Which document certifies the aircraft's airworthiness?

Which document certifies the aircraft's airworthiness?

• A. ARC
• B. Flight Plan
• C. Certificate of Airworthiness
• D. MEL

Answer: (C)

The key idea is identifying the official authorization that confirms an aircraft is fit to fly. The Certificate of Airworthiness is the document that states the aircraft conforms to its approved design and is in a condition for safe operation, issued by the national aviation authority. It serves as the primary permission to operate the aircraft. An Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC) is related to ongoing airworthiness after maintenance or annual checks; it shows the aircraft still meets requirements, but it isn’t the initial certificate that establishes airworthiness. The other items—a flight plan and the minimum equipment list (MEL)—have different roles: a flight plan relates to routing and filing with authorities, while the MEL lists equipment that may be inoperative under certain conditions and does not certify overall airworthiness.

The key idea is identifying the official authorization that confirms an aircraft is fit to fly. The Certificate of Airworthiness is the document that states the aircraft conforms to its approved design and is in a condition for safe operation, issued by the national aviation authority. It serves as the primary permission to operate the aircraft.

An Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC) is related to ongoing airworthiness after maintenance or annual checks; it shows the aircraft still meets requirements, but it isn’t the initial certificate that establishes airworthiness. The other items—a flight plan and the minimum equipment list (MEL)—have different roles: a flight plan relates to routing and filing with authorities, while the MEL lists equipment that may be inoperative under certain conditions and does not certify overall airworthiness.