May the data in an aircraft maintenance manual be used as approved data for an aircraft repair?

• A. Yes. An aircraft maintenance manual is FAA approved.
• B. Yes, but only if approved by the operator.
• C. No, only manufacturer service bulletins are approved data.
• D. No, maintenance manuals are not considered approved data.

Answer: (A)

Approved data comes from sources the FAA has authorized for a particular aircraft, and the manufacturer’s manuals are a primary part of that package. The data in an aircraft maintenance manual—procedures, limits, torque values, and methods—are published by the manufacturer and vetted through the certification process, so they are considered approved data for maintenance and repairs. As long as you’re using the current revision of the manual that applies to the aircraft, you’re following approved data. Operator approval isn’t the authority for what constitutes approved data, and while service bulletins are also approved data when applicable, the manual itself provides the official, field-usable procedures.