Certificates And Documents

Question 1

What are the eligibility requirements for a private pilot (airplane) certificate? (14 CFR 61.103)

Answer 1

• Be at least 17 years of age.
• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
• Hold a U.S. student pilot certificate, sport pilot certificate, or recreational pilot certificate.
• Hold at least a current Third Class medical certificate.
• Received the required ground and flight training endorsements.
• Meet the applicable aeronautical experience requirements.
• Passed the required knowledge and practical tests.


Question 2

What privileges and limitations apply to a private pilot? (14 CFR 61.113)

Answer 2

No person who holds a private pilot certificate may act as a pilot-in-command of an aircraft that is carrying passengers or property for compensation or hire; nor may that person, for compensation or hire, act as pilot-in-command of an aircraft.

Question 3

To act as a required pilot flight crewmember of a civil aircraft, what must a pilot have in his/her physical possession or readily accessible in the aircraft? (14 CFR 61.3)

Answer 3

• A pilot certificate
• A photo identification
• A medical certificate

Question 4

What is the definition of a high-performance airplane, and what must you do to act as pilot-in-command of such an airplane? (14 CFR 61.31)

Answer 4

A high-performance airplane is an airplane with an engine of more than 200 horsepower.

• Must have received and logged ground and flight training from an authorized flight instructor in a high-performance airplane and have been found proficient in the operation and systems of that airplane.
• Must have received and logged a one-time endorsement in your logbook from an authorized instructor who certifies you are proficient to operate a high-performance airplane.

Question 5

Other than high-performance and complex aircraft, what other types of aircraft (ASEL) require specific training and logbook endorsements from an appropriately rated flight instructor? (14 CFR 61.31)

Answer 5

• High-Altitude Airplane — Has a service ceiling or maximum operating altitude (whichever is lower), above 25,000 feet MSL.

• Tailwheel Airplane

Question 6

What is the definition of a complex airplane, and what must you do to act as pilot-in-command of such an airplane? (14 CFR 61.31)

Answer 6

An airplane that has a retractable landing gear, flaps, and a controllable pitch propeller, including airplanes equipped with a full-authority digital engine control (FADEC).

To act as pilot-in-command of such an airplane, you must have:

*Received and logged ground and flight training from an authorized flight instructor in a complex airplane and have been found proficient in the operation and systems of that airplane.

*Received a one-time endorsement in your logbook from an authorized instructor who certifies you are proficient to operate a complex airplane.

Question 7

With respect to certification, privileges, and limitations of airmen, define the terms: “Category,” “Class,” and “Type.” (14 CFR Part 1)

Answer 7

Category — a broad classification of aircraft; i.e., airplane, rotorcraft, glider, etc.

Class — a classification of aircraft within a category having similar operating characteristics; i.e., single-engine land, multi-engine land, etc.

Type — a specific make and basic model of aircraft including modifications that do not change its handling or flight characteristics; i.e., DC-9, B-737, C-150, etc.

Question 8

What are the requirements to remain current as a private pilot? (14 CFR 61.56, 61.57)

Answer 8

Within the preceding 24 months, accomplished a flight review given in an aircraft for which that pilot is rated by an authorized instructor and received a logbook endorsement certifying that the person has satisfactorily completed the review.

Question 9

What are the requirements to carry passengers private pilot? (14 CFR 61.56, 61.57)

Answer 9

Must have made, within the preceding 90 days, three takeoffs and landings as the sole manipulator of flight controls of an aircraft of the same category and class and, if a type rating is required, of the same type.

Question 10

What are the requirements to carry passengers at night as a private pilot? (14 CFR 61.56, 61.57)

Answer 10

Must have, within the preceding 90 days, made at least three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop during that period in an aircraft of the same category, class, and type (if a type is required) of aircraft to be used.

Question 11

To exercise the privileges of a private pilot certificate, what medical certificate is required, and how long is it valid? (14 CFR 61.23)

Answer 11

You must hold at least a third-class medical certificate.

If under 40 at time of examination - expires after 60 months (5 years)

If 40 or over at time of examination - expires after 24 months (2 years)

Question 12

If a pilot changes his/her permanent mailing address and fails to notify the FAA Airmen Certification branch of the new address, how long may the pilot continue to exercise the privileges of his/her pilot certificate? (14 CFR 61.60)

Answer 12

30 days after the date of the move

Question 13

What documents are required on board an aircraft prior to flight? (14 CFR 91.203, 91.9)

Answer 13

External Data Plate
Compass Deviation Card

A irworthiness Certificate
R egistration Certificate
R adio Station license (if flying outside US)
O wner’s manual or operating limitations
W eight and balance data


Question 14

How can a pilot determine if his/her aircraft is equipped with a Mode C altitude encoding transponder?

Answer 14

By referencing the current weight and balance equipment list for that aircraft.

Question 15

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

Answer 15

Yes

All initial aircraft registrations issued on or after October 1, 2010, will expire three years after the last day of the month in which they were issued.

Question 16

Who is responsible for ensuring that an aircraft is maintained in an airworthy condition? (14 CFR 91.403)

Answer 16

The owner or operator of the aircraft

Question 17

After aircraft inspections have been made and defects have been repaired, who is responsible for determining that the aircraft is in an airworthy condition? (14 CFR 91.7)

Answer 17

The Pilot-in-Command

Question 18

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? (14 CFR 91.405)

Answer 18

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 19

What regulations apply concerning the operation of an aircraft that has had alterations or repairs which may have substantially affected its operation in flight? (14 CFR 91.407)

Answer 19

You may not carry passengers in that aircraft until an appropriately rated pilot with at least a private pilot certificate:


• flies the aircraft;
• makes an operational check of the maintenance performed or alteration made
• logs the flight in the aircraft records.

Question 20

What is an Airworthiness Certificate and how long does it remain valid?

Answer 20

• Issued by the FAA once inspected and found to meet the requirements of 14 CFR Part 21, and is in a condition for safe operation.
• Must be displayed in the aircraft so that it is legible to passengers or crew.
• May be transferred with the aircraft except when sold to a foreign purchaser.
• Standard Airworthiness Certificates remain in effect as long as the aircraft receives the required maintenance and is properly registered in the United States.

Question 21

Can a pilot conduct flight operations in an aircraft with known inoperative equipment? (AC 91‑67, 14 CFR 91.213)

Answer 21

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 aircraft with a Minimum Equipment List (MEL), as authorized by 14 CFR §91.213(a)
b) Operation of aircraft without a MEL under 14 CFR §91.213(d)

Question 22

What are Minimum Equipment Lists?

Answer 22

The Minimum Equipment List (MEL) is a precise listing of instruments, equipment and procedures that allows an aircraft to be operated under specific conditions with inoperative equipment.

Question 23

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

Answer 23

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

Question 24

What limitations apply to aircraft operations being conducted using MELs?

Answer 24

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 airplane. All maintenance deferrals must be done in accordance with the MEL and the operator-generated procedures document.

Question 25

What are the procedures to follow when using 14 CFR §91.213(d) for deferral of inoperative equipment?

Answer 25

The pilot determines whether the inoperative equipment is required by type design, the regulations, or ADs.

If the inoperative item is not required, and the airplane can be safely operated without it, the deferral may be made

Then the pilot removes or deactivates the inoperative item, and places an INOPERATIVE placard near the appropriate switch, control, or indicator.


If deactivation or removal involves maintenance (removal always will), it must be accomplished by certificated maintenance personnel. For example, if the position lights (installed equipment) were discovered to be inoperative prior to a daytime flight, the pilot would follow the requirements of section 91.213(d).

Question 26

What are the required maintenance inspections for aircraft?

Answer 26

a) Annual inspection — within the preceding 12 calendar months

b) 100-hour inspection — if carrying any person (other than a crewmember) for hire or giving flight instruction for hire.

Question 27

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? (14 CFR 91.409)

Answer 27

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 28

What is the difference between an annual inspection and a 100-hour inspection? (14 CFR Part 43)

Answer 28

The only difference is who is allowed to perform these inspections.

Annual Inspections: A&P mechanic with IA only
100-hr inspections: A&P mechanic (no IA required)

Question 29

Be capable of locating the required maintenance and equipment inspections for your aircraft in the aircraft and engine logbooks. What should these include? (14 CFR 91.409, 91.171, 91.411, 91.413, and 91.207)

Answer 29

A nnual inspection - Every 12 calendar months

V OR check (if used for IFR) - every 30 days

1 00-hour (for hire or flight instruction)

A ltimeter, Altitude reporting equipment, and Static pressure systems tested and inspected (for IFR ops), every 24 calendar months

T ransponder tests and inspections - every 24 calendar months

E LT, operation and battery condition inspected every 12 calendar months

Question 30

What are some of the responsibilities an aircraft owner has pertaining to aircraft documents, maintenance and inspections of their aircraft?

Answer 30

Aircraft owners must:

• Have a current Airworthiness Certificate and Aircraft Registration in the aircraft.
• Maintain the aircraft in an airworthy condition including compliance with all applicable Airworthiness Directives.
• Ensure maintenance is properly recorded.
• Keep abreast of current regulations concerning the operation of that aircraft.
• 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.
• Have a current FCC radio station license if equipped with radios, including emergency locator transmitter (ELT), if operated outside of the United States.

Question 31

Define “preventive maintenance.”

Answer 31

Simple or minor preservation operations and the replacement of small standard parts not involving complex assembly operations.

Certificated 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 identifies typical preventive maintenance operations which include such basic items as oil changes, wheel bearing lubrication, hydraulic fluid (brakes, landing gear system) refills.

Question 32

What are “Special Flight Permits,” and when are they necessary? (14 CFR 91.213, 14 CFR 21.197)

Answer 32

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:


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


Question 33

How are “Special Flight Permits” obtained?

Answer 33

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 34

What are “Airworthiness Directives” (ADs)?

Answer 34

An AD is the medium the FAA uses to notify aircraft owners and other potentially interested persons of unsafe conditions that may exist because of design defects, maintenance, or other causes, and to specify the conditions under which the product may continue to be operated.

ADs compliance is mandatory.

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 35

Are electronic flight bags (EFBs) approved for use as a replacement for paper reference material (POH & supplements, etc.) in the cockpit?

Answer 35

Yes; EFBs can be used during all phases of flight operations in lieu of paper reference material when the information displayed is the functional equivalent of the paper reference material replaced and is current, up-to-date, and valid. It is recommended that a secondary or back-up source of aeronautical information necessary for the flight be available.