Airworthiness Requirements : A - Aircraft Certificates and Documents

Question 1

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

Answer 1

Airworthiness Certificate (14 CFR §91.203)
Registration Certificate (14 CFR §91.203)
Radio Station License (if operating outside of U.S.; an FCC regulation)
Operating Limitations—AFM/POH and supplements, placards, markings (14 CFR §91.9)
Weight and balance data (current)
Compass Deviation Card (14 CFR §23.1547)
External Data Plate/Serial Number (14 CFR §45.11)
(14 CFR 91.203, 91.9)

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.
(FAA-H-8083-25)

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.
(FAA-H-8083-25)

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.
(FAA-H-8083-25)

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 Parts 21, 43, and 91.
(FAA-H-8083-25)

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.
(14 CFR 91.203, FAA-H-8083-19)

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).

b. The aircraft must be in a condition for safe operation
(FAA-H-8083-19)

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 Parts 21, 43, and 91

b. For safe operation, the pilot conducts a thorough preflight inspection of the aircraft for wear and deterioration, structural damage, fluid leaks, tire wear, inoperative instruments and equipment, etc.
(14 CFR Part 21)

Question 9

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

Answer 9

The maintenance records (aircraft and engine logbooks).

14 CFR 91.405

Question 10

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

Answer 10

The owner or operator of an aircraft is primarily responsible for maintaining an aircraft in an airworthy condition.
(14 CFR 91.403)

Question 11

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

Answer 11

Aircraft owners must:
a. Have an airworthiness certificate and current aircraft registration in the aircraft.

b. Maintain the aircraft in an airworthy condition including compliance with all applicable Airworthiness Directives.
c. Ensure maintenance is properly recorded.
d. Keep abreast of current regulations 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 of 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.
(FAA-H-8083-25)

Question 12

What are airworthiness directives (AD)?

Answer 12

An AD 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.
(FAA-H-8083-25)

Question 13

What are the two types 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.
(FAA-H-8083-19)

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.
(FAA-H-8083-19)

Question 15

While reviewing the aircraft logbooks, you discover that your aircraft is not in compliance with an AD’s specified time or date. Are you allowed to continue to operate that aircraft until the next required maintenance inspection? Do the regulations allow any kind of buffer?

Answer 15

No. The required compliance time/date is specified in each AD and no person may operate the affected product after expiration.
(AC 39-7)

Question 16

You determine that you need to fly your aircraft with an expired AD to another airport where a repair facility can do the work required by the AD. How can you accomplish this?

Answer 16

Unless the AD states otherwise, you may apply for a special flight permit to the FAA following the procedures in 14 CFR §21.199.
(AC 39-7, 14 CFR 21.199)

Question 17

What is a type certificate data sheet?

Answer 17

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.
(FAA-H-8083-30)

Question 18

What is a supplemental type certificate?

Answer 18

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.
(FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-30, AC 21-40)

Question 19

What is an aircraft registration certificate?

Answer 19

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.
(FAA-H-8083-25)

Question 20

Does an aircraft’s registration certificate have an expiration date? (14 CFR 47.31, 47.40)

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

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

Answer 21

The principle source of information is the FAA type certificate data sheet or aircraft specification issued for each airplane eligible for an airworthiness certificate.
(FAA-H-8083-25, AC 60-6, 14 CFR 91.9, 14 CFR 23.1541)

Question 22

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

Answer 22

Placards — Day-Night-VFR-IFR placard, “Flight Maneuvers Permitted” placard, “Caution Control Lock Remove before Starting,” “Maneuvering Speed,” “Compass Calibration Card,” etc.

Markings — Airspeed indicator markings, cockpit control markings, fuel, oil, and coolant filler openings, etc.

(14 CFR 23.1545 through 23.1567)