Understanding Airworthiness Certificates

When acquiring a corporate aircraft, buyers must be aware of the various requirements that will be necessary to complete the purchase and make use of the aircraft. Under FAA guidelines, an aircraft may not operate in flight without a Certificate of Airworthiness.

In the past, most corporate aircraft sold and purchased in the U.S. was between U.S. companies. As a result, it was unusual for a company to purchase an aircraft that was not registered in the United States. In recent years, we have seen an increase in the number of new and used corporate jet aircraft being sold to buyers outside the United States. As the number of used corporate aircraft from the U.S. to other parts of the world increases, and as manufacturers deliver greater numbers of new aircraft to buyers outside the U.S., the percentage of aircraft that are non-U.S. registered has greatly increased. When purchasing a corporate aircraft, this is something that U.S. buyers should be wary of. Perhaps the most significant concern is to be certain that the aircraft will qualify for a U.S. Certificate of Airworthiness.

An Airworthiness Certificate is an FAA document which grants authorization to operate an aircraft in flight. There are two different classifications of FAA Airworthiness Certificates: Standard Airworthiness Certificate and Special Airworthiness Certificate.
The FAA may issue an applicant an Airworthiness Certificate when:

Registered owner or operator/agent registers the aircraft,

Applicant submits the application to the local FAA office, and

FAA determines the aircraft is eligible and is in a condition of safe operation

A Standard Airworthiness Certificate has no set expiration dates and will remain valid for as long as the aircraft meets its approved type design, is in a condition for safe operation and maintenance, and all preventive maintenance and alterations are performed in accordance with a country’s aviation regulations. However, if an aircraft is not maintained in accordance with regulatory requirements of the United States, the Certificate will be considered “not in effect” and the aircraft will have no flight authority. Once this designation has been made, flight authority will only be reinstated when the required maintenance is completed and then documented in the aircraft’s technical log books.

Certificates of airworthiness, once they are awarded, must be kept on board the aircraft by the operator and must be presented to aviation authorities whenever they are requested. Failure to do so may result in legal action.

Lapayowker Jet Counsel, P.A.. is an aviation attorney and aviation transaction lawyer , focusing on airplane and jet transactions. To learn more, visit Businessaviationcounsel.com.

Understanding Airworthiness Certificates

Lapayowker Jet Counsel