# 14 CFR 39.11: What an AD can require

> An AD can require three kinds of thing: inspections you must carry out, conditions and limitations you must comply with, and actions you must take to resolve the unsafe condition.

Source: https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/39-11
Official text: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-39.11 (eCFR, current as of 2026-10-15; section last amended 2016-12-30)

## In plain English

- Inspections, often repetitive, at the intervals the AD sets.
- Conditions and limitations, such as placards, operating restrictions or limits on use.
- Actions that resolve the unsafe condition, such as replacing or modifying a part, which may end a repetitive inspection.

## Common questions

**What is a terminating action?**

An action, usually replacing or modifying a part, that the AD says ends its repetitive inspections. Until it is done, the repetitive inspections keep coming due.

**Can a pilot comply with an AD?**

Some ADs allow a pilot to do a specific check, such as a fuel cap inspection, and make the record entry. Unless the AD says so, the work is maintenance and needs a mechanic.

## Official text of 14 CFR 39.11

What actions do airworthiness directives require?.

Airworthiness directives specify inspections you must carry out, conditions and limitations you must comply with, and any actions you must take to resolve an unsafe condition.

## Related

- [14 CFR 39.3: What an Airworthiness Directive is](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/39-3.md)
- [14 CFR 39.19: Alternative methods of compliance (AMOC)](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/39-19.md)
- [14 CFR 91.417: Maintenance records an owner must keep](https://www.aerscheduler.com/regulations/91-417.md)
- [AD library: search FAA Airworthiness Directives](https://www.aerscheduler.com/airworthiness-directives)

AerScheduler lists the ADs that name each of your aircraft, records who decided each one, and tracks the repeat inspections that follow. [https://www.aerscheduler.com/features/inspections](https://www.aerscheduler.com/features/inspections)

_The plain-English summary is AerScheduler's reading of the rule, not legal advice. The official text above is the eCFR's, published by the Office of the Federal Register; the eCFR is the current text._