SkyDrill

Balanced control surfaces in the refinishing preventive maintenance item

Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) practice question 36 of 36 on Cleaning and Corrosion Control. ACS element AM.I.G.K24 · difficulty: standard. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONUnder 14 CFR part 43, appendix A, refinishing the decorative coating of wing and tail group surfaces is listed as preventive maintenance. How does that item treat balanced control surfaces?

  1. AThey are included when the paint matches.
  2. BThey are included if no structure is removed.
  3. CThey are excluded from the item.
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. They are excluded from the item.

  • A — incorrect The rule draws no distinction based on the color or type of coating used; the exclusion of balanced control surfaces stands regardless.
  • B — incorrect The condition about not removing or disassembling primary structure or an operating system applies to the surfaces the item already covers, and does not restore balanced control surfaces to the list.
  • C — correct The preventive maintenance item covers refinishing the decorative coating of the fuselage, wings, and tail group surfaces while expressly excluding balanced control surfaces.

BACKGROUND

Title 14 CFR part 43 governs maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, and alteration, and the items whose performance counts as preventive maintenance are listed in appendix A. One of those items is refinishing the decorative coating of the fuselage, balloon baskets, wings, tail group surfaces, fairings, cowlings, landing gear, cabin, or cockpit interior, and it applies only when removal or disassembly of any primary structure or operating system is not required. The same item carries a parenthetical exclusion for balanced control surfaces, so refinishing one of those surfaces is not preventive maintenance. That distinction matters because, under § 43.3(g), the holder of a pilot certificate issued under part 61 may perform preventive maintenance on an aircraft owned or operated by that pilot, within the limits stated there. Work outside the appendix A list must be performed by persons authorized under the other paragraphs of § 43.3, such as the holder of a mechanic certificate.

STUDY TIP

Read the parenthetical exclusions in appendix A as carefully as the main text, since a single phrase decides who may legally do the job. Tie the refinishing item to § 43.3 so you can say who is authorized once the work falls outside preventive maintenance.

KEY POINTS

  • Refinishing decorative coating is a preventive maintenance item, but balanced control surfaces are excluded from it.
  • The item also requires that no removal or disassembly of primary structure or an operating system be needed.
  • Because it is not preventive maintenance, refinishing a balanced control surface must be done by a person authorized under § 43.3.

SOURCES

  • 14 CFR part 43, appendix A(c)(9)
  • 14 CFR 43.3(g)
Practice the Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) test →Timed 60-question exam, by ACS area, or review your misses. Free.
MORE ON CLEANING AND CORROSION CONTROL

SkyDrill is not affiliated with the FAA. This is an original practice item based on FAA-H-8083-30B Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook – General, 14 CFR part 43 and part 65. Regulations and handbooks are revised; confirm details against the current edition.