FAA Military Competency Practice Exam

Under what circumstances can an aircraft with an experimental airworthiness certificate be operated?

1. When conducting test flights

2. While carrying persons or property for hire

3. When operating for research purposes

4. Only for personal flights

The correct answer is: Only for personal flights

An aircraft with an experimental airworthiness certificate is allowed to be operated under specific conditions that are primarily focused on research, development, and testing. The purpose of this certificate is to support flight testing and experimentation to ensure that the aircraft meets safety and regulatory standards. While personal flights may be allowed under certain circumstances, they do not encompass the full scope of operations permitted for experimental aircraft. Aircraft with an experimental airworthiness certificate can be utilized for test flights and research purposes, which can include conducting evaluations of new technologies or systems, exploring performance characteristics, and gathering data on flight behavior. Thus, the scenarios where an experimental aircraft can legally be operated often extend beyond just personal flying, allowing for a broader range of operational activities related to testing and exploration. The key takeaway is that the flexibility in operations is primarily tied to the intent of gathering information and understanding the aircraft's performance within a controlled test or research environment.