FAA Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA)Regulations (14 CFR 61/91)Medium
During a ramp check, an FAA inspector asks a pilot to produce the documents required to be aboard the airplane. The pilot presents the airworthiness certificate, registration certificate, and the operating limitations, but cannot locate one additional required item. According to 14 CFR 91.203 and 91.9, which document is also required to be aboard?
- AWeight and balance data appropriate to the aircraft
- BAircraft maintenance records
- CThe pilot's medical certificate
- DThe pilot's personal logbook
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Weight and balance data appropriate to the aircraft
The commonly taught mnemonic ARROW—Airworthiness certificate, Registration, Radio station license (if international), Operating limitations, and Weight and balance data—lists the documents required to be aboard the aircraft. Weight and balance data is required under 91.9 in conjunction with the flight manual requirements.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Maintenance records are kept on the ground, not required aboard the aircraft.
- C. Medical certificate is a pilot certification item, not an aircraft document under 91.203.
- D. Logbooks are personal records and are not required to be carried aboard the aircraft.
Required Aircraft Documents (ARROW)
The set of documents that must be aboard a civil aircraft during flight per 14 CFR 91.203 and 91.9.
- A = Airworthiness Certificate
- R = Registration Certificate
- R = Radio Station License (international flights only)
- O = Operating Limitations
- W = Weight and Balance data
Memory trick: ARROW points to what must be aboard the plane.