Who can sign off a borescope inspection? FAA and EASA answers
A borescope inspection is a maintenance task, and the signature on it is a legal statement that the task was done and the engine is in the condition the report says. Who can give that signature depends on the regulatory system the aircraft lives under.
JTech Turbines inspection team · Published November 1, 2026 · Updated November 1, 2026
Under the FAA
Maintenance on a US-registered aircraft is performed and returned to service by a certificated mechanic with the appropriate rating, a repair station working within its ratings, or the operator's own maintenance organisation under its approved program. The person signing a borescope inspection must be authorised for that task — typically a powerplant-rated technician who has been trained on the engine type and the borescope equipment, and who works under the operator's or repair station's procedures.
Under EASA
Maintenance on an EU-registered aircraft is released by certifying staff of a Part-145 organisation (or, for some tasks, a licensed engineer working under an approved arrangement). The borescope inspector is typically a Part-66 licensed engineer with the engine type on their licence, authorised by the organisation for borescope tasks. The UK CAA runs a parallel system after Brexit, so UK and EU releases are now separate.
What the authorisation covers
The engine type, the task, and often the equipment. An inspector authorised on the CFM56 is not automatically authorised on the LEAP. Transactions sometimes ask for a specific release or for an inspector independent of both parties; say so when you request the inspection.
Why the AI never signs
Software can sort footage, suggest findings and fill a report. It cannot hold a licence, carry liability or make the airworthiness call. InspectView drafts; a qualified inspector checks, changes and signs.
FAQ
- Can an independent inspector sign a borescope inspection on an airline's aircraft?
- Only within an arrangement the operator and the regulator accept — typically through an approved organisation or the operator's own release process.
- Does a pre-purchase borescope need a regulatory release?
- Not necessarily; it is an inspection for the buyer. If the result will also be used as a maintenance record, it needs a release from someone authorised to give one.
- Is "borescope qualified" a licence?
- No. It is an authorisation granted by a maintenance organisation to a licensed or certificated technician after type and equipment training.
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Need the inspection, not just the article?
JTech Turbines performs borescope, GVI and QEC inspections on site, with reports drafted in InspectView and signed by the inspector. Email jruiz@jtechturbines.com and joel@jtechturbines.com, call +1 (786) 340-4404, or request an inspection at /services#request.