What makes an airplane “Airworthy?”
Airplane travel has continuously been the safest form of travel for decades. No other method of transportation is as litigious or tightly regulated as aviation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which falls under the Department of Transportation, is the main regulatory body for civil aviation in the United States. Their purview covers everything from air traffic control to regulating re-entry from space. One of the most critical functions of the FAA is to certify that an aircraft is “airworthy.” The legal definition of airworthiness is covered in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Chapter 14, Part 39.
Airworthiness is much more than just an aircraft’s ability to fly. It includes compliance with standards and documentation that proves the aircraft is in safe operating condition and that any modifications are authorized. If a plane has had any maintenance done, even if it is routine or preventative, it is not considered airworthy until an FAA delegated administrator has approved it for flight. It is also important to note that if any maintenance is done, it should be documented and kept within a record.
In addition to the maintenance record, several documents need to be completed and kept with the aircraft to prove compliance with FAA standards. These documents can be memorized with the aid of the pneumonic “ARROW.”
A- Airworthiness Certificate or FAA Form 1800-2 must be visible to all occupants of the aircraft
R- Registration or FAA Form 8050-3 is issued once the individual or company that owns the aircraft registers it in their name
R- If flying outside of the United States, an FCC Form 605 is required. This form certifies that the pilot is authorized to use a very high frequency (VHF) radio and is valid for life
O- An operator’s manual for the specific aircraft must be retained. These manuals either come with the plane or may be downloaded online
W- A weight and balance certificate must be completed for every flight and will vary based on the amount of cargo or passengers
Besides the required documents, owners also need to be aware of the several necessary inspections that need to be up to date. Failure to comply with these regular inspections will render an aircraft unworthy for legal operation. These inspections can be memorized using the acronym “AVIATE.”
A- Airworthiness Directives can be thought of like recalls for one’s car. These notifications are delivered to owners if a part or aircraft was found to have a defect that would make operation unsafe. Until this safety deficiency is resolved, the aircraft as a whole will remain unworthy.
V- A VHF Omni-Directional Range (VOR) test must be performed every 30 days for all aircraft. VORs are the standard radio navigation systems for aircraft of all sizes.
I- Aircraft must be up to date on both annual and 100-hour inspections. These two inspections are very similar in their scope and are performed by aviation maintenance technicians. In these inspections, nearly every part of the plane is inspected for cleanliness and proper operation. Preventative maintenance should also be done during, and in between, these inspections to ensure proper function and compliance.
A- Altimeters and static pressure systems must be inspected every 24 calendar months to ensure no damage, alterations, or restrictions exist that would impact their accuracy or function.
T- The transponder is one of the most essential pieces of equipment when flying in controlled airspace and thus it must be inspected with equal frequency to the altimeter.
E- Lastly, the emergency locator transmitter, which gives out a distress signal in an emergency, must be inspected every 12 months.
It is the responsibility of the owner, whether private or commercial, to get their aircraft registered and maintain its airworthy condition. The pilot in command will always have the final say in determining airworthiness. If the pilot in command identifies an unsafe situation at any point, they can cease operation and ground the plane.
Maintaining airworthiness is a necessary part of aircraft ownership and operation. NSN Parts Now can help you stay airworthy with our large repository of FAA-compliant parts. As a certified member of the Aviation Suppliers Association, we are committed to being your partner in meeting and maintaining the legal requirements for airworthiness. Visit our website or download the “ASAP Semiconductor” app from the Apple or Google Play store to have access to purchasing at the touch of your fingertips.
