ASI Aircraft Operations and Certification 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which regulation defines the minimum equipment that must be operative for a particular type of operation as listed in an approved Minimum Equipment List (MEL)?
- 14 CFR Part 43
- 14 CFR Part 91.213 (Correct answer)
- 14 CFR Part 121.628
- 14 CFR Part 135.179
Correct answer: 14 CFR Part 91.213
14 CFR 91.213 prescribes the conditions under which inoperative instruments and equipment may be deferred using an approved MEL for Part 91 operations.
Question 2: What is the primary difference between a standard airworthiness certificate and a special airworthiness certificate?
- Standard certificates expire annually; special certificates are permanent
- Standard certificates are issued for type-certificated aircraft in normal or utility categories; special certificates cover aircraft not meeting standard requirements (Correct answer)
- Standard certificates allow IFR flight; special certificates are VFR only
- Standard certificates require annual renewals; special certificates are one-time approvals
Correct answer: Standard certificates are issued for type-certificated aircraft in normal or utility categories; special certificates cover aircraft not meeting standard requirements
Standard airworthiness certificates are issued for type-certificated aircraft in the normal, utility, acrobatic, commuter, or transport category; special certificates cover experimental, restricted, or other non-standard aircraft.
Question 3: During an en-route inspection, an ASI observes a Part 121 air carrier flight depart with a known inoperative autopilot that is required by the aircraft's MEL. This is best characterized as:
- An acceptable deviation if the captain authorizes it
- A violation of the approved MEL and applicable operating regulations (Correct answer)
- Permissible under a Captain's Discretion provision
- An airworthiness directive compliance issue only
Correct answer: A violation of the approved MEL and applicable operating regulations
Dispatching or operating an aircraft with inoperative equipment that an approved MEL requires to be operative is a regulatory violation under the applicable operating part.
Question 4: An airworthiness directive (AD) is legally classified as:
- An advisory circular with voluntary compliance
- A Federal Aviation Regulation with mandatory compliance (Correct answer)
- A manufacturer service bulletin that must be incorporated
- A type certificate amendment issued by the aircraft designer
Correct answer: A Federal Aviation Regulation with mandatory compliance
ADs are issued under 14 CFR Part 39 and have the force of a Federal Aviation Regulation, making compliance mandatory.
Question 5: An aircraft owner wants to conduct a ferry flight on an aircraft with an expired airworthiness certificate. Which document authorizes this?
- A logbook endorsement from an A&P mechanic
- A special flight permit (ferry permit) issued under 14 CFR 21.197 (Correct answer)
- A temporary airworthiness certificate issued by the FSDO
- An operator deviation authority granted by the airline's director of maintenance
Correct answer: A special flight permit (ferry permit) issued under 14 CFR 21.197
A special flight permit issued under 14 CFR 21.197 authorizes ferry flights for aircraft that do not currently meet airworthiness requirements.
Question 6: The term 'continued airworthiness' refers to:
- The process of issuing new type certificates for existing designs
- Ongoing maintenance, inspections, and alterations that keep an aircraft airworthy throughout its operational life (Correct answer)
- FAA oversight of manufacturer production quality systems
- Pilot proficiency training required for currency
Correct answer: Ongoing maintenance, inspections, and alterations that keep an aircraft airworthy throughout its operational life
Continued airworthiness encompasses all maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, and alterations needed to ensure an aircraft remains airworthy over its service life.
Question 7: Which entity has primary responsibility for ensuring an aircraft is maintained in an airworthy condition under 14 CFR Part 91?
- The certificated mechanic who performed the last inspection
- The registered owner or operator of the aircraft (Correct answer)
- The FAA Flight Standards District Office with jurisdiction
- The aircraft manufacturer through its continued airworthiness program
Correct answer: The registered owner or operator of the aircraft
14 CFR 91.403 places the primary responsibility for maintaining an aircraft in an airworthy condition on the registered owner or operator.
ASI Aircraft Operations and Certification 3
Which regulation defines the minimum equipment that must be operative for a particular type of operation as listed in an approved Minimum Equipment List (MEL)?