Aircraft Certificates and Documents Flashcards
Airworthiness Requirements (20 cards)
What documents are required on board an aircraft prior to flight? (14
CFR 91.203, 91.9)
A irworthiness Certificate (14 CFR 91.203)
R egistration Certificate (14 CFR 91.203)
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 Deviation Card (14 CFR 23.1547)
External Data Plate/Serial Number (14 CFR 45.11)
What is an airworthiness certificate?
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.
What is the difference between standard and special airworthiness
certificates?
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.
What is an experimental airworthiness certificate? (FAA-H-8083-25)
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.
Does an airworthiness certificate have an expiration date? (FAA-H8083-25)
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.
Where must the airworthiness certificate be located? (14 CFR 91.203,
FAA-H-8083-19)
The certificate must be displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is
legible to passengers or crew.
For an aircraft to be considered airworthy, what two conditions must
be met? (FAA-H-8083-19)
a. The aircraft must conform to its type design (type certificate). This is
attained when the required and proper components are installed 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.
b. The aircraft must be in a condition for safe operation, referring to the
condition of the aircraft in relation to wear and deterioration.
Explain how a pilot determines if an aircraft conforms to its approved
type design and is in a condition for safe operation. (14 CFR Part 21)
a. For type 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,
preventive maintenance, repairs and alterations have been appropriately
documented in the aircraft’s maintenance records.
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. 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.
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)
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.
Who is responsible for ensuring that an aircraft is maintained in an
airworthy condition? (14 CFR 91.403)
The owner or operator of an aircraft is primarily responsible for maintaining
an aircraft in an airworthy condition.
Describe some of the responsibilities an aircraft owner has pertaining
to aircraft documents, maintenance, and inspections of their aircraft?
(FAA-H-8083-25)
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.
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.
What are “airworthiness directives”? (FAA-H-8083-25)
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 in nature, and compliance is mandatory. It is the
aircraft owner’s or operator’s responsibility to ensure compliance with all
pertinent ADs.
What are the two types of ADs? (FAA-H-8083-19)
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.
When are emergency ADs issued? (FAA-H-8083-19)
An emergency AD is issued when an 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 or those aircraft that have an
affected product installed will be sent a copy of an emergency AD.
What is a type certificate data sheet? (FAA-H-8083-30)
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.
What is a supplemental type certificate? (FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H8083-30, AC 21-40)
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 that aircraft’s logs.
What is an aircraft registration certificate? (FAA-H-8083-25)
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.
Does an aircraft’s registration certificate have an expiration date?
(14 CFR 47.31, 47.40)
Yes. A Certificate of Aircraft Registration issued in accordance with 14 CFR
§47.31 expires SEVEN 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.
Where can you find information on the placards and marking
information required to be in the airplane? (FAA-H-8083-25, AC 60-6,
14 CFR 91.9, 14 CFR 23.1541)
The principle 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
AD.
What are several examples of placards and markings required in the
airplane? (14 CFR 23.1545 through 23.1567)
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
