What is the role of service bulletins in maintaining airworthiness?

• A. Service bulletins are optional guidelines for airport ground crews.
• B. Service bulletins inform maintenance about recommended or mandated inspections and modifications.
• C. Service bulletins are pilots' personal notes.
• D. Service bulletins specify flight routes.

Answer: (B)

Service bulletins are manufacturer-issued notices that guide maintenance by informing what inspections or modifications are recommended or required to keep an aircraft airworthy. They address identified safety or reliability concerns and help ensure the aircraft complies with airworthiness standards. While many bulletins are guidance, regulators can adopt them into Airworthiness Directives, making certain actions mandatory. They are aimed at maintenance decisions to implement changes or inspections, not at pilots’ personal notes or flight routes. In short, they tell maintenance personnel what to inspect, modify, or update to maintain safety and compliance.