Definition
Changes to an aircraft's airframe, powerplant, propeller, appliance, or component that are not classified as major alterations. They have no appreciable effect on weight, balance, structural strength, performance, powerplant operation, flight characteristics, or other qualities affecting airworthiness, and can be done by conventional practices.
Plain English
Small changes to an aircraft that don't meaningfully affect how it flies, how strong it is, or how safe it is to operate. Because the impact is small, they can be carried out using normal maintenance methods rather than the stricter process required for big changes.
Context Anchor
Seen when reviewing aircraft maintenance records, logbook entries, equipment changes, or discussions about whether a change requires major FAA paperwork.
Derivation
‘Minor’ comes from the Latin minor, meaning ‘smaller’ or ‘lesser.’ ‘Alteration’ comes from the Latin alterare, ‘to change.’ Together the term simply means ‘smaller changes’ — and in FAA use, it specifically means changes small enough not to affect airworthiness.
Why Pilots Care
Determines whether an A&P mechanic can approve and document the work with a simple logbook entry or whether more formal FAA approval is required.
Intuition Check
Do not read “minor” as “doesn’t matter.” Here, “minor” means “not major under FAA rules,” and it still must be properly recorded.
Example Sentence 1
Replacing the cabin upholstery with FAA-approved materials is generally considered a minor alteration and was logged by the mechanic in the airframe records.
Example Sentence 2
Installing a lightweight GPS antenna in the same location as the old one was treated as a minor alteration.