FAA Military Competency Practice Exam

Who is responsible for ensuring compliance with an Airworthiness Directive?

1. The FAA only

2. The pilot in command

3. The owner or operator of the aircraft

4. The ground crew

The correct answer is: The owner or operator of the aircraft

The responsibility for ensuring compliance with an Airworthiness Directive (AD) falls primarily on the owner or operator of the aircraft. Airworthiness Directives are issued by the FAA to address safety issues that may affect aircraft, engines, propellers, or appliances. It is the duty of the owner or operator to monitor and understand these directives, ensuring that any required maintenance, inspections, or modifications are performed as prescribed. While the pilot in command does have a role in the overall safety and airworthiness of the aircraft during flight operations, it is the owner or operator who holds the legal responsibility for compliance with ADs. The FAA supervises this process and monitors compliance but does not directly enforce it on each individual aircraft owner. Ground crew may assist with maintenance tasks but are not responsible for the comprehensive oversight required for compliance with ADs. Thus, the correct answer highlights the primary accountability of the aircraft’s owner or operator in ensuring the aircraft meets all airworthiness requirements as dictated by the FAA.