FAA Military Competency Practice Exam

What keeps a standard airworthiness certificate in effect for an aircraft?

1. Only annual inspections

2. Required maintenance and inspections

3. Periodic renewals every year

4. It remains in effect indefinitely

The correct answer is: Required maintenance and inspections

A standard airworthiness certificate remains in effect as long as the aircraft complies with the applicable regulations governing required maintenance and inspections. This includes adhering to maintenance schedules, conducting required inspections such as annual inspections, and ensuring that any necessary repairs or modifications are performed in accordance with approved procedures. All aircraft must also fulfill ongoing airworthiness directives (ADs) issued by the FAA, which mandate specific actions to address safety concerns. When these requirements are met, the standard airworthiness certificate continues to be valid. If an aircraft fails to meet any of the required maintenance or inspection criteria, the airworthiness certificate can be rendered invalid until appropriate action is taken. In contrast, while annual inspections are certainly one component of maintaining airworthiness, they do not encompass all the necessary criteria. The notion of periodic renewals does not apply here, as the airworthiness certificate does not require renewal but rather remains valid as long as compliance is maintained. Saying it remains in effect indefinitely overlooks the continuous need for adherence to regulations.