Definition
A specific section of the Federal Aviation Regulations that lists the maintenance tasks a certificated pilot is permitted to perform on an aircraft they own or operate, without needing a certificated mechanic. These tasks are classified as preventive maintenance and include limited, simple, and routine work such as replenishing fluids, replacing tires, servicing landing gear wheel bearings, and replacing certain bulbs and safety wiring.
Plain English
It is the part of the rules that tells a pilot exactly which small maintenance jobs they are allowed to do on their own aircraft.
Context Anchor
Seen when studying preventive maintenance, checking whether a pilot may legally do a maintenance task, or deciding what must be recorded after the work is done.
Derivation
CFR stands for Code of Federal Regulations -- the official collection of U.S. government rules. Title 14 covers aeronautics and space. 'Part 43' is the chapter on aircraft maintenance, and 'Appendix A(c)' is a labeled section at the end of that part. The naming works like a filing system: title, part, appendix, paragraph.
Why Pilots Care
It defines which routine tasks a pilot can complete without violating regulations or risking the aircraft's airworthiness certificate.
Analogy
Think of it like a street address for a rule. Instead of saying “look somewhere in the maintenance regulations,” the citation points you to the exact place where the preventive maintenance list is located.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as permission to do any maintenance that seems simple. It refers to a specific FAA list, and the task must be on that list and done under the applicable rules.
Example Sentence 1
Before changing the tire on his Cessna, the owner checked 14 CFR part 43, appendix A(c) to confirm the task was authorized preventive maintenance.
Example Sentence 2
Tasks such as replacing cockpit instruments are not listed in 14 CFR part 43, appendix A(c), so they require a mechanic.