Outline:

1. Airworthiness Overview

   Airworthiness – General Determination:An airplane must conform to its type certificate at all times to be considered airworthy. This involves ensuring the aircraft is compliant with the manufacturer's specifications and regulations.

2. Type Certificates

   • Basis for Airplane Certification:The type certificate is the foundational document that certifies an airplane's design meets the required standards. It specifies the minimum installed equipment for the aircraft to operate legally.

   • Accessing Type Certificates:You can access detailed type certificates for aircraft at the FAA Type Certificates Website.

3. Required Equipment for VFR/IFR/Night Operations

   • 91.205 – Equipment List:The regulation 91.205 outlines the required equipment for various operations such as VFR, IFR, and night flying. An easy-to-remember acronym for the required equipment is TOMATOFLAMES.

4. Equipment Lists and Forms

   • Manufacturer Equipment Lists:Lists all equipment installed on the aircraft on the manufacture date.

   • Kinds of Operation Equipment List (KOEL):Found in the limitations section of the POH (Pilot Operating Handbook), this list specifies the equipment required for specific operations such as VFR, IFR, and night flying.

   • Form 337 – Major Modifications/Repairs:When installing non-original equipment, a Form 337 or STC (Supplemental Type Certificate) is required to gain approval.

5. Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)

   • What Is an STC?:An STC is a blanket FAA approval for modifying a specific aircraft model with additional equipment. It can involve changes such as increasing gross weight or adding horsepower (e.g., installing a 180HP engine in a Cessna 172N).

   • New Limitations:STCs may introduce new limitations or requirements, such as weight increases or engine performance updates.

6. Inspections and Tests Required

   • AVIATED:The acronym AVIATED lists all mandatory inspections, including:

     • Annual Inspections (12 months, per 91.409)

     • VOR Test (Every 30 days per 91.171)

     • 100-Hour Inspection (Every 100 hours, per 91.409)

     • Altimeter/Static Inspection (Every 24 months, per 91.411)

     • Transponder Inspection (Every 24 months, per 91.413)

     • ELT Inspection (Every 12 months, per 91.207)

7. Minimum Equipment List (MEL)

   • Purpose:An MEL is an FAA-approved list specifying which equipment can be inoperative for a specific aircraft while still remaining airworthy.

   • Inoperative Equipment:The MEL outlines what equipment can be inoperative and how long it can remain inoperable. It is required to be kept on board the aircraft.

8. Operating with Inoperative Equipment

   • 91.213(c) MEL Approved:If the aircraft has an MEL, the pilot uses it to determine what equipment can remain inoperative and still fly legally.

   • 91.213(d) Without MEL:If no MEL exists, the equipment inoperative must be evaluated based on whether it's required under 91.205, and if it can be safely operated without the equipment.

   • Removal/Deactivation:Some inoperative equipment must be removed or deactivated by a certified maintenance person and placarded INOPERATIVE.

   • Logbook Entries:Any inoperative equipment, repairs, or deactivations must be recorded in the aircraft’s logbook.

9. Special Flight Permit – “Ferry Permit”

   • Ferry Permit:A Ferry Permit is issued by the FSDO (Flight Standards District Office) to fly an aircraft that is not airworthy for maintenance or repair. It is issued on a case-by-case basis, and the airplane must meet specific qualifications to qualify.

   • Website for Ferry Permit:Special Flight Permits

10. Legal Interpretations

    • Legal Interpretations:The PDF also addresses legal interpretations, such as whether an aircraft must have a 100-hour inspection and the implications of flying an aircraft past its TBO (Time Between Overhaul).