Define “airworthy”
An aircraft is airworthy if it conforms to its original type design or properly altered state, and is in a safe condition for flight.
What goes in to keeping a plane airworthy?
Think D.I.E. - documents, inspections, equipment.
Who is primarily responsible for maintaining an aircraft in an airworthy condition?
the owner/operator
who is responsible for maintaining proper maintenance records of the airplane?
The owner/operator
What documents must be aboard the aircraft?
Airworthiness certificate
Registration certificate
Radio station license (outside US)
POH/AFM and operating limitations it contains such as placards
The official, current weight and balance/equipment list
compass deviation card
avionics cockpit reference guide
Minimum equipment list
special flight permit
How long is an airworthiness certificate valid for?
Indefinitely, as long as the aircraft is maintained according to regulation
How long is registration valid for?
7 years; 84 calendar months
What would cause the registration to no longer be valid?
30FTDUC
30 - Thirty days after death
F - foreign registry (shipped to another country)
T - transfer of ownership
D - destroyed
U - United States citizenship revoked
C - cancelled
For how long can a newly purchased aircraft operate with its Aircraft Registration Forms (not registered)
12 months
Are there any limitations associated with flying aircraft that have not yet been fully registered?
Valid only for domestic flights
How to register an aircraft?
Online at FAA.gov or at FSDO
what aircraft document is required when flying outside the U.S.?
Radio station license - for aircraft only
What PILOT document is required when flying outside the U.S.?
Radio operators permit, acquired on FCC.gov
Where do you find the list of placards required to be on the airplane?
POH/AFM section 2, limitations
Rules regarding POH/AFM
Must be from OG aircraft (match serial number)
Must be complete
Accessible to pilot in flight
Weight and balance included
POH sections
GLENPWAHS
General
Limitations
Emergency procedures
Normal procedures
Performance
Weight and balance
Airplane and system description
Handling service and maintenance
Supplements
Is it a regulatory requirement to calculate weight and balance prior to every flight?
The is no regulation that explicitly states we must do a weight and balance every time; however, we are required to abide by the limitations in the POH per 91.9, and therefore we must operate the aircraft within its CG envelope. Knowing the weight of the aircraft is also essential to knowing your takeoff and landing distances, which is a regulatory requirement.
Under what circumstances must the airplane’s official weight and balance be amended?
Any weight change not considered to be “negligible”, meaning 1 pound or less if the airplane’s empty weight is less than 5,000 lbs.
Must the MEL be carried on board if one exists for the aircraft?
Yes
If an instrument or other piece of equipment becomes inoperative during the flight what, should you do?
Consult the POH and follow checklists.
Where do you look to determine which avionics guide needs to be in the airplane?
Section 8 and/or section 9 of the POH/AFM. Could also be on the KOEL or in the avionics guide itself. The avionics guide must be accessible to the crew.
What are the required maintenance inspections and their intervals?
Annual (12 calendar months)
ADs (as specified)
VOR (30 days for IFR)
100 hour (with 100 of last or annual)
Altimeter/static/encoder (24 calendar months IFR)
Transponder (24 calendar months VFR and IFR)
ELT (functional test 12 calendar months, battery recharged or replaced every 1 hour of cumulative use or when half of useful life expired)
What is an AD?
It is a legally enforceable regulation (Part 39) to correct an unsafe product, similar to a factory recall for a car.
What are the categories of AD’s?
Emergency
Less-than-urgent
You can subdivide those two basic types of ADs into one-time, recurring, and conditional ADs.
