Airworthiness Requirements

Question 1

What is an airworthniess certificate

Answer 1

Certificate issued by FAA to an aircraft that has been proven to meet minimum design/manufacturing requirements and is safe to fly. There are special and standard certificates

Question 2

Difference between standard and special airworthiness certificates

Answer 2

Standard (white paper) - for normal, utility, acrobatic, commuter, or transport category aircraft

Special (pink) - for primary, restricted, limited category aircraft or LSA’s

Question 3

Do airworthniess certs expire?

Answer 3

Nope. It is valid as long as the aircraft meets its approved type design, is in safe condition to fly, and all maintenance is in accordance with various FARs

Question 4

Where must an AW cert be located?

Answer 4

In the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it can be seen by crew or pax

Question 5

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

Answer 5

1. must conform to its type design or type certificate

2. safe condition for operation in relation to wear and deterioration

Question 6

How can a pilot determine if the aircraft conforms to type design and is safe to fly?

Answer 6

1. Ensure all required inspections, maintenance, preventive mx, repairs and alterations have been documented in mx records
2. Thorough preflight inspection for wear and deterioration, structural damage, fluid leaks, tire wear, ino instruments or equipment, etc. Use guideance in 91.213 for inop equipment

Question 7

What records can be checked to determine that owner/operator has complied with required insepctions and AD’s?

Answer 7

Maintenance records of aircraft and engine (logbooks). The owner/operator is responsible for maintaining an aircraft in an airworthy condition

Question 8

Describe some of the responsibilities an aircraft owner has pertaining to documents, mx, and inspections

Answer 8

a. current airworthiness cert and registration
b. maintain the aircraft and comply with all AD’s
c. Keep up with current regulations concerning the operation of the aircraft
d. mx is properly recorded
e. Notify FAA Civil aviation registry of any change of permanent mailing address, or of the sale/export of the aircraft
f. current FCC radio license including ELT if operated outside USA

Question 9

What is an airworthiness directive?

Answer 9

FAA notifies aircraft owenrs and others of unsafe conditions that may exist because of design defects, mx, or other causes and specifies the conditions to continue operating the plane. They are regulatory, and complaince is mandatory. Owner/operator is responsible

Question 10

Two types of AD’s

Answer 10

emergency requiring immediate complaince prior to future flight

less urgent requiring compliance within a specified period of time

Question 11

What is a type certificate data sheet TCDS

Answer 11

Certificate for a new aircraft, engine, propeller, etc is found to meet safety standards set by FAA. Lists specs, conditions, and limitations under which airworthniess requirements were met for the plane: such as engine make/model, fuel type, engine limits, airspeed limits, max weight, minimum crew, etc

Question 12

What is a supplemental type cert?

Answer 12

Authories an alteration to an airframe, engine, or component

Question 13

Does an aircraft registration expire?

Answer 13

Yes, 3 years at the end of the month in which it was granted.

Question 14

Examples of placards & markings?

Answer 14

Placards: Day-night-VFR-IFR placard, flight maneuvers permitted, maneuvering speed, compass calibration card

Markings: airspeed markings, fuel, oil, coolant filler openings, etc