How are the responsibilities of aviation maintenance technicians governed?

The responsibilities of aviation maintenance technicians are primarily governed by federal regulations. In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sets forth regulations that establish the standards for aviation maintenance, including the qualifications necessary to perform maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations on aircraft. This regulatory framework is crucial for ensuring safety, compliance, and uniformity across the aviation industry.

While manufacturer guidelines do provide important information and specifications that technicians must follow, and state laws may have supplementary regulations, the federal regulations take precedence and set the foundational legal requirements and standards that need to be adhered to in aviation maintenance. Insurance policies may also have conditions regarding maintenance practices, but they do not establish the regulatory responsibilities for technicians in the same way that federal regulations do.