FAA Part 145 — Keep Your Repair Station Certified
Quick Answer
Not if you\'re operating under your personal A&P certificate (Part 43 authority). However, you need a Part 145 certificate if you\'re running a commercial repair business, performing work for Part 121 or 135 air carriers, need EASA or other foreign authority reciprocity, or performing specialized work that requires facility-level approval from the FAA.
Last reviewed · By Chad Griffith
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about faa part 145: keep your repair station certified. Whether you're a safety manager, compliance officer, or operations director, understanding aviation requirements is critical to avoiding costly fines and failed audits.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Part 145 Repair Station?
An FAA-certificated maintenance organization (14 CFR Part 145) authorized to perform aircraft maintenance, preventive maintenance, alterations, and inspections. Repair stations have rated capabilities (airframe, powerplant, propeller, accessory, radio, instrument, limited) issued by the FAA. Operating without proper rating is a major violation.
What does a Part 145 Repair Station Manual (RSM) include?
Per 14 CFR 145.207 and 145.209: organizational chart, capability list, training program, employment/personnel records, equipment list, manuals/data control, recordkeeping, work order procedures, return-to-service procedures, contracted maintenance procedures, and corrective action processes. The RSM is the FAA's primary inspection reference document.
How often does the FAA inspect a Part 145 Repair Station?
Annual continuing surveillance by the assigned principal maintenance inspector (PMI). Plus quality assurance audits (often quarterly), ramp inspections of work in progress, and special focus inspections after a complaint or incident. Multi-rated stations get more attention than single-rating stations.
What are the most-cited Part 145 compliance issues?
(1) Training records incomplete or not signed by training instructor, (2) tool calibration records lapsed, (3) work-in-progress paperwork mismatched to actual aircraft work, (4) RSM revisions not distributed to all required positions, (5) AD research not documented in work orders, (6) return-to-service signatures by uncertified personnel.
Can FileFlo handle Part 145 documentation?
Yes. FileFlo's aviation rule-pack covers Part 145 repair station operations: technician training records (initial + recurrent + competency), tool calibration logs, RSM version control, work order document chain, AD research records, and return-to-service certifications. Audit binder includes everything an FAA PMI checks during annual surveillance.
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