What is a primary requirement for issuing a Certificate of Airworthiness?

• A. All equipment must be operational
• B. Aircraft must be type certified
• C. Pass a flight test
• D. Be inspected annually

Answer: (B)

The issuance of a Certificate of Airworthiness is fundamentally contingent upon the aircraft being type certified. This means that the aircraft must meet the specific design and safety standards established for that particular type of aircraft. Type certification ensures that the aircraft design has been thoroughly evaluated and is deemed safe for operation according to the applicable regulations.

While it is important for equipment to be operational and the aircraft to be maintained, these aspects alone do not provide the comprehensive assurance needed for the issuance of the Certificate of Airworthiness. Similarly, passing a flight test is often a step in the overall certification process, but the primary requirement is indeed the type certification, which signifies initial compliance with safety standards. Annual inspections contribute to maintaining airworthiness but are not a prerequisite for the initial issuance of the certificate. Thus, type certification is the core requirement for ensuring that an aircraft is compliant with regulatory safety standards before receiving its Certificate of Airworthiness.