Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (repealed)Show full title

6. Continuing airworthiness

6.a. The aircraft must not be operated unless:

(i)

the aircraft is in an airworthy condition;

(ii)

the operational and emergency equipment necessary for the intended flight is serviceable;

(iii)

the airworthiness document of the aircraft is valid; and

(iv)

the maintenance of the aircraft is performed in accordance with its maintenance programme.

6.b. Before each flight or consistent series of consecutive flights, the aircraft must be inspected, through a pre-flight check, to determine whether it is fit for the intended flight.

6.c. The maintenance programme must contain in particular, maintenance tasks and intervals, especially those that have been specified as mandatory in the instructions for continuing airworthiness.

6.d. The aircraft must not be operated unless it is released to service by qualified persons or organisations, after maintenance. The signed release to service must contain in particular, the basic details of the maintenance carried out.

6.e. All records demonstrating the airworthiness of the aircraft must be kept until the information contained has been superseded by new information equivalent in scope and detail but not less than 24 months in the case of detailed maintenance records. When the aircraft is leased, all records demonstrating the airworthiness of the aircraft must be kept at least for the length of the lease.

6.f. All modifications and repairs must comply with the essential requirements for airworthiness. The substantiating data supporting compliance with the airworthiness requirements must be retained.