FAR 21.179 — Airworthiness Certificate Transfer
FAR 21.179 explains that an aircraft's airworthiness certificate transfers with the aircraft itself when ownership changes. Quick guide for pilot students.
In Plain English
FAR 21.179 is one of the shortest rules in Part 21, but it answers a question that comes up constantly in real-world aircraft transactions and on checkrides: what happens to the airworthiness certificate when an aircraft is sold?
The answer is simple — the airworthiness certificate is transferred with the aircraft. It stays with the airframe, not with the previous owner.
Why this matters operationally:
- When you buy a used aircraft, you do not need to apply for a new airworthiness certificate just because ownership changed.
- The certificate must remain on board and displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so it's visible to passengers and crew (per FAR 91.203).
- The registration certificate, by contrast, does not transfer — a new owner must apply for a new registration.
- If the aircraft is later modified, damaged, or falls out of compliance with its type design, the airworthiness certificate can become invalid even though it was lawfully transferred.
For a student pilot, the takeaway is to remember the distinction: airworthiness goes with the aircraft, registration goes with the owner.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 21.179§ 21.179 Transferability.
An airworthiness certificate is transferred with the aircraft.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1If I buy a used aircraft, do I need to apply for a new airworthiness certificate?
No. Under FAR 21.179, the airworthiness certificate is transferred with the aircraft, so it stays with the airframe through a change of ownership.
Q2What's the difference between how an airworthiness certificate and a registration certificate are handled when an aircraft is sold?
Per FAR 21.179, the airworthiness certificate transfers with the aircraft, but the registration does not — the new owner must apply for a new registration certificate in their name.
Q3Where does the airworthiness certificate stay after a sale, and what makes it valid?
FAR 21.179 says it transfers with the aircraft, so it remains on board. It stays valid as long as the aircraft is maintained in conformity with its type design and in airworthy condition.
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Related Sections in Part 21