of Inspection Authorization (IA) Renewal

[Denny of Oakland]

I have had some discussion with A&P/IA mechanics wanting to know if performing the Annual Condition inspection on Experimental Light Sport Aircraft (E-LSA) and Special Light Sport (S-LSA) aircraft meets the requirement for annual inspections to renew their Inspection Authorizations (IA’s).

The answer is NO, E-LSA and S-LSA Condition inspection does not count. To perform the condition inspection on LSA aircraft only requires an A&P certificate. FAR 65.93(a)(1) states “Annual Inspection” NOT “Condition Inspection”. LSA and home built aircraft are not type-certificated aircraft and only have Condition inspections unlike type-certificated aircraft that have Annual Inspections.

In addition FAR 65.95(a)(2) states; Perform an annual, or perform or supervise a progressive inspection according to §§43.13 and 43.15 of this chapter. The rule does not allow condition inspections to count.

I have requested and have received approval of Inspection Authorization (IA) Renewal Training Course, titled Maintenance Safety and Regulatory Training. The course agenda approved is as follows:

The training will cover; Code of Federal Regulations, Type Certificate Data Sheets/Specs., Advisory Circulars, New Rules, Maintenance Records, Airworthiness Directives, inspections, major repairs and alterations, approved data and acceptable data, Instructions for Continued Airworthiness, and maintenance-related accidents.

This course is FREE at my local office through out the year. If you would like to spend a day getting the real deal you can contact me and I will schedule a day for the training.