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Aero-Tips 06.02.06

FAR 91.7 gives pilots singular responsibility and authority to determine an airplane's airworthiness before flight. The regulation states:

§ 91.7  Civil aircraft airworthiness.

(a) No person may operate a civil aircraft unless it is in an airworthy condition.

(b) The pilot in command of a civil aircraft is responsible for determining whether that aircraft is in condition for safe flight. The pilot in command shall discontinue the flight when unairworthy mechanical, electrical, or structural conditions occur.

What the FAA does not tell us is what is meant by "airworthy". The term is not defined in the Federal Air Regulations. So we're left to our own devices to determine what "airworthy" means.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language defines airworthy as "being in fit condition to fly".

Note: For those playground brawls it also lists adjectives "airworthier" (as in "my airplane is airworthier than your airplane") and "airworthiest" ("my airplane is the airworthiest on the airpark").

A practical definition

A practical definition of airworthy includes:

• The aircraft is free from damage or defect that would interfere with the safe conduct of a flight.
• The aircraft complies with its Type Certificate and any Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) or other approved modifications, if it is a certified design; or the aircraft is operated in the Experimental category it complies with all equipment requirements that apply for that aircraft's individual certification.
• If flown on an FAA Special Flight Authorization ("ferry permit"), the aircraft and operation comply with the requirements and limitations of that Authorization.
• The aircraft meets equipment and documentation requirements the applicable regulations (example: FAR 91.203, 91.205 and 91.213 for privately operated civil aircraft registered in the United States.
• The aircraft and operation conform to any applicable Operations Specifications, certificate holder flight manuals and/or Minimum Equipment List (MEL) for the design.
• The aircraft's equipment is operable in accordance with any Limitations and specifically any Types of Equipment and Operation (or similar) tables in Section II of an approved Pilots Operating Handbook.
• The aircraft has been inspected in accordance with the applicable regulations (annual, 100-hour, etc. as required).

You might also add that the airplane is operated within the stipulations of any applicable insurance policy, if the flight is to be conducted with an expectation of insurance coverage.

"Airworthiness" is a tough nut to crack because despite a pilot's responsibility to determine an aircraft meets this standard, the FAA gives us no guidance as to what "airworthy" actually means.

Aero-tip of the day: Uphold a high personal standard of aircraft airworthiness. Ultimately it's not a matter of legality; it's protection of your life and the lives of your passengers that is the definitive measure of airworthiness.

FMI: Aero-Tips