Definition
A specific paragraph within Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 43 (Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alteration), Section 43.3 paragraph (h), which permits the holder of a pilot certificate issued under 14 CFR Part 61 to perform certain approved inspections on aircraft owned or operated by that pilot, when authorized by the Administrator.
Plain English
A small subsection of the maintenance rules that lets certain pilots, with FAA approval, do specific inspections on the aircraft they own or operate.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying discussions about the pilot’s responsibility for keeping navigation data current and using approved procedures for database updates.
Derivation
CFR stands for Code of Federal Regulations. The format '43.3(h)' is the standard regulatory citation: Part 43, Section 3, paragraph (h). Knowing this lets a pilot find the exact rule quickly in the regulations.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots must know exactly which maintenance actions they may legally perform themselves to keep the aircraft airworthy without requiring a certified mechanic.
Intuition Check
“Part” does not mean an aircraft component here. It means a numbered section of the federal aviation rules. “43.3(h)” is not a frequency, checklist step, or equipment code. It is a precise legal citation.
Example Sentence 1
The owner-pilot reviewed 14 CFR Part 43, §43.3(h) before agreeing to perform the inspection on his own aircraft.
Example Sentence 2
The instructor reminded the student that 14 CFR Part 43, — 43.3(h) does not permit a private pilot to perform work on an aircraft used for charter flights.