13 Aug 2026
There are usually a number of components on an aircraft where the manufacturer (of the airframe, engine, propeller or other equipment) recommends that they be overhauled/replaced on a regular calendar basis (because they deteriorate through ageing) or a flying hour basis (because they wear out through use), or both.
In some cases, these recommendations must be adhered to, for instance where they have been mandated by a Mandatory Permit Directive, or Airworthiness Directive for a type that previously held a Certificate of Airworthiness, or incorporated in an Aircraft Maintenance Programme that has been specified by the LAA. In other cases, these recommendations are not mandatory and the owner has discretion to vary them.
As a new development instigated in 2026, to help members and Inspectors to meet their ‘duty of care’ obligations, for safety and, not least, peace of mind, the LAA now advise that:
When any component is known to have a recommended limited life, any extension of the life beyond that recommended by the manufacturer is listed down. Â
Against each one, a conscious decision should be made whether or not to continue the part in service or not. Â
In each case, where the decision is to continue the part in service, the justification, mitigation or alternative means of compliance should be recorded.Â
The guidance in this new Technical Leaflet is aimed at helping owners to make and properly record these maintenance decisions, including:
How to identify lifed items
When a component life is considered mandatory
If a life is not mandatory, how to decide an alternative course of action and record the decision not to follow the recommended life
The aim is for owners to make considered decisions on such parts, and have a list that can be regularly reviewed by them and their Inspector.
To coincide with the launch of this Technical Leaflet and its new advice, LAA have introduced a format for a document ‘Lifed Item Tracking Supplement Form’, available to download from the LAA website, that can be used to record the list of lifed items on an aircraft, any deviations that the owner has elected to make from the manufacturer’s recommendations, and the justifications for each case. The LAA Generic Maintenance Schedule LAA/GMS/12/150 has also been updated to include a recommended format that can be used to record the relevant information for aircraft being maintained on customised versions of the GMS.  Example entries are given in Appendix 1 of the Technical Leaflet. These documents are linked below.
Whichever means of recording is used, this is intended to remain as part of the aircraft’s technical records, along with the logbooks and worksheets etc. and be passed on to a new owner should the aircraft be sold. It’s recommended that the seller bring the list to the buyer’s attention and prevail upon the buyer to review the content and amend as they see fit as part of their transition into taking responsibility for the aircraft’s continued airworthiness.  Â
We hope this new Technical Leaflet and associated documents will help discussions between Owners and Inspectors at each Airworthiness Review regarding lifed items.