Who is authorized to approve an aircraft return to service after a minor alteration performed on the airframe?

• A. A certificated mechanic holding an airframe rating.
• B. The pilot in command.
• C. IA.
• D. The manufacturer.

Answer: (A)

The person who can approve the aircraft for return to service after a minor airframe alteration is a certificated mechanic holding an airframe rating. This authority comes from the mechanic’s certificate and rating, which define the scope of work they may perform and authorize them to sign off and release the aircraft back to service when the work is done correctly in accordance with approved data, ADs, and service information. The pilot in command isn’t empowered to approve maintenance for return to service, and while an IA oversees inspections and can sign off certain major inspections, a minor alteration on the airframe is within the scope of a properly rated certificated mechanic. The manufacturer provides data and guidance, but the release for return to service in the field comes from the certificated mechanic with the appropriate rating.