1. Airworthiness refers to the legal and physical state of an aircraft to safely operate. An airworthy aircraft conforms to its approved design and is in a condition for safe operation. 2. Responsibility for airworthiness is shared between the pilot, owner/operator, and maintenance personnel. The pilot is ultimately responsible for determining if an aircraft is airworthy before each flight. 3. Aircraft must have a valid airworthiness certificate and undergo regular inspections and maintenance to remain airworthy. Repairs must be properly documented in the maintenance logs.

1. Aircraft Airworthiness
BY – VISHAL RANA

2. AIRWORTHINESS
Airworthiness has a number of aspects
which relate to the legal and physical state
of an aircraft. According to ICAO Annex 8,
the term airworthy means “The status of an
aircraft, engine, propeller or part when it
conforms to its approved design and is
in a condition for safe operation.”

3. Who is responsible for
Airworthiness?
• This is a shared responsibility.
• The pilot is ultimately responsible!
• As a pilot, you need to understand this.
• As a flight instructor, you need to make
sure that your students understand this.
• Operating rules prohibit the operation of
an aircraft that is not airworthy.

4. 91.3 Responsibility and authority
of the pilot in command.
• (a) The pilot in command of an aircraft is
directly responsible for, and is the final
authority as to, the operation of that
aircraft.

5. 91.7 Civil Aircraft Airworthiness
• (a) No person may operate a civil aircraft
unless it is in an airworthy condition.
• (b) The pilot in command of a civil aircraft
is responsible for determining whether that
aircraft is in condition for safe flight. The
pilot in command shall discontinue the
flight when unairworthy mechanical,
electrical, or structural conditions occur.

6. 91.403 General.
• (a)The owner or operator of an aircraft is primarily
responsible for maintaining that aircraft in an airworthy
condition.
(b)No person may perform maintenance, preventive
maintenance, or alterations on an aircraft other than as
prescribed in this subpart and other applicable regulations.
(c)No person may operate an aircraft for which a
manufacturer's maintenance manual or instructions for
continued airworthiness has been issued that contains an
airworthiness limitations section unless the mandatory
replacement times, inspection intervals, and related
procedures specified in that section or alternative inspection
intervals and related procedures set forth in an operations
specification approved by the Administrator under part 121 or
135 of this chapter or in accordance with an inspection
program have been complied with.
•
•

7. 91.405 Maintenance required.
•
•
Each owner or operator of an aircraft—
(a)Shall have that aircraft inspected as prescribed in subpart E
of this part and shall between required inspections, except as
provided in paragraph (c) of this section, have discrepancies
repaired as prescribed in part 43 of this chapter;
(b)Shall ensure that maintenance personnel make appropriate
entries in the aircraft maintenance records indicating the aircraft
has been approved for return to service;
(c)Shall have any inoperative instrument or item of equipment,
permitted to be inoperative repaired, replaced, removed, or
inspected at the next required inspection; and
(d)When listed discrepancies include inoperative instruments or
equipment, shall ensure that a placard has been installed as
required .
•
•
•

8. Airworthiness Defined
Two conditions must be met before an aircraft can be
considered “airworthy”:
• The aircraft must conform to its type certificate (TC);
that is, when the aircraft configuration and the
components installed are consistent with the drawing,
specifications, and other data that are part of the TC,
and include any supplemental TC and field-approved
alterations incorporated into the aircraft.
• The aircraft must be in condition for safe operation;
this refers to the condition of the aircraft relative to
wear and deterioration.

9. Certificate of
Airworthiness
The Certificate of Airworthiness (C of A) or
Airworthiness Certificate is the formal
document issued by the National Aviation
Authority (NAA) to certify that an aircraft is
airworthy. Every individual aircraft has to
gain its own C of A which is achieved when
it can be shown to conform to the
certificated Type Design and is in a
condition for safe operation. As a general
rule civil aircraft are not allowed to fly unless
they have a valid C of A.

10. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
STANDARD AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATE
1. N
REG
ATIONALITY AND
ISTRATION MARKS
N12345
2. MANUFACTURER AND MODEL
Boeing 747-400
3. AIRCRAFT SERIAL
NUMBER
197142
4. CATEGORY
Transport
4
TE OF ISSUANCE
11/29/92
FAA REPRESENTATIVE
John Q. Publican
John Q. Publican
DESIGNATION NUMBER
DMIR ANM 123
Any alteration, reproduction, or misuse of this certificate may be punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000, or imprisonment not
exceeding 3 years, or both. THIS CERTIFICATE MUST BE DISPLAYED IN THE AIRCRAFT IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE
FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS.
FAA Form 8100-2
5. AUTHORITY AND BASIS FOR ISSUE
This airworthiness certificate is issued pursuant to the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 and certifies that as of the date
of issuance, the aircraft to which issued has been inspected and found to conform to the type certificate, therefor, to
be in condition for safe operation, and has been shown to meet the requirements of the applicable comprehensive
and detailed airworthiness code as provided by Annex 8 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, except as
noted herein:
EXEMPTION NO. 1013A FAR 25.471(b): Allows lateral displacement of C.G. from airplane
centerline.
6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Unless sooner surrendered, suspended, revoked, or a termination date is otherwise established by the Administrator,
this airworthiness certificate is effective as long as the maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations are
performed in accordance with Parts 21, 43, and 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, as appropriate, and the aircraft
is registered in the United States.
DA

11. TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Unless sooner surrendered, suspended, revoked, or a termination
date is otherwise established by the Administrator, this
airworthiness certificate is effective as long as the maintenance,
preventive maintenance, and alterations are performed.

12. A TYPE CERTIFICATE IS A DOCUMENT ISSUED BY
THE RESPECTIVE AUTHORITY(DGCA) TO AN
APPLICANT WHO HAS PROVEN THAT THEIR
AIRCRAFT, ENGINE, OR PROPELLER MEETS ALL
APPLICABLE AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS
PERTAINING TO THAT PRODUCT.
TYPE CERTIFICATE

13. What is a repair?
• A repair restores the aircraft to its’ original
unaltered or properly altered condition.
• Repairs must be accomplished in
accordance with the manufacturer’s
maintenance instructions or standard
practices acceptable to the Administrator.
• Major repairs must be accomplished in
accordance with approved data.

14. Major vs. Minor Repair
Major Repair. A repair that fits one or more of the
following:
• (1) Might appreciably affect airworthiness by
changing weight, balance, structural strength,
performance, powerplant operation, or flight
characteristics if improperly done; or
• (2) Is not done according to accepted practices or
cannot be done by elementary operations.
Minor Repair. Any repair that is not classified as a
major repair.

15. MAJOR REPAIRS AND MAJOR ALTERATIONS
Major Repair means a repair:
➔That, if improperly done, might
appreciably affect weight, balance,
structural strength, performance,
powerplant operation, flight
characteristics, or other qualities affecting
airworthiness; or
➔That is not done according to accepted
practices or cannot be done by elementary
operations.

16. Special Flight Permits
• An aircraft that does not currently meet
applicable airworthiness requirements
may be operated if it is capable of safe
flight.
• May be issued to fly an aircraft to a base
where repairs, alterations, or maintenance
are to be performed, or to a point of
storage.
• Subject or operating limitations.

17. Flight Standards District Office 8525 Gibbs Drive, Suite 120
San Diego, California 92123
(619) 557-5281, Fax: (619) 557-7156
FAX - SPECIAL FLIGHT PERMIT
This permit is for the following aircraft for the purpose of maintenance.
REG. NO. MAKE: MODEL: SERIAL NO:
N123FA Piper PA38-112 38-79A0934
FROM: TO: VIA:
Ramona, CA (RNM) El Cajon, CA (SEE) Direct
This authorization must be displayed in the aircraft in accordance with 14 CFR §91.203(b)
This authorization expires upon arrival at destination or February 12, 2006.
These Operating Limitations are a part of the Special Flight Permit issued to the aircraft described above. Flight
crewmembers must be properly certificated and rated in accordance with 14 CFR Part 61.
1. The flight described above shall be made under VFR/VMC day conditions only, (unless the additional
limitation below authorizes differently). The flight shall be made by the most direct and expeditious route
consistent with the aircraft operating limitations and weather. FAR 91.707 requires that a Flight Plan be filed
for flights between the USA and Canada or Mexico–no waiver available.
2. Occupancy of the aircraft is limited to the pilot, essential flight crew required to operate the aircraft and its
equipment and personal baggage.
3. Flight over congested areas is prohibited, and takeoffs and landings shall be conducted to avoid congested
areas in the vicinity of any of the airports used in conjunction with this authorization. Flight over a foreign
country must have special permission from that country.
4. Prior to flight, the aircraft must be inspected by a certificated mechanic or repair station to determine the
aircraft is safe for the intended flight. The result of that inspection will be entered in the permanent aircraft
records with the following similarly worded statement: “This aircraft has been inspected and has been
found safe for the intended flight in accordance with Special Flight Permit dated February 2, 2006.”
5. Operation of this aircraft is subject to the approval of the registered owner. The aircraft must display U.S.
registration identification marks and have a registration certificate issued to its owner on board. This permit is
valid for one flight only (Direct) with necessary fuel stops.
6. Any Airworthiness Directive pertinent to this make and model of aircraft that requires compliance must be
complied with before the ferry flight is initiated unless the AD specifies that the aircraft can be ferried to a
location where the requirements of that specific AD can be accomplished.
Additional Limitations:
Airspeed not to exceed maneuvering airspeed for the aircraft.
Gregory C. Nolting
Aviation Safety Inspector Date issued: February 2, 2006

18. 1.The flight described above shall be made under VFR/VMC day
conditions only, (unless the additional limitation below authorizes
differently). The flight shall be made by the most direct and expeditious
route consistent with the aircraft operating limitations and weather. FAR
91.707 requires that a Flight Plan be filed for flights between the USA
and Canada or Mexico–no waiver available.
2.Occupancy of the aircraft is limited to the pilot, essential flight crew
required to operate the aircraft and its equipment and personal
baggage.
3.Flight over congested areas is prohibited, and takeoffs and landings
shall be conducted to avoid congested areas in the vicinity of any of the
airports used in conjunction with this authorization. Flight over a foreign
country must have special permission from that country.
4.Prior to flight, the aircraft must be inspected by a certificated
mechanic or repair station to determine the aircraft is safe for the
intended flight. The result of that inspection will be entered in the
permanent aircraft records with the following similarly worded statement:
“This aircraft has been inspected and has been found safe for the
intended flight in accordance with Special Flight Permit dated
February 2, 2006.”

19. The Grey Area
• Manufacturer’s maintenance instructions
may be limited in content and detail.
• Individual interpretation or understanding
of the term “airworthy” may vary.
• You may consider the aircraft to be safe,
but does it qualify as airworthy?

20. What to look for:
• Verify that scheduled maintenance
requirements are current.
• Verify that there are no open
discrepancies (unscheduled).
• Verify that maintenance record entries
have been made.
• Do a good preflight.

21. Scheduled Maintenance
• Required inspections (annual/100 hr.)
• Replacement of life limited components
• Altimeter/Transponder Certifications
• ELT battery replacement
• ELT annual check
• Airworthiness Directives
• All of these are predictable

22. Unscheduled Maintenance
• Line gripes
• How are they reported?
• Who decides what gets repaired?
• Can repair of the item be deferred?
• Has it been repaired or deferred properly?
• Has it been recorded properly?

23. MAINTENANCE
• Complete maintenance records should
contain the following:

24. • Records of the maintenance, preventive
maintenance, alterations, 100 hour,
annual, progressive and other required or
approved inspections, as appropriate.
• Total time in service for the aircraft, each
engine, each propeller, and each rotor.
• Current status of life-limited parts.
• Time since last required overhaul.

25. The Owner or Operator shall retain all
maintenance records for 1 year after the
work is performed or until the work is
repeated or superseded by other work.

26. “RETURN TO SERVICE”
• No person may operate
an aircraft, airframe,
engine, propeller, or
appliance on which
maintenance, preventive
maint., or an alteration
has been performed
unless:

27. RECORD ENTRIES
• Maintenance Records
(except for inspections)
shall contain the
following information:

28. • A description (or reference to data) of
work performed.
• The date of completion of the work.
• The name of the person performing the
work if other than specified below.
• The signature, certificate number, and
kind of certificate held by the person
approving the work.

29. “DESCRIPTION OF WORK
PERFORMED”
• The description should be in sufficient
detail to permit a person unfamiliar with
the work to understand what was done,
and the methods and
procedures used in doing it.
FAR 91.417 Maint.
Records.

30. RECORD ENTRIES FOR
INSPECTIONS
• The person approving
or disapproving for
return to service after
any inspection
performed IAW Part
91, 123, 125, & 135
shall make an entry in
the maintenance
record the following:

31. • The type of inspection and a brief
description of the extent of the insp.
• The date of the inspection and the total
time in service.
• The signature, the certificate number, the
kind of certificate held by the person
approving or disapproving for return to
service.

32. • “I certify that this aircraft has been
inspected in accordance with (insert type)
inspection and was determined to be in
airworthy condition.”
Richard W.Rhuda AP123456789IA