Aircraft Operations, Airworthiness and Maintenance Requirements
Aircraft operations, airworthiness and maintenance are a chain of approvals. Registration under Part 47 identifies the aircraft; type certification and the airworthiness certificate under Part 21 establish its approved design and condition; maintenance under Part 43 keeps it airworthy; airworthiness directives under Part 39 are mandatory; and defects must be recorded and rectified. The exam tests whether an aircraft is legally flyable, who may certify maintenance, and what records must be carried.
Core rules
- An aircraft must be registered and display the correct ZK- marks; changes of ownership or address must be notified to the CAA.
- A current airworthiness certificate and a current maintenance release are required before flight.
- Maintenance must be carried out by a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer (LAME) or an approved organisation under Part 43, and records must be kept.
- Airworthiness directives are mandatory and must be complied with within the specified time.
- No person may operate an aircraft with a known defect that affects airworthiness; the defect must be recorded and cleared.
- A minimum equipment list may be used only if approved for the aircraft and operation.
Worked example
An aircraft's annual inspection was due 10 days ago and its maintenance release has expired. It is not airworthy for normal flight even if it appears serviceable. It must be inspected and a new maintenance release issued. A special flight permit may allow a specific ferry flight if approved.
Traps
- Treating the certificate of airworthiness as the maintenance release.
- Assuming AD compliance is optional or can be deferred without approval.
- Thinking a pilot can sign a maintenance release.
- Confusing registration with airworthiness.