Definition
An FAA-certificated maintenance facility authorized under 14 CFR Part 145 to perform inspection, repair, alteration, and overhaul of aircraft, airframes, engines, propellers, appliances, or component parts within the specific ratings and limitations granted on its operating certificate.
Plain English
A maintenance shop that the FAA has officially approved to fix, inspect, or overhaul aircraft and aircraft parts. The certificate spells out exactly what kinds of work the shop is allowed to do.
Context Anchor
Seen in maintenance records, logbook entries, repair approvals, and decisions about where an aircraft or component may be sent for work.
Derivation
Repair comes from Latin words meaning “to make ready again” or “restore.” Station comes from a word meaning “a standing place” or fixed place. Together, the words point to an established place where approved repair work is done.
Why Pilots Care
Work performed at a repair station ensures the aircraft remains airworthy and that all maintenance is legally documented and traceable.
Intuition Check
Do not read repair station as just any shop that repairs aircraft. In FAA use, it means a facility with FAA approval to do specific kinds of maintenance work.
Example Sentence 1
The avionics upgrade was performed by a certificated repair station rated for radio and instrument work.
Example Sentence 2
Only a repair station with the proper ratings can return the overhauled engine to service.