Module MOD-19 · 9 min · ACS PA.I.F · ACS PA.II · ACS PA.XII

Documents, Inspections and Airworthiness

← Preflight Planning and Required Informationdraft — pending CFI review

Why this matters in flight: A perfectly flyable airplane can still be illegal to fly if a certificate is missing or an inspection has lapsed. Sorting out documents, inspections, and inoperative equipment is what lets you sign for an airworthy aircraft with confidence.

The documents that must be aboard are remembered as ARROW: Airworthiness certificate, Registration certificate, Radio station license (for international flights), Operating limitations (the flight manual, placards, and markings), and Weight and balance data. Airworthiness also depends on current inspections. Every aircraft needs an annual inspection within the preceding 12 calendar months; an aircraft flown for hire or used for flight instruction for hire also needs a 100-hour inspection. The PIC is ultimately responsible for deciding the aircraft is in condition for safe flight. When something is inoperative and no minimum equipment list applies, 91.213 requires you to confirm the item is not required by the equipment list, the VFR-day rule, an airworthiness directive, or the operation; then deactivate or remove it, placard it "inoperative," and judge that the aircraft is still safe.

Key terms

ARROW
Airworthiness, Registration, Radio license, Operating limitations, Weight and balance.
Annual inspection
Required within the preceding 12 calendar months for all aircraft.
100-hour inspection
Required for aircraft flown for hire or for flight instruction for hire.

Summary

ARROW documents must be aboard; an annual is required yearly and a 100-hour for hire/instruction; the PIC judges airworthiness; and inoperative equipment follows the 91.213 process.

Quick check ▾

One question on what you just read.

Question 1 of 1

Objective mastery: 15%

0 of 1 answered

The memory aid ARROW lists the documents that must be aboard an aircraft. What does the second "R" represent?

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Sources

Every claim traces to a source — paraphrased knowledge elements pointing at the governing FAA publication; not yet verified against a retrieved source.

  • 14 CFR 91.9 / 91.203 (ARROW) — 14 CFR Part 91 — General Operating and Flight Rules unverified
  • 14 CFR 91.409 / 91.417 — 14 CFR Part 91 — General Operating and Flight Rules unverified
  • PHAK Ch. 9 / 14 CFR 91.7 — Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge unverified
  • 14 CFR 91.213 — 14 CFR Part 91 — General Operating and Flight Rules unverified

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