Exam 3: Aircraft Airworthiness

Which documents are legally required to be onboard the aircraft?

(AROW) Airworthiness Certificate Registration Certificate Operating Limitations (AFM) Weight and Balance Data (usually in AFM)

Transponder Inspection

*Every 24 calendar months* No person may use an ATC transponder unless, within the preceding 24 calendar months, the ATC transponder has been tested and inspected (FAR 91.413)

Part of ensuring that an aircraft is airworthy is verifying that all of the required inspections have been completed:

- Annual Inspection - 100 Hour Inspection - ELT Inspection and ELT Battery - Transponder Inspection - Altimeter/Static System Inspection (IFR only) - VOR Check (IFR only)

ELT Battery Requirement (FAR 91.207)

- Batteries used in the ELT must be replaced (or recharged): 1. when the transmitter has been in use for more than 1 cumulative hour; or 2. when 50% of their useful life has expired - The new expiration date for replacing (or recharging) the battery must be legibly make don the outside of the transmitter and entered in the aircraft maintenance record

FAR 91.9

- No person may operate a US registered civil aircraft unless there is available in the aircraft a current, approved Airplane Fight Manual - No person may operate a civil aircraft without complying with the operating limitations specified in the approved Airplane Flight Manual, markings, and placards

100 Hour Inspection (FAR 91.409)

- No person may operate an aircraft carrying any person (other than a crewmember) for hire, and no person may give flight instruction for hire in an aircraft which that person provides, unless within the preceding 100 hours of time in service the aircraft has received an annual or 100-hour inspection - The 100-hour limitation may be exceeded by not more than 10 hours while en route to reach a place where the inspection can be done. The excess time used to reach a place where the inspection can be done must be included in computing the next 100 hours of time in service

Weight and Balance Data

- aircraft must have record on board, reflecting the total weight and center of gravity of the aircraft with the equipment currently installed - any changes to the equipment installed on the aircraft will result in a change in weight and center of gravity; this record can be found in the AFM

Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

- notify aircraft owners and operators of unsafe conditions in a particular model of aircraft, engine, or other system (similar to an automotive recall) - compliance is MANDATORY - will often require the replacement or inspection of a part - action of ADs may be one time or recurring

ELT transmission

- older ELT's will transmit a siren tone on the emergency frequency of 121.5 MHz - some ELT's transmit an encoded message the can include aircraft identification and GPS location

100 Hour Inspection Summary

- only required if you are carrying passenger for hire or providing flight instruction for hire - can exceed the 100 hours by no more than 10 hours, but only to fly the airplane to a location where the inspection can take place

Operating Limitations (Aircraft Placards)

- required to be in place - usually contain information on aircraft limitations or operation of specific controls

FAR 91.203 (required aircraft documents)

- requires every aircraft to have an Airworthiness Certificate onboard and displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is legible to passengers or crew - requires that the registration certificate be carried in the aircraft at all times

3 condition for determining airworthiness

1. Does the aircraft have all required documents onboard? 2. Have all required inspections been completed? 3. Is all equipment on board the aircraft and operational?

Inoperative Equipment

1. If the inoperative equipment is not required, the equipment must be removed or deactivated. 2. An entry must be made in the aircraft records if maintenance is involved. 3. The equipment must be placarded "Inoperative". 4. The pilot must determine that the inoperative equipment will not constitute a hazard to the aircraft

Equipment required by 91.205 - Day

A TOMATO - Airspeed indicator - Tachometer - Oil pressure gauge - Manifold pressure gauge for each altitude engine - Altimeter - Temperature gauge for each liquid-cooled engine - Oil temperature for each air-cooled engine (notice that not all of the above equipment is required for every aircraft)

Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT)

A device that activates upon the crash of an aircraft and broadcasts a signal that rescuers can use to locate the downed aircraft (can also be manually activated if needed)

Special Flight Permit

A flight permit issued from FAA to an aircraft that does not meet airworthiness requirements but is capable of safe flight, for the following purposes: - maintenance, repair, alterations, or storage - buyer delivery - manufacturer (production) flight tests - evacuation from danger - customer demonstration - excess weight operations

ELT Inspection Requirement (FAR 91.207)

Each emergency locator transmitter must be inspected within 12 calendar months after the last inspection for: - Proper installation - Battery corrosion - Operation of the controls and and crash sensor - Presence of a sufficient signal radiated from its antenna

Annual Inspection

Every 12 calendar months an examination of an aircraft is required to maintain its airworthiness - must be performed by a mechanic with an Inspection Authorization

An aircraft must be registered with the ______ prior to being flown legally

FAA Aircraft Registry

Equipment required by 91.205 - Night

FLAPS; Additional equipment required for night VFR - Fuses - Landing light if operated for hire - Anticollision lights - Position lights - Source of electrical power

Minimum Equipment List (MEL)

Many large, more complex aircraft will have MEL's which will specifically permit operations with certain inoperative equipment - an operator must have approval from FAA to utilize the MEL, and the MEL must be carried onboard the aircraft - NOT the same as 91.205 or our manufacturer's Kinds of Operations lists (NONE fo out aircraft have approved MEL'S)

Can the 100-Hour Inspection take place of the Annual Inspection?

NO

FAR 91.409 (Inspections)

No person may operate an aircraft unless, within the preceding 12 calendar months, it has had an annual inspection

AFM Sections

Section 1: General Section 2: Operating Limitations Section 3: Emergency Procedures Section 4: Normal Procedures Section 5: Performance Section 6: Weight and Balance/Equipment List Section 7: Systems Descriptions Section 8: Handling, Service, and Maintenance Section 9: Supplements Section 10: Safety Tips (Optional)

Where are the aircraft limitations located?

Section 2 of the AFM

For maintenance and airworthiness purposes, it is (Tach or Hobbs) Time that is important

TACH

ELT Summary

Two separate dates must be verified: - the date of the last ELT inspection must be within the previous 12 calendar months - the expiration date of the battery must be verified to ensure it does not need to be replaced

Can the Annual Inspection take place of the 100-Hour Inspection?

Yes

Inoperative Equipment (FAR 91.213)

You may be able to operate the aircraft with certain inoperative equipment provided you follow a specific process: 1. First, you have to determine if the inoperative equipment is required by regulation (FAR 91.205) 2. Second, you must determine if the equipment is required by the manufacturer in an equipment list or kinds of operation list (section 2 AFM)

Airworthy

aircraft conforms to its original type design and is in a condition for safe operation (fit to fly)

Tach Time

design to record the "time in service" of the aircraft, which is the time during which the aircraft is actually in flight (not including startup and taxi)

AFM Section 2: Operating Limitations

important to know because pilots are legally required to follow them

Airworthiness Certificate

issued by the FAA after the aircraft has been inspected and is found to meet airworthiness requirements - must be onboard and displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance

Registration Certificate

must be carried in the aircraft at all times - expires approximately every 3 years (refer to date on certificate)

Who is primarily responsible for maintaining an aircraft in airworthy condition?

owner or operator of the aircraft

Who is responsible for determining whether an aircraft is in condition for safe flight?

pilot in command of a civil aircraft

If the tachometer gets replaced, it is possible that the current tach time is different from the _________ of the aircraft

total time

Hobbs Time

used by pilots to determine the appropriate "pilot time" that should be logged and is designed to record all time during which the engine is running