Aero-Tips!

A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old, bold pilots.")

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Aero-Tips 09.07.06

Can an FAA inspector or other representative revoke an aircraft's Airworthiness Certificate? They sure can... if your airplane fails to meet certain standards.

There are two classes of airworthiness certificates:

• Standard certificates. This encompasses most, but not all the aircraft we're used to seeing, including Normal, Utility, Aerobatic, Commuter and Transport category aircraft, and also Manned Free Balloons and certain Special Classes.
• Special certificates. This includes Primary and Light Sport aircraft, all types of Restricted and Experimental aircraft, Limited category aircraft and those operating on a Special Flight Permit ("ferry permit").

Staying airworthy

A standard category certificate remains valid only as long as the aircraft:

1. meets the approved type design specifications;
2. is in a condition for safe operation; and
3. maintenance, preventative maintenance, and alterations are performed in accordance with Federal Air Regulations.

Assuming the airplane is not damaged or altered without authorization, what determines a "condition for safe operation"? FAA Order 8130.2F change 1 goes to great lengths (347 pages) to tell us, but the crux for most aircraft is on page 7, which reads a "condition for safe operation... refers to the condition of the aircraft relative to wear and deterioration, for example, skin corrosion, window delamination/crazing, fluid leaks and tire wear."

Note: 8130.2F change 1 adds: "Aircraft that have not been issued a TC [e.g., experimental airplanes] must meet the [same] requirements..."

Back to our question: does the FAA have the authority to revoke an Airworthiness Certificate if it deems an aircraft unairworthy? Yes. FAR 21.181 says the FAA can revoke an existing airworthiness certificate in any category if the aircraft "has an unsafe condition or is likely to develop an unsafe condition.."

Aero-tip of the day: Keep your aircraft airworthy and in compliance with its type design -- not only to keep its airworthiness certificate, but to keep yourself and your passengers safe.

FMI: Aero-Tips