FAA 14 CFR Part 135 Air Carrier Maintenance Program Audit Checklist

Part 135 air carriers must operate under an approved maintenance program per 14 CFR 135.411 that meets more stringent requirements than Part 91. The carrier's maintenance manual must be FAA-approved, and all major maintenance must be released with an airworthiness release signed by an appropriately certificated mechanic. This audit verifies that the maintenance program is current, the inspection program is being followed, and records are retained per 14 CFR 135.439. Non-compliant maintenance pro

  • Industry: Transportation & Logistics
  • Frequency: Annual
  • Estimated Time: 20-30 minutes
  • Role: Air Carrier Maintenance Director
  • Total Items: 19
  • Compliance: 14 CFR Part 43, 14 CFR Part 91, FAA Advisory Circular

Maintenance Manual Currency and FAA Approval

The carrier's maintenance manual must be FAA-approved and current per 14 CFR 135.427.

  • FAA-approved maintenance manual on file and current (not superseded revision)?
  • Manual revisions distributed to all maintenance personnel and controlled copy updated?
  • Maintenance manual accessible to mechanics performing work on carrier's aircraft?
  • Manual revision date and manual number:

Approved Inspection Program (AIP) Compliance

Part 135 carriers must follow an Approved Inspection Program per 14 CFR 135.419.

  • All aircraft operated under the Part 135 certificate have current AIP inspections?
  • Inspection intervals in the AIP not exceeded for any aircraft?
  • Continuous airworthiness maintenance program (CAMP) enrolled aircraft current per approved intervals?

Airworthiness Release Requirements

14 CFR 135.443 requires an airworthiness release signed by an appropriately certificated person before each Part 135 flight after maintenance.

  • Airworthiness release prepared after each maintenance action before flight?
  • Airworthiness release signed by certificated A&P mechanic with IA, or appropriately authorized person?
  • Release references the specific maintenance performed and aircraft N-number?

Maintenance Record Retention

14 CFR 135.439 requires records to be retained for specified periods; longer than Part 91 requirements.

  • Current maintenance records for all aircraft retained at the carrier's principal operations base?
  • Airworthiness releases retained for minimum 1 year?
  • Major repair and alteration records (Form 337) retained until aircraft destroyed?
  • AD compliance records retained indefinitely for ADs with terminating actions?

Maintenance Audit Summary

Document findings from this Part 135 maintenance program audit.

  • Part 135 maintenance program compliant in all audited areas?
  • Non-conformities found (describe or None):
  • Number of aircraft in fleet covered by this audit:
  • Auditor name and certificate number:
  • Auditor signature:

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Why Use This FAA 14 CFR Part 135 Air Carrier Maintenance Program Audit Checklist?

This faa 14 cfr part 135 air carrier maintenance program audit checklist helps transportation & logistics teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for air carrier maintenance director professionals, this checklist covers 19 critical inspection points across 5 sections. Recommended frequency: annual.

Ensures compliance with 14 CFR Part 43, 14 CFR Part 91, FAA Advisory Circular. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a FAA 14 CFR Part 135 Air Carrier Maintenance Program Audit Checklist?

A FAA 14 CFR Part 135 Air Carrier Maintenance Program Audit Checklist is a standardized inspection form used by air carrier maintenance director to ensure consistent transportation & logistics operations. It contains 26 inspection points organized into 5 sections. FREE PDF - FAA 14 CFR Part 135 on-demand and commuter air carrier maintenance program audit checklist. Covers the required maintenance manual, inspection program, airworthiness release, maintenance record retention, and required inspections under 14 CFR 135.411-135.443.

How often should I use this transportation & logistics checklist?

This checklist is designed to be completed annual. Regular use ensures compliance with 14 CFR Part 43 and 14 CFR Part 91 and helps identify issues before they become problems.

Can I download this FAA 14 CFR Part 135 Air Carrier Maintenance Program Audit Checklist as a PDF?

Yes, you can download this checklist as a FREE PDF for printing or offline use. The checklist includes 26 fields across 5 sections and typically takes 20-30 minutes to complete.

What compliance standards does this checklist cover?

This checklist helps ensure compliance with 14 CFR Part 43, 14 CFR Part 91, FAA Advisory Circular. Following these standards protects your organization and ensures best practices.

How do I complete this transportation & logistics inspection checklist?

Begin by completing the header fields for Facility / Location, Inspection Date, Inspector Name, and Permit / Reference Number. Work through each of the 5 sections, marking items Yes or No as applicable. Add notes for any issues found. Finally, complete the footer fields and add your signature. The entire process takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

What are the key sections in this transportation & logistics checklist?

This transportation & logistics checklist is organized into 5 key sections: Maintenance Manual Currency and FAA Approval, Approved Inspection Program (AIP) Compliance, Airworthiness Release Requirements, Maintenance Record Retention, Maintenance Audit Summary. Each section contains specific inspection points that air carrier maintenance director must verify. The structured layout ensures nothing is missed during transportation & logistics inspections and makes the process efficient, typically taking 20-30 minutes to complete.

Who should use this FAA 14 CFR Part 135 Air Carrier Maintenance Program Audit Checklist?

This checklist is primarily designed for air carrier maintenance director working in transportation & logistics operations. However, it is also valuable for quality assurance teams, safety officers, compliance managers, and supervisors who need to verify that transportation & logistics standards are being met. Organizations of all sizes can benefit from using this FAA 14 CFR Part 135 Air Carrier Maintenance Program Audit Checklist to maintain consistency and accountability.

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