Chapter 2 - Private Pilot oral exam guide

Required documents on board an aircraft

SPARROW + CE: Supplements, Placards, Airworthiness Certificate, Registration Certificate, Radio License (if flying internationally), Operating Limitations (AFM/POH), Weight and Balance, Compass Deviation Card, External Data Plate

Airworthiness certificate

FAA-issued certificate showing aircraft meets design standards and is safe to operate; must match type design and be maintained properly

Standard vs special airworthiness certificates

Standard (white) for normal, utility, acrobatic, commuter, transport categories; Special (pink) for primary, restricted, limited, light-sport, or experimental

Experimental airworthiness certificate

Allows operation of aircraft without a type certificate or that deviates from it, such as amateur-built, R&D, or exhibition aircraft

Airworthiness certificate expiration

Never expires if aircraft conforms to type design, is safe to operate, and all maintenance is done per 14 CFR Parts 21, 43, and 91

Airworthiness certificate location

Must be clearly displayed in the cabin or cockpit, visible to passengers or crew

Flying without AFM

Not allowed; if AFM is missing, pilot must get an identical FAA-approved replacement with all applicable supplements

AFM supplements requirement

Required when aircraft has additional systems or modifications; supplements must be included with AFM and available during flight

Conditions for airworthiness

Aircraft must conform to its type design and be in safe condition; inoperative equipment must be listed on MEL/KOEL or properly placarded

How a pilot confirms aircraft conforms to type design

Review maintenance records to verify all required inspections and repairs are done per FAA rules; verify no unauthorized changes

How a pilot ensures aircraft is in safe condition

Perform thorough preflight inspection for damage, leaks, wear, and ensure any inoperative items are placarded or repaired

Registration certificate

FAA document showing aircraft ownership and nationality; must be on board during flight

Types of registration certificates

Dealer (pink, temporary, no ops) and permanent (white, valid for 3 years); aircraft must be registered to fly legally

When aircraft registration expires

Expires after 3 years, if aircraft is sold, destroyed, exported, or if owner changes address and fails to notify FAA within 30 days

Where to find aircraft registration number

On fuselage or tail; must match number listed on registration certificate

Are STCs part of airworthiness

Yes; Supplemental Type Certificates authorize modifications to aircraft and must be documented and maintained

MEL (Minimum Equipment List)

FAA-approved list of instruments/equipment that may be inoperative under specific conditions without affecting airworthiness

Kinds of Operation Equipment List (KOEL)

Manufacturer list in AFM showing what equipment is required for different types of operations (VFR, IFR, day, night, etc.)

Flying with inoperative equipment

If listed in MEL or KOEL as optional, it can be deactivated and placarded; otherwise, it must be repaired or aircraft is unairworthy

INOP equipment without MEL

Use 14 CFR §91.213(d): determine if equipment is required, deactivate and placard, then determine if safe to fly

Special Flight Permit

FAA authorization to fly an unairworthy aircraft for a specific purpose, like maintenance or delivery; issued by FSDO

Who can issue special flight permit

Local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) or Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR); request requires maintenance log info

Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

FAA-mandated fixes for known safety issues; compliance is mandatory for continued airworthiness

AD categories

Emergency (immediate compliance), One-time, Recurring (at intervals); must be logged in aircraft maintenance records

How to find applicable ADs

Search FAA website by aircraft make/model/engine/prop; check maintenance logs for compliance history

Responsibility for AD compliance

Aircraft owner or operator must ensure all ADs are followed and documented; pilot must check compliance before flight

Service bulletins

Manufacturer-recommended fixes or upgrades; not mandatory unless part of an AD

Preventive maintenance

Simple tasks like oil changes, tire swaps, spark plug cleaning; allowed for private pilots on owned aircraft if properly logged

Logging preventive maintenance

Pilot must log date, description of work, and sign with certificate number; improper logging can make aircraft unairworthy

Annual inspection

Required every 12 calendar months for all aircraft; must be signed off by an A&P mechanic with IA (Inspection Authorization)

100-hour inspection

Required for aircraft used for flight instruction or hire; can be overflown by 10 hours only if flying to inspection location

Difference between annual and 100-hour

Same scope, but only IA mechanic can sign annual; 100-hour can be signed by any A&P

Progressive inspection

Alternative program broken into segments at regular intervals; must be FAA-approved and documented

Transponder inspection

Must be inspected and certified every 24 calendar months per 14 CFR §91.413

ELT inspection

Must be inspected every 12 months for battery corrosion, proper installation, operation, and signal strength

ELT battery replacement

Replace after 1 cumulative hour of use or 50% battery life expiration, whichever comes first

Static system and altimeter check

Required every 24 calendar months for IFR operations per 14 CFR §91.411

Who is responsible for airworthiness

Owner or operator is responsible for ensuring aircraft is airworthy; pilot in command must also verify airworthiness before flight

Where to find maintenance status

Aircraft maintenance records; logbooks show compliance with inspections, ADs, and major repairs

Required maintenance records onboard

Must have airworthiness and registration certificates on board; logs can be kept elsewhere but must be available for inspection

Major repairs and alterations

Must be documented on FAA Form 337 and approved by certified mechanic or inspector

Who can perform maintenance

A&P mechanics perform most work; IA required for annuals and major repairs; pilots can only perform approved preventive maintenance on aircraft they own