AOPA recently heard of this problem when a member called and reported that the Scottsdale FSDO had told his mechanic that owners could no longer work on their airplanes. With more than 8,700 AOPA members in Arizona, quite a number of owners could have been trapped in this situation. Once our aviation technical specialist solved this riddle by looking into each facet of the story, we can happily confirm that yes, you can still work with your mechanic on an owner-assisted annual just as you always could. Something was lost in the translation along the way.
Direct supervision is the key.
Also, the owner-pilot must be following a specific task list provided by his mechanic, using the proper tools and manuals as required by the manufacturer. The mechanic must know precisely how and what the owner-pilot is doing and, of course, inspect the work in progress as necessary because, legally, it is the mechanic s work. If the FAA inspector found that the mechanic and owner-pilot didn t follow the correct steps, he could put a stop to the action in question but would not be stopping these same parties, and everyone else, from doing it right.