Definition
A section of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 43, Appendix A, that lists the categories of aircraft maintenance work classified as major alterations, major repairs, and preventive maintenance. It defines what work pilots may legally perform on their own aircraft and what work must be done by a certificated mechanic or repair station.
Plain English
A government rule that spells out which maintenance jobs count as 'big work' (needing a mechanic) and which simple jobs a pilot is allowed to do themselves on their own aircraft.
Context Anchor
Seen in maintenance, aircraft logbook, airworthiness, and owner-pilot maintenance discussions.
Derivation
CFR stands for Code of Federal Regulations -- the master collection of rules issued by U.S. federal agencies. Title 14 covers aviation. Part 43 covers maintenance, and Appendix A is the specific list at the end of that part that itemizes which jobs fall into which category. Knowing this helps because it shows the term is a precise pointer to one specific list, not a general regulation.
Why Pilots Care
Knowing these rules helps ensure any major work on the aircraft remains legal and the plane stays airworthy.
Intuition Check
Do not read “part” as an aircraft part here. In this citation, “part” means a numbered section of the federal aviation rules. “Appendix A” is not extra reading material; it is part of the rule.
Example Sentence 1
Before changing the oil on his Cessna, the owner checked CFR part 43, appendix A to confirm it qualified as preventive maintenance he could perform himself.
Example Sentence 2
All work listed in CFR Part 43, Appendix A must be properly documented to keep the aircraft in compliance for flight.