Definition
A section of the Federal Aviation Regulations that specifies the content and recordkeeping requirements for maintenance record entries made after an annual, 100-hour, or progressive inspection. It requires the person performing the inspection to record the aircraft total time in service, the date, the type of inspection, a signature, and the certificate number and kind of certificate held by the person approving or disapproving the aircraft for return to service. If the aircraft is found unairworthy, a signed and dated list of discrepancies must be provided to the owner or lessee.
Plain English
This is the rule that says exactly what must be written in the aircraft's maintenance records after an inspection — including the date, hours, who did the inspection, whether the aircraft passed or failed, and a list of any problems if it failed.
Context Anchor
Seen when studying aircraft inspection records, annual inspections, 100-hour inspections, progressive inspections, and other FAA-approved inspection programs.
Derivation
CFR' stands for Code of Federal Regulations. 'Part 43' covers maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, and alteration. 'Section 43.11' is the specific rule within that part dealing with inspection record entries. Knowing the structure helps a pilot find related rules quickly — Part 43 is always the maintenance part.
Why Pilots Care
Proper records required by this section prove the aircraft is airworthy and protect the pilot and owner from regulatory violations or safety gaps.
Intuition Check
“Part” does not mean a physical aircraft part here. It means a numbered group of FAA rules. “Section 43.11” is not an inspection by itself; it is the rule that tells how the inspection must be recorded.
Example Sentence 1
Before the flight, the pilot reviewed the most recent §43.11 entry in the maintenance logbook to confirm the annual inspection had been completed and signed off.
Example Sentence 2
Before approving the aircraft for return to service, the owner verified that the maintenance record met the content rules in 14 CFR part 43 section 43.11.