Airworthiness Requirements

Question 1

What documents are required on board an aircraft prior to flight?

Answer 1

A airworthiness certificate
R registration certificate
R radio station license (if operating outside of U.S.; an FCC regulation)
O operating limitations - AFM/POH and supplements, placards, markings
W weight and balance data
compass deviation card
external data plate/serial number

Question 2

What is an airworthiness certificate?

Answer 2

An airworthiness certificate is issued by the FAA to an aircraft that has been proven to meet the minimum design and manufacturing requirements and is condition for safe operation. Under any circumstances, the aircraft must meet the requirements of the original type certificate or it is no longer airworthy. These certificates come in two different classifications: standard airworthiness and special airworthiness

Question 3

What is the difference between standard and special airworthiness certificates?

Answer 3

Standard airworthiness certificates (white paper) are issued for normal, utility, acrobatic, commuter, or transport category aircraft. Special airworthiness certificates (pink paper) are issued for primary, restricted, or limited category aircraft, and light sport aircraft

Question 4

What is an experimental airworthiness certificate?

Answer 4

A special airworthiness certificate in the experimental category is issued to operate an aircraft that does not have a type certificate or does not conform to its type certificate yet is in a condition for safe operation. Additionally, this certificate is issued to operate a primary category kit built aircraft that was assembled without the supervision and quality control of the production certificate holder

Question 5

Does an airworthiness certificate have an expiration date?

Answer 5

No. A standard airworthiness certificate remains valid for as long as the aircraft meets its approved type design, is in a condition for safe operation, and the maintenance, preventative maintenance, and alterations are performed in accordance with 14 CFR parts 21,43, and 91

Question 6

Where must the the airworthiness certificate be located?

Answer 6

The certificate must be displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is legible to passengers or crew

Question 7

For an aircraft to be considered airworthy, what two conditions must be met?

Answer 7

a. The aircraft must conform to its type design (type certificate). This is attained when the required and proper components are installed consistent with the drawings, specifications, and other data that are part of the type certificate. Conformity includes applicable supplemental type certificate(s) (STC) and field approval alterations
b. The aircraft must be in a condition for safe operation, referring to the condition of the aircraft in relation to wear and deterioration

Question 8

Explain how a pilot determines if an aircraft conforms to its approved type design and is in a condition for safe operation.

Answer 8

a. For type design, a pilot must determine that the maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations have been performed in accordance 14 CFR parts 21, 43, and 91 and that the aircraft is registered in the U.S. The pilot does this by ensuring that all required inspections, maintenance, preventive maintenance, repairs and alterations have been appropriately documented in the aircraft’s maintenance records
b. For safe operation, the pilot conducts a through preflight inspection of the aircraft for wear and deterioration, structural damage, fluid leaks, tire wear, inoperative instruments and equipment. If an unsafe condition exists or inoperative instruments or equipment are found, the pilot uses the guidance in 14 CFR 91.213 for handling the inoperative system

Question 9

What records or documents should be checked to determine that the owner operator of an aircraft has complied with all required inspections and airworthiness directives?

Answer 9

The maintenance records (aircraft and engine logbooks). Each owner or operator of an aircraft shall ensure that maintenance personnel make appropriate entries in the aircraft maintenance records indicating the aircraft has been approved for return to service

Question 10

Who is responsible for ensuring that an aircraft is maintained in airworth condition?

Answer 10

The owner or operator of an aircraft is primarily responsible for maintaining an aircraft in an airworthy condition

Question 11

Describe some of the responsibilities an aircraft owner ha pertaining to aircraft documents, maintenance, and inspections of their aircraft?

Answer 11

Aircraft owners must:

a. Have a current airworthiness certificate and aircraft registration in the aircraft
b. Maintain the aircraft in an airworthy condition including compliance with all applicable airworthiness directives
c. Ensure maintenance in properly recorded
d. Keep abreast of current regulation concerning the operation of that aircraft
e. Notify the FAA civil aviation registry immediately of any change of permanent mailing address, or of the sale or export of the aircraft, or the loss of citizenship
f. Have a current FCC radio station license if equipped with radios, including emergency locator transmitter (ELT), if operated outside of the united states

Question 12

What are airworthiness directives?

Answer 12

An airworthiness directive is the medium by which the FAA notifies aircraft owners and other potentially interested persons of unsafe conditions that may exist because of design defects, maintenance, or other causes, and specifies the conditions under which the product may continue to be operated. ADs are regulatory in nature, and compliance is mandatory. It is the aircraft owner’s or doperator’s responsibility to ensure compliance with all pertinent ADs

Question 13

What are two type of ADs?

Answer 13

ADs are divided into two categories: Those of an emergency nature requiring immediate compliance prior to further flight, and those of a less urgent nature requiring compliance within a specified period of time

Question 14

When are emergency ADs issued?

Answer 14

An emergency AD is issued when an unsafe condition exists that requires immediate action by an owner/operator. The intent of an emergency AD is to rapidly correct an urgent safety of flight situation. All known owners and operators of affected U.S. registered aircraft or those aircraft that have an affected product installed will be sent a copy of an emergency AD

Question 15

What is a type certificate data sheet?

Answer 15

The FAA issues a type certificate when a new aircraft, engine, propeller is found to meet safety standards set forth by the FAA. The type certificate data sheet (TCDS) lists the specifications, conditions and limitations under which airworthiness requirements were met for the specified product, such as engine make and model, fuel type, engine limits, airspeed limits, maximum weight, minimum crew

Question 16

What is a supplemental type certificate?

Answer 16

A supplemental type certificate (STC) is the FAA’s approval of a major change in the type design of a previously approved type certificated product. The certificate authorizes an alteration to an airframe, engine, or component that has been granted an approved type certificate. Sometimes alterations are made that are not specified or authorized in the TCDS. When that condition exists, an STC will be issued. STCs are considered a part of the permanent records of an aircraft, and should be maintained as part of that aircrafts logs

Question 17

What is an aircraft registration certificate?

Answer 17

Before an aircraft can be flown legally, it must be registered with the FAA aircraft registry. The certificate of aircraft registration, which is issued to the owner as evidence of the registration, must be carried in the aircraft at all times

Question 18

Does an aircraft’s registration certificate have an expiration date?

Answer 18

Yes. A certificate of aircraft registration issued in accordance with 14 CFR 47.31 expires three years after the last day of the month in which it was issued. A temporary certification of registration is valid for no more than 90 days after the date of the applicant signs the application

Question 19

Where can you find information on the placards and marking information required to be in the airplane?

Answer 19

The principal source of information for identifying the required airplane flight manuals, approved manual materials, markings, and placards is the FAA type certificate data sheet or aircraft specification issued for each airplane eligible for an airworthiness certificate. The required placards are also reproduced in the limitations section of the AFM or as directed by an AD

Question 20

What are several examples of placards and markings required in the airplane?

Answer 20

Placards - day night VFR IFR placard, flight maneuvers permitted placard caution control lock remove before starting, maneuvering speed, compass calibration card
Markings - airspeed indicator markings, cockpit control markings, fuel, oil, and coolant filler openings

Question 21

What are the required tests and inspections to be performed on an aircraft? Include inspection for IFR.

Answer 21

A Annual inspection within the preceding 12 calendar months
A Airworthiness directives and life limited parts complied with
V VOR equipment check every 30 days
1 100 hour inspection
A Altimeter, altitude reporting equipments, and static pressure systems tested and inspected every 24 calendar months
T Transponder tests and inspections, every 24 calendar months
E Emergency locator transmitter, operation and battery condition inspected every 12 calendar months

Question 22

What is an annual inspection and which aircraft are required to have annual inspections?

Answer 22

An annual inspection is a complete inspection of an aircraft and engine, required by the regulations and is required to be accomplished every 12 calendar months on all certificated aircraft. Only an A&P technician holding an inspection authorization can conduct an annual inspection

Question 23

What aircraft are required to have 100 hour inspections?

Answer 23

a. All aircraft under 12,500 pounds (expect turbojet/ turboprop powered multi engine airplanes and turbine power rotorcraft), used to carry passengers for hire
b. Aircraft used for flight instruction for hire, when provided by the person giving the flight instruction

Question 24

If an aircraft is operated for hire, is it required to have a 100 hour inspection as well as an annual inspection?

Answer 24

Yes, if an aircraft is operated for hire it must have a 100 hour inspection as well as an annual inspection when due. If not operated for hire, only an annual inspection is required

Question 25

What is the difference between an annual inspection and a 100 hour inspection?

Answer 25

The main difference is who is allowed to perform these inspections. Only an A&P mechanic with an inspection authorization can perform an annual inspection. 100 hour inspections may be performed by an A&P mechanic. 14 CFR part 43, appendix D contains a list of items to be checked during inspections

Question 26

If an aircraft has been on a schedule of inspection every 100 hours, under what condition may it continue to operate beyond the 100 hours without a new inspection?

Answer 26

The 100 hour limitation may be exceeded by not more than 10 hours while en route to a place where the inspection can be done. the excess time used to reach a place where the inspection can be done must be included in computing the next 100 hours of time in service

Question 27

If the annual inspection date has passed, can an aircraft be operated to a location where the inspection can be performed?

Answer 27

An aircraft overdue for an annual inspection be operated under a special flight permit issued by the FAA for the purpose of flying the aircraft to a location where the annual inspection can be performed. Howerever, all applicable ADs that are due must be complied with before the flight

Question 28

What are special flight permits and when are they necessary?

Answer 28

A special flight permit may be issued for an aircraft that may not currently meet applicable airworthiness requirements but is capable of safe flight. These permits are typically issued for the following purposes:

a. Flying an aircraft to a base where repairs, alterations or maintenance are to be performed, or to a point of storage
b. Delivering or exporting an aircraft
c. Production flight testing new production aircraft
d. evacuating aircraft from areas of impending danger
e. Conducting customer demonstration flights in new production aircraft that have satisfactory complex production flight tests

Question 29

How are special flight permits obtained?

Answer 29

If a special flight permit is needed, assistance and the necessary forms may be obtained from the local FSDO or designated airworthiness representative

Question 30

After aircraft inspections have been made and defects have been repaired, who is responsible for determining that the aircraft is is an airworthy condition?

Answer 30

The PIC of a civil aircraft is responsible for determining whether that aircraft is in a condition for safe flight. The PIC shall discontinue the flight when unairworthy, mechanical, electrical, or structural conditions occur

Question 31

What regulations apply concerning the operation of an aircraft that has had alterations or repairs which may have substantially affected its operation in flight?

Answer 31

No person may operate or carry passengers in any aircraft that has undergone maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, or alteration that may have appreciably change its flight characteristics or substantially affected its operation in fight until an appropriately rated pilot with at least a private pilot certificate

Question 32

Can a pilot legally conduct flight operations with known inoperative equipment onboard?

Answer 32

Yes, under specific conditions. 14 CFR part 91 describes acceptable methods for the operation of an aircraft with certain inoperative instruments and equipment that are not essential for safe flight - they are:

a. Operation of an aircraft with a minimum equipment list (MEL), as authorized by 14 CFR 91.213 or
b. Operation of an aircraft without MEL under 14 CFR 91.213

Question 33

What limitations apply to aircraft operations conducted using the deferral provision of 14 CFR 91.213?

Answer 33

When inoperative equipment is found during preflight or prior to departure, the decision should be to cancel the flight, obtain maintenance prior to flight, or to defer the item or equipment. Maintenance deferrals are not used for inflight discrepancies. The manufacturer’s AFM/POH procedures are to be used in those situations

Question 34

During the preflight inspection in an aircraft that doesn’t have a MEL, you notice that an instrument or equipment item is inoperative. Describe how you will determine if the aircraft is still airworthy for flight.

Answer 34

I will ask myself the following questions to determine if I can legally fly the airplane with inoperative equipment item:
a. Are the inoperative instruments or equipment part of the VFR day type certification?
b. Are the inoperative instruments or equipment listed as required on the aircrafts equipment list or kinds of operations equipment list for the type of flight operations being conducted
c. Are the inoperative instruments or equipment required by 14 CFR 91.205, 91.207 or any other rule of 14 CFR part 91 for specific kind of flight operation being conducted?
d. Are the inoperative instruments or equipment required to be operation by an AD?
If the answer is yes to any of these questions, the aircraft is not airworthy and maintenance is required before I can fly. If the answer is no to any of these questions, then the inoperative instruments or equipment must be removed by an A&P from the aircraft, or deciatived and clacareded inoperative.

Question 35

What are minimum equipment lists?

Answer 35

The minimum equipment list is a precise listing of instructments, equipment and procedures that allows an aircraft to be operated under specific conditions with inoperative equipment. The MEL is the specific inoperative equipment document for a particular make and model aircraft by serial and registration numbers. The FAA approved MEL includes only those items of equipment that the FAA deems may be inoperative and still maintain an acceptable level of safety with appropriate conditions and limitations

Question 36

For an aircraft with an approved MEL, explain the decision sequence a pilot would use after discovering the position lights are inoperative.

Answer 36

With an approved MEL, if the position lights were discovered inoperative prior to a daytime flight, the pilot would make an entry in the maintenance record or discrepancy record provided for that purpose. The item is then either repaired or deferred in accordance with the MEL. Upon confirming that daytime flight with inoperative position lights is acceptable in accordance with the provisions of the MEL, the pilot would leave the position lights switch off, open the circuit breaker (or whatever action is called for in the procedures document), and placard the position light switch as inoperative

Question 37

Explain the limitations that apply to aircraft operations being conducted using an MEL.

Answer 37

The use of an MEL for a small, non turbine powered airplane operated under part 91 allows for the deferral of inoperative items or equipment. The FAA considers an approved MEL to be a supplemental type certificate (STC) issued to an aircraft by serial number and registration number. Once an operator requests an MEL, and a letter of authorization (LOA) is issued by the FAA, then the MEL becomes mandatory for that aircraft. All maintenance deferrals must be done in accordance with the terms and conditions of the MEL and the operator generated procedures document

Question 38

What instruments and equipment are required for VFR day flight?

Answer 38

For VFR flight during the day, the following instruments and equipment are required:
Anti Collision light system - aviation red or white for small airplanes certificated after March 11, 1996
Tachometer for each engine
Oil pressure gauge for each engine
Manifold pressure gauge (for each altitude engine)
Altimeter
Temperature gauge for each liquid cooled engine
Oil temperature gauge for each air cooled engine
Fuel gauge indicating the quantity in each tank
Flotation gear - if operated for hire over water beyond power off gliding distance from shore
Landing gear position indicator, if the airplane has retrabe gear
Airspeed indicator
Magnetic direction indicator
Emergency locator transmitter
Safety belts (and shoulder harness for each front seat in aircraft manufacture after 1978)

Question 39

What instruments and equipment are required for VFR night flight?

Answer 39

For VFR flight at night, all the instruments and equipment for VFR day flight are required, plus the following:
Fues - one spare set or three fuses of each kind required accessible to the pilot in flight
Landing light - if the aircraft is operated for hire
Anti Collision light system - approved aviation red or white
Position lights - (navigation lights)
Source of electrical energy - adequate for all installed electrical and radio equipment

Question 40

Who can perform maintenance on an aircraft?

Answer 40

FAA certified A&P mechanic, an A&P mechanic with inspector authorization, an appropriately rated FAA certificated repair station, or the aircraft manufacturer

Question 41

Define preventive maintenance.

Answer 41

Preventive maintenance means simple or minor preservation operations and the replacement of small standard parts not involving complex assembly operations. Certified pilots, excluding student pilots, sport pilots, and recreational pilots, may perform preventive maintenance on any aircraft that is owned or operated by them provided that aircraft is not used in air carrier service. 14 CFR part 43 appendix A identifies typical preventive maintenance operations which include such basic items as oil changes, wheel bearing lubrication, hydraulic fluid (brakes, landing gear system) refills

Question 42

What logbook entry information is required of the person performing preventive maintenance?

Answer 42

All pilots who maintain or perform preventive maintenance must make an entry in the maintenance record of the aircraft. The entry must include a description of the work, the date of completion of the work performed, and an entry of the pilot’s name, signature, certificate number, and type of certificate held