This handbook provides overall maintenance philosophy, general maintenance policy, procedures, and requirements essential for managing and maintaining the National Airspace System and complements related directives which provide detailed guidance in the specialized areas of administrative management and technical applications.

Identifies and describes specific government assistance opportunities such as loans, grants, counseling, and procurement contracts available under many agencies and programs.

As part of the national effort to improve aviation safety, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chartered the National Research Council to examine and recommend improvements in the aircraft certification process currently used by the FAA, manufacturers, and operators.