Attorneys for the FAA have released a new interpretation of 14 CFR§43.3 (the Moss Interpretation) that will change the way aviators and their mechanics traditionally perform aircraft maintenance and repairs.

Traditionally, the statement “A person working under the supervision of a holder of a mechanic or repairman certificate may perform the maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations that his supervisor is authorized to perform, if the supervisor personally observes the work being done to the extent necessary to ensure that it is being done properly and if the supervisor is readily available, in person, for consultation” was understood to mean certified A&P mechanics could use their own discretion to decide when they needed to perform a task, supervise someone’s work, or simply confirm the job was done properly. As long as they were available for consultation and a final check, with an approved sign-off in the logbooks, all was well.

The Moss Interpretation takes that a step further and states, “The certified mechanic must be available, not just to answer questions, but to notice mistakes and take over if necessary.” This interpretation of the rule means an A&P certified mechanic must constantly supervise the work being done – a demand that will threaten the financial viability of many repair shops.

You can read the full ruling here:

https://cessnaowner.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/FAA-interpertation.pdf