Before departing on a flight, a pilot notices that the aircraft's Certificate of Registration is not aboard, although the Airworthiness Certificate is properly displayed at the cabin entrance. According to 14 CFR 91.203, is this aircraft eligible for flight?
- AYes, only the Airworthiness Certificate is required to be aboard for flight
- BYes, as long as the registration is mailed to the FAA within 30 days of the flight
- CNo, both the Airworthiness Certificate and the Certificate of Registration must be aboard the aircraft
- DNo, but only because the Airworthiness Certificate must also be accompanied by a current weight and balance report
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. No, both the Airworthiness Certificate and the Certificate of Registration must be aboard the aircraft
14 CFR 91.203 requires that no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it has aboard an effective registration certificate issued to its owner and a valid Airworthiness Certificate displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance. Missing the registration certificate makes the aircraft ineligible for flight, regardless of the Airworthiness Certificate's status.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Incorrect; both documents are independently required aboard the aircraft.
- B. Incorrect; there is no grace period allowing flight without the registration aboard.
- D. Incorrect; weight and balance is a separate requirement and not the reason this flight is illegal.
91.203 Required Onboard Documents
14 CFR 91.203 requires an aircraft to carry an effective Certificate of Registration and display a valid Airworthiness Certificate before flight; remember with the mnemonic ARROW (Airworthiness, Registration, Radio license, Operating limitations, Weight and balance).
- Airworthiness Certificate displayed at cabin/cockpit entrance
- Registration Certificate must be carried aboard
- Radio station license required for international flights
- Operating limitations and weight/balance data also required aboard
Memory trick: ARROW points the way: Airworthiness, Registration, Radio license, Operating limitations, Weight & balance.