Definition
The section of the Federal Aviation Regulations that requires aircraft owners and operators to keep maintenance records for the airframe, each engine, each propeller, and (where applicable) each rotor and appliance. It specifies what must be recorded, how long different records must be retained, and which records transfer with the aircraft when it is sold.
Plain English
This is the rule that tells the owner of an aircraft what paperwork to keep about the work done on the aircraft, and for how long.
Context Anchor
You will see this citation when studying aircraft airworthiness, maintenance logs, inspections, and Airworthiness Directive records.
Derivation
The reference reads as a path: Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (the title covering aviation), part 91 (general operating and flight rules), section 91.417 (the specific paragraph on maintenance records). Knowing this structure helps a pilot find any FAR quickly: title, part, section.
Why Pilots Care
Complete records under this section prove the aircraft has been maintained properly and are required to demonstrate airworthiness to the FAA or a prospective buyer.
Intuition Check
Do not treat 14 CFR part 91 section 91.417 as a recommendation or handbook note. It is a federal rule about required aircraft maintenance records.
Example Sentence 1
Before buying the Cessna, the pilot reviewed the logbooks to confirm the seller had kept the records required by 14 CFR part 91 section 91.417.
Example Sentence 2
After the annual inspection, the owner ensured all entries met the standards of 14 CFR part 91 section 91.417 before returning the airplane to service.