Definition
A specific federal regulation that defines what counts as an 'aeronautical product' and establishes that any person who makes a record about the airworthiness, condition, or maintenance status of such a product must ensure that record is accurate. It is the legal basis requiring truthful statements about an aircraft's airworthiness in maintenance records, logbooks, and similar documentation.
Plain English
A federal rule that says any record made about an aircraft's condition or maintenance has to be truthful and accurate. It makes lying or being careless in aircraft records a federal violation.
Context Anchor
Seen in preflight, maintenance, and aircraft paperwork discussions when deciding whether an aircraft may legally be flown.
Derivation
CFR' stands for Code of Federal Regulations -- the published collection of U.S. federal rules. 'Title 14' is the volume covering aeronautics and space. 'Part 3' is the chapter within Title 14 that deals with general requirements, and '3.5(a)' is the specific section and paragraph being cited. Knowing this citation format helps pilots quickly find any regulation referenced in FAA materials.
Why Pilots Care
Confirms the aircraft has the regulatory documentation needed to establish its airworthiness and legal operating basis.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as just a random legal footnote. It points to the FAA rule that explains the two basic requirements for an aircraft to be airworthy: it must match its approved design and be safe to fly.
Example Sentence 1
The mechanic's logbook entry must comply with 14 CFR part 3, section 3.5(a), which requires accurate statements about the aircraft's condition.
Example Sentence 2
The mechanic pointed to the type certificate documents that satisfied 14 CFR part 3, section 3.5(a) before the annual inspection.