Chapter 2 Airworthiness Requirements A. Aircraft Certificates And Documents

Front 1

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

Back 1

Acronym: ARROW

A irworthiness certificate

R egistration certificate

R adio station license (if operating outside of U.S.; an FCC regulation)

O perating limitations-AFM/POH and supplements, placards, markings (14 CFR 91.9)

W eight and balance data (current)

Compass diversion card (14 CFR 23.1547)

External data plate/serial number (14 CFR 45.11)

Exam Tip: during the practical test you evaluator may wish to examine the various required aircraft documents (ARROW) during the PreFlight inspection, as well as the currency of any aeronautical charts, EFT data, etc. Prior to the test, verify that all of the necessary aircraft documentation, onboard databases and charts are current and available.

Front 2

What is an airworthiness certificate?

Back 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.

Front 3

What is the difference between standard and special airworthiness certificate?

Back 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.

Front 4

What is an experimental airworthiness certificate?

Back 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 a type certificate yet is in a condition for safe operation. Additionally, the 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.

Front 5

Does an airworthiness certificate have an expiration date?

Back 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, preventive maintenance, and alterations are performed in accordance with 14 CFR part 21, 43, in 91.

Front 6

Where must the airworthiness certificate be located?

Back 6

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

Front 7

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

Back 7

a. The aircraft must conform to its type design (type certificate). This is a tamed when the required and proper component are installed consistent with the drawings, specifications, and other data that are part of the tificate. Conformity includes applicable supplemental type certificate(s) (STC) and field approved 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.

Front 8

Explain how a pilot termans if an aircraft conforms to its approved type design and is in condition for safe operation. (14 CFR Part 21)

Back 8

a. For types of 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, preventative maintenance, repairs and alterations have been appropriately documented in the aircraft maintenance records.

b. For safe operation, the pilot conducts a thorough pre-flight inspection of the aircraft for wear and deterioration, structural damage, fuel leaks, tire wear, and 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.

Front 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? (14 CFR 91.405)

Back 9

The maintenance records (aircraft and engine logbook). 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.

Front 10

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

Back 10

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

Front 11

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

Back 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 is properly recorded.

e. Notify the FAA civil aviation registry immediately of any change of permanent mailing address, or of the sale for 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 transponder (ELT), if operated outside of the United States.

Front 12

What are "airworthiness directives"?

Back 12

An airworthiness directive (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. ADs are regulatory and nature, and compliance is mandatory. It is the aircraft owners or operators responsibility to ensure compliance with all pertinent ADs.

Front 13

What are the two types of ADs?

Back 13

ADs are divided into two categories: Those I have 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.

Front 14

When are emergency ADs issued?

Back 14

An emergency AD is issued when an unsafe condition exists that requires immediate action by the owner/operator.

Exam Tip: ADs and recurring ADs- Be capable of finding an exploding the status of all ADs and reoccurring ADs that exist for your aircraft. Locate and tap prior to the practical test.

Front 15

What is a type certificate data sheet?

Back 15

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) list 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, and speed limits, maximum weight, minimum crew, etc.

Front 16

What is a supplemental type certificate?

Back 16

A supplemental type certificate (STC) is the FAA approval of a major change in the type of a previously approved type certified product. The certificate authorizes an altercation 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 aircraft logs.

Front 17

What is an aircraft registration certificate?

Back 17

Before and 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.

Front 18

Does an aircraft registration have an expiration date?

Back 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 the applicant signs the application.

Front 19

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

Back 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" of the AFM or as directed by an AD.

Front 20

What are several examples of placards and markings required in the airplane? (14 CFR 23.1545 through 23.1567)

Back 20

Placards-Day-Night-VFR-IFR placards, "flight maneuvers permitted", "caution control lock remove before starting," "maneuvering speed," "compass calibration card," etc.

Markings- airspeed indicator markings, cockpit control markings, fuel, oil, and coolant filter openings, etc.