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Block Lesson Eight

Course Instructions

We have found people learn in different ways. Some learn better by reading the material themselves, others by watching a video. Throughout our Blocks we have the course set up in two different ways; 


  • The first is a video you can watch with text to speech. The video is an MP4 which is not interactive. There is no capability to link anything. That being said, any part that requires you to interact with, you will need to find the link in the text, or watch another video further down the page.
  • The second part is set up with text you can read with all FARs and documents linked to the FAA’s website. Everything is interactive. When it is time to interact with the FAA’s website, or watch another video the capability is there for you.


You can choose which way you would like to precede. 

NOTE:  Each block covers specific FAR information in chronological order, and it is recommended that you work through them in that order. However, you are free to work through them in any order you wish. These Block Lessons are FREE to anyone to read, and work through as often as you would like, all year round. The course can also be used as a TRAINING TOOL so that everyone in your organization is following the same processes.


If you would like to use this course to meet the 8 hours of learning required by FAR 65.93, you are required to complete ALL 8 blocks of Learning, and then take the Final Quiz. About 65% of the questions on the Quiz can be found in these block lessons, the rest you should know. Some of the questions on the quiz can only be answered by going through the course. The Quiz consists of 96 questions and you will need 70% to pass. If you don’t pass the quiz the first time, you will be able to take the Quiz again at any time. Once you start the Quiz you can pause it at any time, in order to search for information on the FAAs website, or review one of our Block Lessons. Once you have completed the Quiz and received at least 70% correct, you will be able to print a certificate to then submit to the FAA.

Block 8 Will Cover:

Block Lesson Eight Video

Inspection Authorization Refresher Training on the FARs

FAR 65.91 is vitally important to an IA.

It defines those elements relative to the continuing validity of IA privileges of the designation. In short, once an IA certificate is issued to an IA, that IA must continue to meet eligibility requirements. In short again, an IA must be DEAF. AN IA MUST have all applicable 

  • DATA available, all applicable 
  • EQUIPMENT available, and 
  • ANY necessary 
  • FACILITIES available. 


For example, if an IA intends to accomplish an Annual inspection on a Piper Cherokee with retractable gear, the relative data must be available and current, a set of jacks must be available for gear retraction tests, and a level area to jack the aircraft out of the wind and weather. Of course, jacks would not be required for a Cessna 172. What is critical to an IA is that IA certificate becomes invalid if any of the required elements are not available. Without jacks an IA would be restricted to only fixed-gear aircraft. If you can’t do the job in compliance with regulations, then don’t do the job.

FAR 65.92 is critical to an IA in that it details the period of time for which the designation remains valid.

Each IA certificate expires on March 31 of each odd-numbered year now. However, the activity requirements remain the same as before for renewal. FAR 65.93 details the various activities that can be used for Inspection Authorization renewal purposes. In the even-numbered years an IA is really on the honor system to assure that appropriate renewal activity is achieved. If an IA fails to meet activity requirements during an even-numbered year, IA certificate becomes invalid during the succeeding odd-numbered year, and IA certificate may not be eligible for renewal, and IA may have to retake IA exam again.

FAR 65.93 is critical to an IA. It details the various methods by which an IA can qualify activities for certificate renewal.

One highly recommended method is by taking this Online seminar under FAR 65.93, item number (4). If you take this, or a similar one, during an even-numbered year, it qualifies as the activity that year for renewal purposes. You merely present your Completion Certificate to the FAA covering the even-numbered year at renewal time together with, hopefully, a second Completion Certificate for the succeeding odd-numbered year. Both certificates will now qualify completely for IA renewal.

FAR 65.95 is critical to an IA because it defines the specific privileges of IA certificate.

In short, an IA may only accomplish three inspections: 

  • Annual inspections performed hands-on by IA; 
  • Perform or supervise Progressive inspections; 
  • Inspect and approve Major Alterations or Major Repairs, 

provided they are accomplished using FAA approved data. If the holder of an inspection authorization changes his fixed base of operation, he may not exercise the privileges of the authorization until he has notified the responsible Flight Standards office or International Field Office for the area in which the new base is located, in writing, of the change. That is it, there is nothing more.

FAR 91.205 is not as important to an IA as it is to the operator of the aircraft because FAR 91 pertains mainly to flight operations, not maintenance personnel.

It details however, those items of required equipment that must be installed and functional for a flight operation to be legal. FAR 91.205 is divided up into operational categories such as DAY-VFR, NIGHT, and IFR. It describes the specific equipment required for each category. FAR 91.205 can be used by an IA to discuss maintenance discrepancies with the aircraft operator after an inspection. An IA can show the operator, for example, that the compass must be functional for DAY-VFR, and that navigation lights must be functional to fly after sunset, and two-way radio communication is required for IFR flight. These specific required components are also those detailed in FAR 23 and CAR 3, and various other documents such as the required Equipment List, Type Certificate Data Sheet in some cases, and on Airworthiness Directives to name just a few. In general, none of these items may be deferred to legally operate.

FAR 91.207 is another FAR of which an IA must be familiar.

It is the yearly inspection of the Emergency Locator Transmitter, or ELT. It is in FAR 91 to advise the operator of the aircraft that the yearly ELT inspection must be performed. It usually is accomplished, as a courtesy, by an IA on an Annual or Progressive inspection. It remains the responsibility however, of the aircraft operator.

FAR 91.213 is important to an IA. It is known as the “poor man’s MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST”.

When there are discrepancies recorded after an Annual or Progressive inspection by an IA, many items are legally able to be deferred provided they are not required equipment. If the aircraft is not covered by an FAA approved MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST, then FAR 91.213D2 may be used to defer certain components not required, or which might prohibit certain flight operations such as night flight or IFR. Again, if the items to be deferred are not required for DAY-VFR, then they can be deferred. An example might be the navigation lights. If they do not function, then the panel can be placarded “NIGHT FLIGHT PROHIBITED” until the system is functional again. Appropriate logbook entries must be made as well as the required placards on the panel, which are described within this FAR.

FAR 91.407 is a regulation with which an IA should be familiar, but will have very little to do with.

Again, it governs flight operations after specified maintenance. There are some liability issues with this rule that should be known.

  • First of all, it implies that an aircraft is not airworthy, and a pilot will go fly it to see if it is. 
  • Second, most aircraft insurance policies will not cover an aircraft flown in an unairworthy condition, even when the FAA issues it a ferry permit. 
  • Third, obviously the Standard Airworthiness Certificate is no longer valid under conditions less than determined airworthiness.

FAR 91.409 is the rule that mandates the owner or operator of an aircraft to have it inspected every twelve calendar months.

Depending upon how the aircraft is being maintained, using Annual or Progressive Inspections, it still has to be completely inspected every twelve calendar months. The inspection must be accomplished by an appropriately rated person, of which an IA is one.

FAR 91.417 a regulation with which an IA should be familiar, but will have very little to do with.

It requires the owner or operator to assure that certain maintenance records are maintained and kept for required periods of time, some forever. It is specifically the owner or operator’s responsibility to see that appropriate and required maintenance records are executed, and is solely responsible for keeping those records safe. These records should be provided to an IA when an IA has been contracted to accomplish Annual or Progressive inspections. These records would include all component logbooks, Form 337, Supplemental Type Certificates for installed equipment as applicable, and the like.

End of Block Lesson Eight

Now you have finished Block Eight, and may review the remaining blocks in any order you would like. After reviewing all 8 blocks of learning, you are ready to take the quiz. I hope you have enjoyed this lesson and have learned something that will help you and keep you out of trouble with the FAA.


Thank you for taking our Online Inspection Authorization Refresher Training Seminar!

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