The PIC is responsible for determining that the aircraft is in condition for safe flight §91.7. Expect the examiner to hand you the maintenance logs and ask you to prove it.
Documents on board
ARROWdocuments
- AAirworthiness certificate (displayed)
- RRegistration: valid 7 years
- RRadio station license: international flights only
- OOperating limitations: POH/AFM, placards, markings, supplements
- WWeight & balance: current data
Required inspections
AV1ATEinspections
- AAnnual: every 12 calendar months, by an A&P with Inspection Authorization
- VVOR check: 30 days (IFR only)
- 1100-hour: if carrying people for hire or giving flight instruction for hire
- AAltimeter / pitot-static: 24 calendar months (IFR)
- TTransponder: 24 calendar months
- EELT: 12 calendar months; battery after 1 hr cumulative use or 50% of useful life
And don’t forget ADs: Airworthiness Directives are mandatory fixes for unsafe conditions. Check the logs for compliance, including recurring ADs.
- The 100-hour may be exceeded by up to 10 hours only to reach a place where it can be done; the excess counts toward the next 100.
- An annual can substitute for a 100-hour, but not the other way around.
Something is inoperative. Is it still airworthy? §91.213
MEL? Does the aircraft have a Minimum Equipment List?
Most commercial operators have one, and it covers everything. Your plane probably doesn’t.SKIP AHEAD · If it has one, follow it and skip the remaining steps.
TCDS: Type Certificate Data Sheet
Does it require the item?ADs
Is the item required by an Airworthiness Directive?KOEL? Kinds of Operations Equipment List
Newer airplanes have one in the POH; older ones don’t.SKIP AHEAD · If your POH has one, use it and skip step 5.
§91.205: required instruments and equipment
For day VFR, night VFR and IFR. Don’t learn the old mnemonic; just open the FAR and look it up.Personal minimumsBonus points
Even if it’s legal: would you fly with that equipment inoperative, today, on this flight?
If any step says the item is required: not airworthy. Fix it or get a special flight permit.
Not required? You still must… §91.213(d)
- Remove it (with a maintenance logbook entry), or
- Deactivate it and placard it “INOPERATIVE”
- …and the pilot determines it’s not a hazard to the flight
GO ✓
Can you deactivate it yourself? A landing light: switch it off or pull the breaker, placard it “INOPERATIVE”, and you’re good to go.
NO-GO ✕
Can’t deactivate it yourself? A turn coordinator: you can’t. You’re not airworthy until an A&P deactivates or removes it, makes the logbook entry and placards it.
Not airworthy and must be moved?
Get a special flight permit (ferry permit) from the FAA (FSDO) to fly to a repair base §21.197.
Who may do preventive maintenance? §43.3 · Part 43 App. A
A certificated pilot (not student, sport or recreational) on an aircraft they own or operate, not under Part 121/135: oil changes, tires, bulbs, fuses. It must be logged §43.9.
Quiz
Airworthiness
1 / 5
How long is an aircraft registration valid?
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