§ 125.247 Inspection programs and maintenance.

(a) No person may operate an airplane subject to this part unless (1) The replacement times for life-limited parts specified in the aircraft type certificate data sheets, or other documents approved by the Administrator, are complied with; (2) Defects disclosed between inspections, or as a result of inspection, have been corrected in accordance with part 43 of this chapter; and (3) The airplane, including airframe, aircraft engines, propellers, appliances, and survival and emergency equipment, and their component parts, is inspected in accordance with an inspection program approved by the Administrator. (b) The inspection program specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section must include at least the following: (1) Instructions, procedures, and standards for the conduct of inspections for the particular make and model of airplane, including necessary tests and checks. The instructions and procedures must set forth in detail the parts and areas of the airframe, aircraft engines, propellers, appliances, and survival and emergency equipment required to be inspected. (2) A schedule for the performance of inspections that must be performed under the program, expressed in terms of the time in service, calendar time, number of system operations, or any combination of these. (c) No person may be used to perform the inspections required by this part unless that person is authorized to perform maintenance under part 43 of this chapter. (d) No person may operate an airplane subject to this part unless— (1) The installed engines have been maintained in accordance with the overhaul periods recommended by the manufacturer or a program approved by the Administrator; and (2) The engine overhaul periods are specified in the inspection programs required by § 125.247(a)(3). (e) Inspection programs which may be approved for use under this part include, but are not limited to— (1) A continuous inspection program which is a part of a current continuous airworthiness program approved for use by a certificate holder under part 121 or part 135 of this chapter; (2) Inspection programs currently recommended by the manufacturer of the airplane, aircraft engines, propellers, appliances, or survival and emergency equipment; or (3) An inspection program developed by a certificate holder under this part.