Airworthiness Requirements Flashcards
What documents are required on board the aircraft prior to flight?
Airworthiness Certificate
Registration Certificate
Radio station license (if operating outside the US)
Operating Limitations (Aircraft Manual/Operating Handbook, placards, markings)
Weight and balance data
Compass deviation card
Serial Number/ External Data Plate
What is an airworthiness certificate?
Certificate issued by the FAA showing that the aircraft meets the minimum design and manufacturing requirements and is in condition for safe operation.
What is the difference between standard and special airworthiness?
Standard - White paper, issued for normal, utility, acrobatic, commuter or transport category aircraft.
Special - Pink paper, issued for primary, restricted or limited category and light sport aircraft.
What is an experimental airworthiness certificate?
Issued for an aircraft that does not have a type certificate or does not conform to its type certificate but it is safe to operate. Also issued to kit-built aircraft without the supervision and QC of production certificate holders.
Does an airworthiness certificate expire?
No. It remains valid for the life of the aircraft as long as it meets it type design, maintenance and it is in safe operating conditions. Alterations performed in accordance to parts 21, 43, and 91.
Where must the airworthiness certificate be located?
Must be displayed in the cabin or cockpit, legible to passengers and crew.
What two conditions must be met for an aircraft to be considered airworthy?
- The aircraft must conform to its type design (certificate). Includes required and proper components, specifications, applicable supplementql type certificates and field-approval alterations.
- Must be in condition for safe operation in relation to wear and tear.
How can a pilot determine if an aircraft conforms to its approved type design and is in condition for safe operation?
a. Maintenance, alterations have been performed in accordance to Parts 21, 43, 91 and that the aircraft is registered. The pilot ensures all required inspections, maintenance, preventive maintenance, repairs and alterations have been documented in the maintenance records.
b. For safe operation a pilot conducts a thorough preflight inspection for wear, deterioration, structural damage, fluid leaks, tire wear, instruments, equipment, etc. If an unsafe condition exists or inoperative instruments are found the pilot uses the guidance in 14 CFR 91.213
What are airworthiness directives (AD)?
How the FAA notifies aircraft owners of unsafe conditions that may exist due to design defects, maintenance or other causes and specifies the conditionunder which the aircraft may continue to operate. They are regulatory and mandatory.
What records or documents should be checked to determine that the owner/operator has complied with all required inspections and airworthiness directives?
Maintenance records - aircraft and engine logbooks - owner/operator must ensure maintenance personnel make appropriate entries in the maintenance records indicating approval for return to service.
Who is responsible for ensuring an aircraft is maintained in an airworthy condition?
The owner or operator
Describe the responisibility an owner has pertaining to documents, maintenance and inspection of their aircraft?
a. Have a current airworthiness certificate and registration in the aircraft
b. Maintain the aircraft in airworthy conditions (including compliance with AD)
c. Maintenance is properly recorded
d. Stay up to date of current regulations
e. Notify FAA after a change in address, sale or export of aircraft, loss of citizenship
f. Have a current FCC radio station license including emergency locator transmitter if operating outside the US
Two types of AD
Emergency nature - require immediate compliance
Less urgent nature - require compliance in a specific time period
When are emergency ADs issued?
When unsafe conditions that require immediate owner/operator action. They intend to correct an urgent flight safety concern. All known registered aircraft will be notified of the AD.
You discover that your aircraft is not in compliance with an AD specified date. Are you allowed to continue operating until the next maintenance period?
No. No person may continue to operate an affected product after the expiration stated without an Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) for a change in compliance time.
