For aircraft operated under part 91, which records must be retained for at least one year?

For aircraft operated under part 91, retaining records of maintenance, alterations, and inspections for at least one year is crucial for ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and maintaining safety. These records serve as documentation of the aircraft's status and ensure that any maintenance performed is logged, showcasing that necessary procedures were followed.

By keeping detailed maintenance records, operators can demonstrate that they have adhered to safety protocols and airworthiness standards. Additionally, these records can be referenced for evaluating the aircraft's operational history, which is essential when assessing the aircraft's reliability and performance.

Other types of records mentioned, while valuable for operational management and safety assurance, do not have the same regulatory retention requirement under part 91. For example, personnel training records may be retained for different durations depending on specific employer policies or other applicable regulations. Flight logs and time sheets, while important for tracking pilot activity, have separate retention guidelines. Equipment inventory logs help monitor equipment availability but aren't mandated for a one-year retention like maintenance records. Thus, the focus on maintenance, alterations, and inspections highlights the importance of tracking the aircraft's operational integrity and compliance with safety regulations over time.