In Harry Met Sally, Meg Ryan is described as “high maintenance,” meaning that satisfying her needs is never simple or straightforward; keeping her happy requires constant attention. Anyone who owns an airplane is familiar with “high maintenance.” But maintaining an airplane so it meets the FAA’s basic airworthiness requirements isn’t as much about the expense as it is a recordkeeping exercise. Keeping an airplane safe-and legal-to fly does require high maintenance.
According to the FAA, the registered owner or the operator of an airplane is responsible for maintaining his airplane in an airworthy condition, including compliance with all applicable airworthiness directives (ADs), assuring that the maintenance is properly recorded and keeping abreast of current regulations concerning the operation and maintenance of his airplane.
