After painting the aircraft can only be returned to service by a certified mechanic. If the aircraft has an airworthiness certificate then the FAA Administrator or his designated representative has some inspection rights including access to logs. If you are not the owner of the aircraft then perhaps that should be communicated to the FAA.
A&P/IA, Cessna Flyer Association contributing editor, and tech rep, Steve Ells will provide information on how owners can legally make paint repairs on their airplanes, and share some tips on the. A new paint job takes a lot of thoughtful planning and research before you hand your aircraft keys to your selected paint shop. Here's what every aircraft owner should know before heading into the paint hangar.
Paint Type Matters More Than You Think Unlike many areas of aviation, the FAA doesn't regulate what type of paint is used on your aircraft. This leaves room for some shops to cut costs with automotive. How Are Airplanes Painted? Planes are normally painted every seven to ten years and as you likely suspect, they have to be stripped of the old paint before any new paint can be applied.
After the old color is stripped off, a primer is applied, then the paint itself. The process of painting an airplane can last from a few days to a few weeks. The cost of a quality airplane paint job borders on the astronomical.
But, in fairness to the paint shops, that's because the work involved in doing it right borders on the astronomical. In an effort to save money, can you paint your own airplane? Here's what the FAA regulations say. You can complete a professional paint job on your custom built airplane even if you have no experience.
Painting equipment and the paints used today make it much easier for an individual to paint their own aircraft. Regulations and Considerations for Spray Painting Aircraft Introduction A gleaming coat of paint isn't just about aesthetics for aircraft. It serves a multitude of purposes, from protecting the underlying metal structure from corrosion to enhancing visibility and identification.
However, unlike painting your car in the driveway, painting an aircraft is a highly regulated and specialized. How and When Do I Paint My Aircraft? Sherwin-Williams provides guidelines for owners considering updating their airplane's paint. Painting (or repainting) an aircraft is often up to personal preference.
Besides the appearance, colors, and scheme design, different factors come into play. There are three significant things to think about when considering painting your aircraft. Resale value.
You may like bright yellow with red stripes, but what is the market for that particular combination when it comes time to on-sell? Most aircraft are painted white or a simple pastel color, as these are the ones that most people will be.