Airworthiness Directives on the A&P Oral: What They Are and How Compliance Is Recorded
Airworthiness directives (ADs) are legally enforceable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules for aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, and appliances. An AD answer should explain applicability, required action, compliance time, and the record that shows current status. When you prepare for the Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) oral and practical (O&P) test, connect those steps in one spoken answer.
14 CFR §39.3 · 14 CFR §39.11 · FAA-H-8083-30B, Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook–General (2023), printed 2-27, PDF 76, Applicability and Compliance · 14 CFR §91.417(a)(2)(v)
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What makes an AD a requirement?
The FAA issues ADs under Part 39. Section 39.3 says, “FAA's airworthiness directives are legally enforceable rules that apply to the following products: aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, and appliances.” When an AD incorporates a manufacturer’s service document by reference, §39.27 makes that document part of the AD; if the two conflict, you must follow the AD.
14 CFR §39.3 · AC 39-7D, Airworthiness Directives (March 2, 2012), printed 4, PDF 4, 10. AD COMPLIANCE · 14 CFR §39.27
Section 39.7 states, “Anyone who operates a product that does not meet the requirements of an applicable airworthiness directive is in violation of this section.” Section 39.11 states, “Airworthiness directives specify inspections you must carry out, conditions and limitations you must comply with, and any actions you must take to resolve an unsafe condition.”
Under §91.403(a), the owner or operator is primarily responsible for maintaining the aircraft in an airworthy condition, including Part 39 compliance. Hiring maintenance personnel does not change the rule’s assignment of primary responsibility. Advisory Circular (AC) 39-7D adds that a person performing a 100-hour, annual, progressive, or other required inspection must determine, under §43.15(a), that all applicable airworthiness requirements are met, including AD compliance.
14 CFR §91.403(a) · AC 39-7D, Airworthiness Directives (March 2, 2012), printed 6, PDF 6, 13b. Other Inspections
Start with applicability, then read the compliance paragraph
The General handbook directs a search for ADs on the aircraft, engine, propeller, and installed appliances. Model and series matter, and the final applicability determination requires examining the directive and the product logbooks. An aircraft-model search alone is not the complete research described by the handbook.
AC 39-7D, Airworthiness Directives, issued March 2, 2012, is listed Active in the FAA AC catalog. Paragraph 9 explains applicability statements, including serial-number limitations and modified configurations. Paragraph 11 explains compliance times expressed in hours, landings, cycles, or calendar time; the applicable directive controls the actual requirement.
FAA AC catalog: AC 39-7D, Active, March 2, 2012, Document Information / Number, Title, Status, Date issued · AC 39-7D, Airworthiness Directives (March 2, 2012), printed 3, PDF 3, 9 and 9a. APPLICABILITY OF ADs · AC 39-7D, Airworthiness Directives (March 2, 2012), printed 4, PDF 4, 11a. Specified Compliance Time · AC 39-7D, Airworthiness Directives (March 2, 2012), printed 5, PDF 5, 11b–c. Requirements; Expression of Time
One-time and recurring actions are different status questions
A one-time action and a recurring inspection do not create the same future schedule. AC 39-7D, paragraph 14, explains that some ADs require repetitive or periodic inspection. Any interval adjustment the directive permits must meet its stated conditions and approval requirements; another change to compliance time must go through the alternative-method process.
AC 39-7D, Airworthiness Directives (March 2, 2012), printed 6, PDF 6, 14. RECURRING/PERIODIC ADs
Our advice: before describing an AD as “done,” read all its required actions. Identify whether the recorded work is a one-time requirement, one occurrence of a recurring action, or a terminating action expressly provided by that directive. Do not invent a recurrence interval or assume a repair ends future inspections.
What must an AD-status record show?
| Required status item | Regulatory wording or meaning |
|---|---|
| Applicable directives | Current status of applicable ADs, including the method of compliance for each |
| Directive identification | The AD number and revision date |
| Recurring action | “the time and date when the next action is required” |
Section 91.417(a)(2)(v) requires the registered owner or operator to keep these status records, and §91.417(b)(2) requires the paragraph (a)(2) records to be retained and transferred with the aircraft when it is sold. The shorter retention rule in §91.417(b)(1) for paragraph (a)(1) work records does not apply to this current-status record.
14 CFR §91.417(a)(2)(v) · 14 CFR §91.417(b)(1)–(2)
AC 39-7D distinguishes the maintenance person’s entry under §43.9 from the owner or operator’s records under §91.417. A satisfactory-work entry includes the work description or acceptable data reference, completion date, the performer’s name if different from the approving person, and the approving person’s signature, certificate number, and kind of certificate. The signature constitutes the approval for return to service only for the work performed.
AC 39-7D, Airworthiness Directives (March 2, 2012), printed 6, PDF 6, 13e. Required Entries into Records · 14 CFR §43.9(a)(1)–(4)
Who approves an alternative method of compliance?
An alternative method of compliance (AMOC) is not a mechanic’s unilateral substitute. Section 39.19 permits anyone to propose an alternative method or a change in compliance time if the proposal provides an acceptable level of safety. The proposed alternative may be used only if the manager of the office identified in the AD approves it.
Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, the proposal goes to the principal inspector, with the specific proposed actions. The inspector may add comments and forwards the request to the manager. A copy may go to the manager at the same time; a requester without a principal inspector sends the proposal directly to the manager.
Explaining the chain during O&P study
The Airman Certification Standards (ACS) expressly include “Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) for an AD” as AM.I.I.K10. Our advice: rehearse the approval condition, not only what the acronym stands for.
Our speaking outline: “The directive applies to this product because …; the required action is …; compliance is due …; the status record identifies the method, directive and revision, with the next time and date for recurrence.” Fill each blank from an actual applicable directive and verified records during study. The outline is a rehearsal aid, not a sample FAA question.
Frequently asked questions
Does an AD cover appliances as well as the aircraft itself?
Yes, §39.3 includes appliances alongside aircraft, engines, and propellers. Our advice: determine coverage from the individual directive’s applicability statement and the installed configuration.
14 CFR §39.3 · AC 39-7D, Airworthiness Directives (March 2, 2012), printed 3, PDF 3, 9 and 9a. APPLICABILITY OF ADs
Does a recurring AD record need more than an AD number?
Yes, §91.417(a)(2)(v) also calls for the method of compliance and the revision date and, if the AD involves recurring action, “the time and date when the next action is required.” A bare AD number cannot show that complete status.
May I use a proposed AMOC before it is approved?
No, a proposal alone does not authorize use of an alternative. Under §39.19, you may use it only if the manager of the office identified in the AD approves it.
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Related guides
- Maintenance-entry and inspection-record basics
- Parts 43, 65, and 91 review
- How an AD changes service-document obligations
Primary sources
- 14 CFR §39.3
- 14 CFR §39.11
- FAA-H-8083-30B, Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook–General (2023)
- 14 CFR §91.417(a)(2)(v)
- 14 CFR §39.7
- 14 CFR §91.403(a)
- FAA AC catalog: AC 39-7D, Active, March 2, 2012
- AC 39-7D, Airworthiness Directives (March 2, 2012)
- 14 CFR §43.9(a)(1)–(4)
- 14 CFR §39.19
- 14 CFR §39.27
- FAA-S-ACS-1, Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification Standards
- FAA Mechanic Test Generator FAQs, updated May 22, 2023
Practice explaining the answer aloud
You can rehearse an AD explanation out loud with DMEReady’s artificial intelligence (AI) voice examiner and receive follow-up questions in your browser. A session report identifies coverage, misses, what a complete answer includes, and FAA-handbook reading. The free first drill needs no sign-up. DMEReady is an independent oral study tool, not a human examiner or hands-on practical trainer, and has no FAA affiliation or endorsement.
Start your free drillBefore the oral
Our advice: for your final spoken review, work from the ACS codes on your Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR), then add unfamiliar regulatory topics. The FAA Mechanic Test Generator (MTG) FAQ describes one additional question per missed ACS code and at least four random questions per section—General, Airframe, and Powerplant. Practice answering the authority, due-time, and record questions in one connected explanation with the reference closed; the MTG FAQ says applicants may not use reference material during the oral.
FAA Mechanic Test Generator FAQs, updated May 22, 2023, PDF 3 (no printed page number), Oral-related Questions / How is the oral portion of the test changing? · FAA Mechanic Test Generator FAQs, updated May 22, 2023, PDF 4 (no printed page number), Oral-related Questions
Rehearse an AD answer with its reason.
About this guide: drafted with AI from the FAA sources listed on this page and checked claim by claim against them. Not reviewed by an A&P mechanic or DME. How we make our guides
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