Airworthiness, Maintenance Requirements

Objective:

Understand what the airworthiness and maintenance requirements entail.
Know the responsibility of the Pilot In Command prior to each flight regarding the airworthiness of the aircraft.

Attention:

When you walk out to the aircraft, how do you know if it is airworthy?
Does there legally have to be anything in the plane to fly it (besides fuel)?
Where would you look to find out?

Motivation:

There aren’t too many things more frustrating than wondering for sure if your aircraft is airworthy legally or not. It is worth the time to be sure you understand everything that is required to be airworthy before you walk out to the aircraft.

Overview:

We will review the documents, inspections, and equipment required for an aircraft to be airworthy. Then we will reference where to find the material.


Log Ground Training:

  • 61.105(b)(1) Applicable Federal Aviation Regulations of this chapter that relate to private pilot privileges, limitations, and flight operations;

Development:

DIE:

Documents

  1. Airworthiness Certificate
  2. Registration
  3. Radio License (if required by flight ops)
  4. Operational Handbook
  5. Weight & Balance

Inspections

  • AVIATE (PHAK 8-8)
  1. Annual
  2. VOR (30 days)
    1. 100 Hour (required if aircraft is used for hire or flight instruction for hire—91.409(b))
    2. Altimeter/static (24 calendar months)
    3. Transponder (24 calendar months)
    4. ELT (12 calendar months/ ½ battery, 1hr. cumulative use)
  • AD’s—Airworthiness Directives

Equipment

  • If something isn’t working, can you still fly?
  • Are you using an MEL? If no, continue (91.213) (PHAK 8-9).
  • If it will remain Daytime, then yes you can depart as long as it’s not required by:
  • (i) VFR-day type certification for type certified
  • (ii) Kinds of Operations Equipment List
  • (iii) As listed in 91.205
    • ATOMS 2 FLEA (VFR Day)
      • Airspeed indicator
      • Altimeter
      • Tachometer for each engine
      • Temperature gauge (each liquid cooled engine)
      • Oil pressure gauge (each liquid cooled engine)
      • Oil temperature gauge (each liquid cooled engine)
      • Magnetic direction indicator (compass)
      • Manifold pressure gauge (each altitude engine)
      • Safety belt
      • Shoulder harness (front seats)
      • Fuel gauge (quantity)
      • Landing gear position indicator
      • Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT)
      • Anti-collision light system (strobes)
      • (iv) Airworthiness Directive–Required to be operational (PHAK 8-12)
      • Inoperative equipment not a Hazard
  • Additionally required for VFR night 91.205(c) if any of the flight will be at night
    • FLAPS (additional equipment required for night flight)
      • Fuses (3 spare for each type)
      • Landing light (if for hire)
      • Anti-collision lights
      • Position lights
      • Source of electrical power (adequate for all installed electrical and radio equipment)

Preventative Maintenance

PHAK 8-11

  • Replacing tires
  • Adding oil
  • Replenishing hydraulic fluid
  • Replacing safety belts
  • Cleaning
  • Etc.

Procedures and limitations for determining airworthiness of the airplane with inoperative instruments and equipment without minimum equipment list (MEL)

  • When inoperative equipment is found during preflight or prior to departure, you should
  1. Cancel the flight, or
  2. Obtain maintenance prior to flight, or
  3. Defer the item or equipment

Procedures for deferring maintenance on aircraft without an approved MEL

  • If the inoperative equipment is NOT required by the type design, 14 CFR, or AD’s, and the aircraft can be safely operated without it, then the deferral may be made (explained by 91.213(d))
  1. The inoperative item shall be deactivated or removed and an INOPERATIVE placard placed near the appropriate switch, control, or indicator.
  • Removal must be accomplished by certified maintenance personnel and recorded according to part 43.
  • Item must be repaired to pass next inspection according to 91.405(c)

Requirements and procedures for obtaining a special flight permit

  • Special Flight Permit: allows the aircraft to be flown to another location for maintenance; allows an aircraft that may not currently meet applicable airworthiness requirements, but is capable of safe flight, to be operated under the restrictive special terms and conditions attached to the special flight permit.
  • See PHAK 8-10 last two paragraphs, also see PHAK 8-12, and figure 8-10 on PHAK 8-13.

Airworthiness Directives (see PHAK 8-12), compliance records, maintenance/inspection requirements, and appropriate records

  • AD’s are used to notify aircraft owners and other interested persons of unsafe conditions and to specify the conditions under which the product may continue to be operated.
  1. AD’s are regulatory and shall be complied with unless a specific exemption is granted
  • 91.417(a)(2)(v) requires a record to be maintained that shows the current status of applicable Ads and details to include.
  • AD’s are divided into two categories
  1. Those of an emergency nature requiring immediate compliance prior to further flight
  2. Those of a less urgent nature requiring compliance within a specified period of time

THE FOLLOWING IS FOR REFERENCE ONLY

Aircraft Owner/Operator Responsibilities PHAK 8-13

Aircraft maintenance

  • Annual Inspection
  • 100-hour inspection
  1. These include Altimeter system, transponder, and ELT

Conclusion and Evaluation:

As the Pilot in Command, you must ensure that the aircraft is not only physically airworthy, but legally airworthy by reviewing the maintenance logs frequently.