8.airworthiness-certificate. Airworthiness Certificate
An Airworthiness Certificate is issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to aircraft that have been proven to meet the minimum standards set forth by the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The certificate is required to be displayed in the aircraft so it is legible to the passengers and crew whenever it is operated. The Airworthiness Certificate is transferred with the aircraft except when it is sold to a foreign purchaser.
FAA Form 8100-2, Standard Airworthiness Certificate, is the FAA's official authorization allowing for the operation of type certificated aircraft in the following categories:
- Normal
- Utility
- Acrobatic
- Commuter
- Transport
- Manned free balloons
- Special classes
A Standard Airworthiness Certificate remains in effect as long as the aircraft meets its approved type design, is in a condition for safe operation, and maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations are performed in accordance with 14 CFR parts 21, 43, and 91.
FAA Form 8130-7, Special Airworthiness Certificate, is an authorization to operate an aircraft in the U.S. National Airspace System in one of the following categories:
- Primary
- Restricted
- Limited
- Light-sport
- Experimental
- Special flight permits
- Provisional
Each Standard Airworthiness Certificate contains the following information, which a pilot should be able to locate and interpret:
- Nationality and Registration Marks (N-number) — must match the aircraft's registration certificate.
- Manufacturer and Model — identifies the type-certificated design.
- Aircraft Serial Number — assigned by the manufacturer.
- Category — the operating category (e.g., Normal, Utility, Acrobatic) for which the aircraft was certificated. An aircraft may be certificated in more than one category if it meets the requirements of each.
- Authority and Basis for Issuance — references the type certificate data sheet (TCDS) and applicable airworthiness standards.
- Terms and Conditions — the conditions under which the certificate remains in force.
Conditions for a Valid Standard Airworthiness Certificate
Under 14 CFR §91.7, no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it is in an airworthy condition. The pilot in command (PIC) is responsible for determining whether the aircraft is in condition for safe flight and shall discontinue the flight when unairworthy mechanical, electrical, or structural conditions occur. For the certificate to remain valid, the following must be true:
- The aircraft must be maintained in accordance with 14 CFR parts 21, 43, and 91.
- Required inspections must be current. For most general aviation aircraft this means:
- Annual inspection every 12 calendar months (14 CFR §91.409(a)).
- 100-hour inspection if used for hire or flight instruction for hire in a provided aircraft (§91.409(b)).
- Transponder test/inspection every 24 calendar months (§91.413).
- Pitot-static and altimeter system inspection every 24 calendar months for IFR flight (§91.411).
- Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) inspection every 12 calendar months (§91.207).
- VOR check every 30 days for IFR (§91.171).
- The aircraft must conform to its type certificate and any Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs).
- All applicable Airworthiness Directives (ADs) must be complied with.
Display Requirement
The Airworthiness Certificate must be displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so it is legible to passengers or crew. This is one of the documents memorized using the acronym ARROW:
- A — Airworthiness Certificate
- R — Registration Certificate
- R — Radio Station License (required for international operations)
- O — Operating Limitations (POH/AFM, placards, markings)
- W — Weight and Balance data (current)
Special Airworthiness Certificates
A Special Airworthiness Certificate (Form 8130-7) is issued for aircraft that do not meet the full standards of a Standard Airworthiness Certificate but may still be operated under specific limitations. Examples include:
- Experimental — for amateur-built aircraft, R&D, exhibition, or air racing. Operating limitations are issued with the certificate and become part of it.
- Light-Sport (S-LSA/E-LSA) — for aircraft meeting the light-sport definition.
- Restricted — for aircraft used in special-purpose operations such as agricultural spraying, aerial surveying, or banner towing.
- Special Flight Permit (Ferry Permit) — issued under §21.197 to allow an aircraft that does not currently meet airworthiness requirements to be flown to a location where repairs or alterations can be made, or for production flight testing or evacuation from threatened areas.
Example
A pilot preflighting a Cessna 172 finds the Airworthiness Certificate displayed in a clear pouch on the cabin wall. The certificate shows N-number N12345, model 172S, serial number 172S10001, and Normal category. The pilot then verifies in the maintenance logs that the annual inspection was signed off within the last 12 calendar months and that the 100-hour inspection is current (since the aircraft is rented for instruction). With those confirmations, the certificate is valid and the aircraft may be flown.