Airworthiness Requirements

Question 1

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

Answer 1

Airworthiness Certificate

Registration Certificate

Radio Station License (if operating outside of U.S.)

Operating Limitations (AFM/POH and supplements, placards, markings)

Weight and balance data (current)

External Data Plate/Sercial Number

Compass Deviation Card

Question 2

What is an airworthiness certificate?

Answer 2

An airworthiness certificate is issued by the FAA to all aircraft that have been proven to meet the minimum requirements of 14 CFR Part 21 that are in condition for safe operation. Under any circumstances, the aircraft must meet the requirements of the original type certificate or it is no longer airworthy. Airworthiness certificates come in two different classifications: standard airworthiness and special airworthiness.

Question 3

If the airworthiness certificate of a particular aircraft indicated one of the following categories, what significance would this have?

Normal Category

Answer 3

Aircraft structure capable of withstanding a load factor of 3.8 Gs without structural failure. Applicable to aircraft inteded for non-aerobatic operation.

Question 4

If the airworthiness certificate of a particular aircraft indicated one of the following categories, what significance would this have?

Utility Category

Answer 4

Aircraft structure must be capable of withstanding a load factor of 4.4 Gs. This would usually permit limited aerobatics, including spins (if approved for the aircraft).

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 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

1. The aircraft must conform to its type design (type certifcate). Conformity to type design is attained when the required and proper components are installed to be 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.
2. The aircraft must be in a condition for safe operation, referring to the condition of the aircraft with 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

1. To determine that the aircraft conforms to its type design, a pilot must determine that the maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations have been performed in accordance with 14 CFR Parts 21,43, and 91 and that the aircraft is registered in the United States. The pilot does this by ensuring that all required inspections, maintenance, preventive maintenance, repairs, and alterationshave been appropriately documented in the aircraft’s maintenance records.
2. To determine that the aircraft is in condition for safe operation, the pilot conducts a thorough preflight inspection of the aircraft of wear and deterioration, structrural damage, fluid leaks, tire wear, inoperative instruments and equipment, etc. 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 equipment.

Question 9

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

Answer 9

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

Question 10

What are “airworthiness directives”?

Answer 10

An airworthiness directive (AD) is the medium the FAA uses to notify aircraft owners and other potentially interested persons of unsafe conditions that may exist becasue of design defects, maintenance, or other causes, and to specify 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 operator’s responsibility to ensure compliance with all pertinent ADs.

Question 11

What are the two types of ADs?

Answer 11

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 12

When are emergency ADs issued?

Answer 12

An emergency AD is issued when as 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 that are known to have an affected product installed will be sent a copy of an emergency AD.

Question 13

What are Special AIrworthiness Information Bulletins? Are they regulatory?

Answer 13

A Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) is an information tool that alerts, educates, and makes recommendations to the aviation community. SAIBs contain non-regulatory information and guidance that does not meet the criteria for an airworthiness directive (AD). Guidance on when to use an SAIB and how to develop and issue an SAIB is provided in FAA Order 8110.100. Additional information can be found at http://rgl.faa.gov/

Question 14

What is a type certificate data sheet?

Answer 14

The FAA issues a type certificate when a new aircraft, engine, propeller, etc., 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, etc.

Question 15

What is a supplemental type certificate?

Answer 15

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 aircraft’s logs.

Question 16

What is an aircraft registration certificate?

Answer 16

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 17

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

Answer 17

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 18

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

Answer 18

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 airworthiness directive (AD).

Question 19

Are airplane flight manuals (AFM) required to be on board all aircraft?

Answer 19

14 CFR §91.9 requires that all U.S.-registered aircraft have available in the aircraft a current, approved AFM, or if applicable, any combination of approved manual materials, markings, and placards. Generally, all aircraft manufactured after March 1, 1979, must have an AFM. For airplanes type-certificated at gross weights of 6,000 pounds or under which were not required to have an AFM, the required information may be an AFM or any combination of approved manual material, markings, and placards. These materials must be current and available in the airplane during operation.

Question 20

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

Answer 20

Annual (12 calendar months)

Airworthiness Directives and life-limited parts

VOR check (30 days)

100-hour inspection (for hire/flight instruction)

Altimeter, altitude reporting equipment (24 calendar months)

Transponder tests and inspections (24 calendar months)

ELT (12 calendar months)

Static pressure systems (24 calendar months)

Question 21

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

Answer 21

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 22

What aircraft are required to have 100-hour inspections?

Answer 22

1. All aircraft under 12,500 pounds (except turbojet/turbopropeller-powered multi-engine airplanes and turbine-powered rotorcraft) used to carry passengers for hire.
2. Aircraft used for flight instruction for hire, when provided by the person giving the flight instruction.

Question 23

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

Answer 23

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, it must have an annual inspection only.

Question 24

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 24

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 25

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

Answer 25

An aircraft overdue for an annual inspection may 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. However, all applicable ADs that are due must be complied with before the flight.

Question 26

What are “Special Flight Permits,” and when are they necessary?

Answer 26

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:

1. Flying an aircraft to a base where repairs, alterations or maintenance are to be performed, or to a point of storage.
2. Delivering or exporting an aircraft.
3. Production flight testing new-production aircraft.
4. Evacuating aircraft from areas of impending danger.
5. Conducting customer demonstration flights in new-production aircraft that have satisfactorily completed production flight tests.

Question 27

How are Special Flight Permits obtained?

Answer 27

If a special flight permit is needed, assistance and the necessary forms may be obtained from the local FSDO or Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR).

Question 28

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

Answer 28

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

Question 29

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

Answer 29

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

1. flies the aircraft;
2. makes an operational check of the maintenance performed or alteration made; and
3. logs the flight in the aircraft records.

Question 30

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

Answer 30

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. These acceptable methods are:

1. Operation of an aircraft with a Minimum Equipment List (MEL), as authorized by 14 CFR §91.213(a), or
2. Operation of an aircraft without a MEL under 14 CFR §91.213(d)

Question 31

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

Answer 31

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 defer the item or equipment. Maintenance deferrals are not used for inflight descrepancies. The manufacturer’s AFM/POH procedures are to be used in those situations.

Question 32

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 32

I will ask myself the following questions to determine if I can legally fly the airplane with the inoperative equipment item:

1. Are the inoperative instruments or equipment part of the VFR-day type certification?
2. Are the inoperative instruments or equipment listed as “Required” on the aircraft’s equipment list or “Kinds of Operations Equipment List (KOEL)” for the kind of flight operation being conducted?
3. Are the inoperative instruments or equipment required by 14 CFR §91.205, §91.207, or any other rule of 14 CFR Part 91 for the specific kind of flight operation being conducted (e.g., VFR, IFR, day, night)?
4. Are the inoperative instruments or equipment required to be operational by an airworthiness directive (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 all of these questions, then the inoperative instruments or equipment must be removed (by an A&P) from the aircraft or be deactivated and placarded “Inoperative.”

Question 33

What is a KOEL?

Answer 33

Kinds of Operations Equipment List

Identifies the systems and equipment upon which type certification for each kind of operation was predicated (i.e., day or night VFR, day or night IFR, icing conditions) and which must be installed and operable for the particular kind of operation indicated. The KOEL is located in the Limitations section of the FAA-approved airplane flight manual.

Question 34

What is an MEL?

Answer 34

Minimum Equipment List

The MEL is a precise listing of instruments, 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 (e.g., BE-200, N12345). 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 35

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

Answer 35

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 acceptavle 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 swich as INOPERATIVE.

Question 36

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

Answer 36

The use of an MEL for a small, non-turbine-powered airplaine 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 37

What instruments and equipment are required for VFR day flight?

Answer 37

For VFR flight during the day, the following instruments and equipment are required:

Anticollision light system

Tachometer for each engine

Oil pressure guage for each engine

Manifold pressure guage (for each altitude engine)

Altimeter

Temperature guage for each liquid-cooled engine

Oil temperature guage for each air-cooled engine

Fuel guage indicating the quantity in each tank

Floatation gear (for hire over water beyond glide to shore)

Landing gear position indicator

Airspeed indicator

Magnetic direction indicator

ELT

Safety belts (and shoulder harnesses for each front seat)

Question 38

What instruments and equipment are required for VFR night flight?

Answer 38

For VFR flight at night, all the instruments and equipment for VFR day flight are required plus the following:

Fuses (one spare set or three of each kind)

Landing light (for hire)

Anticollision light system

Position lights (navigation lights)

Source of electrical energy (adequate for all installed equipment)