Which record must remain with the aircraft permanently, per regulations?

Maintenance and alteration records must remain with the aircraft permanently according to regulations. This requirement is crucial for ensuring that the aircraft's history is preserved in a comprehensive manner, allowing for thorough tracking of its maintenance and alteration activities throughout its operational life. Such records provide important details about any repairs, inspections, and modifications that have been made, which are vital for maintaining the aircraft's airworthiness and compliance with safety regulations.

The permanence of these records aids in accountability and ensures that any future maintenance personnel have complete knowledge of the aircraft's condition and history. This transparency is essential for ongoing safety and compliance checks, as well as for supporting any future transactions regarding the aircraft, such as sales or transfers of ownership, where potential buyers or regulators will want assurance of the aircraft’s maintenance history and compliance with aviation standards.