What defines whether a repair is classified as major or minor?

The classification of a repair as major or minor is defined by the regulations specified in FAR Part 43, Appendix A. This section outlines the criteria used by the FAA to distinguish between major repairs, which significantly affect the aircraft's structural integrity, performance, or operational safety, and minor repairs, which have a much lower impact and do not significantly change the aircraft's characteristics.

Knowing these definitions is crucial for aviation mechanics, as they determine the required procedures for documentation, approval, and oversight during the repair process. Major repairs typically require more rigorous documentation, inspections, and possibly FAA approval, while minor repairs may be documented but do not require the same level of regulatory oversight.

Other choices are not the primary source for determining repair classification. Airworthiness Directives are regulations issued for specific safety concerns and do not generalize major or minor repair definitions. Manufacturer specifications may guide repairs but do not provide the regulatory framework for classification under the FAR. General building codes apply to construction standards and are unrelated to aircraft maintenance and repair classifications.