🛩 Task B – Airworthiness Requirements

Objective:
To ensure the applicant demonstrates satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills necessary to determine if an aircraft is legally and safely ready for flight, including required documents, inspections, equipment, and responsibilities of the owner and PIC.

References:
14 CFR Parts 39, 43, 91 | FAA-H-8083-2 | FAA-H-8083-3 | FAA-H-8083-25

---

🧠 Knowledge Areas

📘 PA.I.B.K1 – General Airworthiness Requirements

An aircraft is considered airworthy if:

• It meets the approved design standards (type certificate and any authorized modifications)
• It is in a safe condition for flight as determined by inspection and maintenance procedures

✈️ Remember: Just because the plane starts doesn’t mean it’s airworthy. Legal and mechanical readiness are both required.

---

📘 PA.I.B.K1a – Required Aircraft Documents (S.P.A.R.R.O.W.)

These documents must be onboard at all times:

• Supplements – For additional installed equipment
• Placards – Safety labels or required markings
• Airworthiness Certificate – Valid unless suspended or revoked
• Registration Certificate – Valid for 3 years if issued after Oct 1, 2010
• Radio Station License – Only needed for international operations
• Operating Limitations – Found in POH or AFM
• Weight & Balance Data – Includes updated info for new equipment or repairs

---

📘 PA.I.B.K1b – Required Inspections (A.V.1.A.T.E.S.)

Inspection Type	Interval	Notes
Annual	12 calendar months	Required for all aircraft
VOR	30 days	IFR only
100-Hour	Every 100 hours	If aircraft is used for hire
Altimeter/Static	24 months	IFR only
Transponder	24 months	All operations under §91.413
ELT	12 months, 1 hr cumulative use, or 50% battery life	Transmits on 121.5
ADs	As required	Mandatory compliance for safety

✅ Note: An annual inspection may substitute for a 100-hour, but not vice versa.

---

📘 PA.I.B.K1c – Airworthiness Directives (ADs) and SAIBs

• ADs are legally mandatory safety notices issued by the FAA when a defect is found
• Must be followed exactly, by the specified compliance time
• SAIBs (Special Airworthiness Information Bulletins) are recommendations, not requirements

ADs are enforceable. SAIBs are informative.

---

📘 PA.I.B.K1d – Special Flight Permits (Ferry Permits)

Used when an aircraft does not meet full airworthiness requirements, but is still safe for a specific flight.
Examples:

• Flying to a repair facility
• Delivering a new aircraft
• Evacuating from natural disasters
• Flying overweight with extra fuel on a one-time basis

Process (§21.197, §21.199):
Submit request to local FSDO with details:

• Aircraft condition
• Route
• Purpose
• Pilot qualifications
• Proposed restrictions (if any)

---

📘 PA.I.B.K1e – Responsibilities of Owner/Operator and PIC

• Owner/Operator (§91.403): Must ensure all inspections and maintenance are performed and documented
• Pilot-in-Command (§91.7): Must verify the aircraft is safe before every flight
  • If the aircraft is not safe or has unknown issues, the PIC must cancel or terminate the flight

---

📘 PA.I.B.K2 – Preventive Maintenance (§43.3(g), §43.9)

Private pilots may perform minor tasks that do not involve complex assembly, such as:

• Oil changes
• Replacing spark plugs or tires
• Servicing batteries

Must log the work with description, date, aircraft time, and signature including certificate number

---

📘 PA.I.B.K3 – Required Equipment and Inoperative Systems (§91.205, §91.213)

🟠 Day VFR Required Equipment – A.T.O.M.A.T.O.F.L.A.M.E.S.

Letter	Equipment
A	Altimeter
T	Tachometer (for each engine)
O	Oil pressure gauge (for each engine using pressure)
M	Manifold pressure gauge (for altitude engines)
A	Airspeed indicator
T	Temperature gauge (for liquid-cooled engines)
O	Oil temperature gauge (for air-cooled engines)
F	Fuel gauge (for each tank)
L	Landing gear position indicator (if retractable)
A	Anti-collision light system (after 1996)
M	Magnetic direction indicator (compass)
E	Emergency locator transmitter (ELT)
S	Safety belts and shoulder harnesses

🌙 Night VFR Additions – F.L.A.P.S.

Letter	Equipment
F	Fuses (or circuit breakers – 1 spare set or 3 of each kind)
L	Landing light (if operated for hire)
A	Anti-collision light system
P	Position (navigation) lights
S	Source of electrical energy (e.g., battery or alternator)

---

📘 PA.I.B.K3a – Flying with Inoperative Equipment

You may fly with something broken only if:

• It’s not required by:
  • The type certificate
  • KOEL (Kinds of Operation Equipment List)
  • §91.205
  • An applicable AD
• It is placarded as INOP
• It is removed or deactivated and logged
• The PIC determines it does not affect safety

---

📘 PA.I.B.K3c – KOEL (Kinds of Operation Equipment List)

Found in the AFM or POH limitations section.

• Lists required equipment for various flight types: Day/Night VFR, IFR
• Must be consulted when items are inoperative

---

📘 PA.I.B.K4 – Standard and Special Airworthiness Certificates

• Standard: For normal, utility, acrobatic, commuter, and transport aircraft. Remains valid as long as maintenance and registration are current.
• Special: Issued to experimental, light-sport, or restricted-category aircraft. May include operational limitations or require FAA oversight.

---