspecting a major repair or major alteration”
That light-sport approval is allowed provided the major repair or major alteration was authorized by, and performed in accordance with instructions developed by, the manufacturer or a person acceptable to the FAA.
“provided the major repair or major alteration was authorized by, and performed in accordance with instructions developed by, the manufacturer or a person acceptable to the FAA.”
Not covered here
The 100-hour inspection itself is required by part 91, which is outside this set. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Powerplant rating privileges
Except as provided in 65.87(b), a certificated mechanic with a powerplant rating may approve for return to service a powerplant or propeller or any related part or appliance, after that person has performed, supervised, or inspected its maintenance or alteration (excluding major repairs and major alterations).
“Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a certificated mechanic with a powerplant rating may approve for return to service a powerplant or propeller or any related part or appliance, after that person has performed, supervised, or inspected its maintenance or alteration (excluding major repairs and major alterations).”
In addition, a certificated mechanic with a powerplant rating may perform the 100-hour inspection required by part 91 on a powerplant or propeller, or any part thereof, and approve for return to service.
“In addition, a certificated mechanic with a powerplant rating may perform the 100-hour inspection required by part 91 of this chapter on a powerplant or propeller, or any part thereof, and approve for return to service.”
Under 65.87(b), a certificated mechanic with a powerplant rating can approve for return to service a powerplant or propeller, or any related part or appliance, of an aircraft with a special airworthiness certificate in the light-sport category after performing and inspecting a major repair or major alteration for products that are not produced under an FAA approval, but only under the proviso on authorization and instructions explained below.
“A certificated mechanic with a powerplant rating can approve for return to service a powerplant or propeller, or any related part or appliance, of an aircraft with a special airworthiness certificate in the light-sport category after performing and inspecting a major repair or major alteration for products that are not produced under an FAA approval, provided the major repair or major alteration was authorized by, and performed in accordance with instructions developed by, the manufacturer or a person acceptable to the FAA.”
That approval is allowed provided the major repair or major alteration was authorized by, and performed in accordance with instructions developed by, the manufacturer or a person acceptable to the FAA.
“provided the major repair or major alteration was authorized by, and performed in accordance with instructions developed by, the manufacturer or a person acceptable to the FAA.”
Display of certificate
Each person who holds a mechanic certificate shall keep it within the immediate area where that person normally exercises the privileges of the certificate.
“Each person who holds a mechanic certificate shall keep it within the immediate area where he normally exercises the privileges of the certificate”
The holder shall present it for inspection upon the request of the Administrator.
“and shall present it for inspection upon the request of the Administrator”
The holder shall also present it upon the request of an authorized representative of the National Transportation Safety Board.
“and shall present it for inspection upon the request of the Administrator or an authorized representative of the National Transportation Safety Board”
The holder shall also present it upon the request of any Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer.
“and shall present it for inspection upon the request of the Administrator or an authorized representative of the National Transportation Safety Board, or of any Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer.”
Not covered here
Sections 65.81 to 65.89 are short, so this guide has 28 points; the list is not padded to reach a set length. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Sources
- eCFR: 14 CFR 65.81, General privileges and limitations (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
- eCFR: 14 CFR 65.83, Recent experience requirements (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
- eCFR: 14 CFR 65.85, Airframe rating; additional privileges (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
- eCFR: 14 CFR 65.87, Powerplant rating; additional privileges (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
- eCFR: 14 CFR 65.89, Display of certificate (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
Other FAA aviation mechanic study guides: Eligibility, ratings, knowledge, experience and skill, Inspection authorization, Who may perform maintenance and approve return to service, Maintenance and inspection records, Performance and inspection rules, Major alterations, major repairs and preventive maintenance