NewStart →
← Lesson plans

Commercial pilot · ACS CA.I.B · Instructor lesson plan

Airworthiness Requirements (Commercial)

Student pack: Train: Airworthiness Requirements (Commercial) · Full lesson: Prepare guide

Instructors: sign in to edit and approve your own version.

1 · Objective

By the end of this lesson your student can explain airworthiness requirements (commercial) in their own words and apply it to a realistic flight, to the ACS standard for CA.I.B.

Why it matters for safety: Passengers who pay for a flight trust that the airplane has been looked after. The 100-hour inspection exists because airplanes flown for hire are flown hard and often. A commercial pilot who checks the records and refuses an airplane that isn’t right protects people who can’t check for themselves.

2 · Assign before the lesson

Pre-work: the free Train pack, Airworthiness Requirements (Commercial). Documents, inspections (including the 100-hour for hire), ADs, preventive maintenance and inoperative equipment.

Anyone can open this link, no account needed. To see who trained it on your roster, use a free instructor account.

Pack: pilotprep.pro/train/cpl/airworthiness-requirements · Full lesson: pilotprep.pro/prepare/cpl/airworthiness-requirements

3 · Teach sequence

Key points to land

  • On board: the airworthiness certificate (displayed), registration, the operating limitations (POH/AFM, placards, markings) and weight and balance data.(14 CFR 91.9; 91.203)
  • Annual inspection within the preceding 12 calendar months (signed by an IA). A 100-hour inspection too (an A&P may sign it) if the airplane carries any person other than a crewmember for hire, or is provided by the person giving flight instruction for hire. An annual counts as a 100-hour; a 100-hour never counts as an annual. A progressive inspection program can replace both.(14 CFR 91.409(a), (b), (d); 65.95)
  • The 100-hour may be overflown by up to 10 hours only to reach a place where it can be done; the extra time counts toward the next one.(14 CFR 91.409(b))
  • Airworthiness Directives are mandatory, including recurring ones; the logbooks must show compliance. SAIBs are advisory.(14 CFR Part 39; 91.417)
  • A pilot who owns or operates the airplane may do only the preventive maintenance listed in Part 43 Appendix A(c), with no complex assembly (not on aircraft used under Part 121, 129 or 135), may approve it for return to service, and must log it.(14 CFR 43.3(g); 43.7(f); 43.9)
  • Inoperative equipment without an MEL (91.213(d)): it may be inoperative only if it is not required by the VFR-day type certificate, not on the equipment list or KOEL, not required by 91.205 or another rule for the flight, and not required by an AD. Then it is removed (placard, record) or deactivated and placarded "Inoperative", and a pilot or mechanic determines it isn't a hazard.(14 CFR 91.213(d))
  • An airplane that isn’t airworthy may be flown to a repair base only under a special flight permit from the FAA.(14 CFR 21.197)

Certificates, inspections and ADs

  • The airworthiness certificate stays valid while maintenance and inspections are done as required. Registration expires after 7 years and must be renewed.(14 CFR 21.181; 47.40)
  • Inspections, with when they apply: annual (12 calendar months); 100-hour for hire; the transponder may not be used unless tested within the preceding 24 calendar months; altimeter and static system within 24 calendar months to fly IFR in controlled airspace; a VOR check within the preceding 30 days to use the VOR under IFR.(14 CFR 91.171; 91.409; 91.411; 91.413)
  • ELT: inspected every 12 calendar months (installation, battery corrosion, controls and crash sensor, a radiated signal). Replace or recharge the battery after more than 1 cumulative hour of use or when 50% of its useful life (or of its charge, if rechargeable) has passed; mark the new expiration date on the transmitter and in the records.(14 CFR 91.207(c)-(d))
  • ADs fix unsafe conditions and are mandatory; check one-time and recurring ADs in the logbooks. SAIBs recommend action but don’t require it.(14 CFR Part 39)
  • Special flight permit (a "ferry permit"): to fly an airplane that isn’t airworthy but is safe for a specific flight, such as to a repair base. Apply on FAA Form 8130-6 to the responsible Flight Standards office (or a DAR), stating the purpose, itinerary, crew, how the airplane doesn't comply, and the restrictions proposed. Fly only under the limitations issued with it, with essential crew only.(14 CFR 21.197; 21.199)

Preventive maintenance

  • Preventive maintenance is a closed list in Part 43 Appendix A(c) (oil changes, tire servicing, replacing bulbs and the other listed items), and only where no complex assembly is involved. If it isn’t on the list, a mechanic does it.(14 CFR Part 43, Appendix A)
  • A certificated pilot who owns or operates the airplane may do it, except on aircraft used under Part 121, 129 or 135.(14 CFR 43.3(g))
  • Doing it and approving it are separate: you may approve your own preventive maintenance for return to service, and log it with a description, the date, your name, certificate number and kind, and signature. The airplane flies only after that approval.(14 CFR 43.7(f); 43.9; 91.407(a))

Required and inoperative equipment

  • Day VFR (91.205(b)): airspeed indicator, altimeter, magnetic direction indicator, tachometer, oil pressure and temperature gauges, manifold pressure gauge for an altitude engine, a fuel gauge for each tank, gear position indicator if retractable, anticollision lights (airplanes certificated after March 11, 1996), seat belts and shoulder harnesses as required, an ELT, and flotation and a pyrotechnic signal if for hire over water beyond gliding distance.(14 CFR 91.205(b))
  • Night VFR adds (91.205(c)): position lights, anticollision lights, an adequate source of electrical energy, and spare fuses; and an electric landing light if operated for hire. IFR adds more.(14 CFR 91.205(c)-(d))
  • An MEL is specific to the airplane (developed from the MMEL), comes with an FAA letter of authorization that must be on board, and you fly under all its conditions. An MMEL alone authorizes nothing for Part 91. An MEL can't defer items required by the type certificate, an AD (unless it says so), or Part 91 for the flight.(14 CFR 91.213(a)-(b))
  • Without an MEL, 91.213(d) applies, using the KOEL or equipment list in the POH/AFM.(14 CFR 91.213(d))
  • Placard inoperative items "Inoperative" and record the discrepancy. A paying passenger shouldn’t discover it.(14 CFR 91.213(d))
  • Found something broken at preflight? Legal and safe are separate questions; answer both before you go.(Risk Management Handbook (FAA-H-8083-2A))

Special airworthiness certificates

  • Aircraft with special airworthiness certificates (experimental, restricted, limited, light-sport) fly under their own operating limitations. Read them before flying.(14 CFR 91.9)
  • An experimental aircraft may not carry persons or property for compensation or hire.(14 CFR 91.319(a)(2))

4 · Ask your student

In order: recall, then understanding, then applying it. Move up only when the answer shows it.

  1. Recall · When does an airplane need a 100-hour inspection?

    A strong answer: When it carries anyone, other than a crewmember, for hire, or when it’s provided by the instructor for flight instruction for hire.

  2. Understand · Why may you overfly the 100-hour by up to 10 hours, and what happens to that time?

    A strong answer: Only to get the airplane to a place where the inspection can be done. The extra hours count toward the next 100 hours, so it doesn’t buy extra flying.

  3. Apply · Before a paid sightseeing flight you find the airplane is at 102 hours since its last 100-hour, and the landing light is out. What do you do?

    A strong answer: I can’t carry the passenger for hire: the 100-hour is overdue (the 10-hour allowance is only to reach the inspection). The landing light only matters at night for hire under 91.205, but the flight is off either way until the inspection is done.

Scenarios to talk through

  • A recurring AD on the airplane was due 5 hours ago. Can you fly it?

    Sound decision: No. It’s unairworthy until the AD is complied with, unless the AD itself allows a ferry flight or you get a special flight permit.

  • You change the oil on a rental airplane that flies Part 135 charters. Was that allowed?

    Sound decision: No. Pilot preventive maintenance isn’t allowed on aircraft used under Part 135 (with limited exceptions under an approved program).

  • The airplane’s registration expired last month. Can you fly?

    Sound decision: No. It isn’t validly registered; renew it first.

5 · Common student errors

  • Ignoring the 100-hour.

    Why it matters: Required when flying for hire.

    How to correct it: Check it every time you fly someone for pay.

  • Treating SAIBs as ADs, or ADs as advice.

    Why it matters: Only ADs are mandatory.

    How to correct it: Know the difference.

  • Missing the logbook entry for preventive maintenance.

    Why it matters: It’s required.

    How to correct it: Log it per 43.9.

6 · Completion standard

  • Your student answers each "Ask your student" question in their own words, up to the Apply level, without prompting.
  • They talk through the scenarios and reach a safe, legal decision, explaining why.
  • They complete the pack’s quick check and can say what they flagged.

Area trained? Close out with a practice oral focused on CA.I.B: pilotprep.pro/exam?exam=CPL&focus=CA.I.B

7 · References

  • 14 CFR, 21.181, 21.197, Part 39, 43.3, 43.9, Part 43 Appendix A, 47.40, 91.9, 91.203, 91.205, 91.207, 91.213, 91.319, 91.409, 91.411, 91.413, 91.417
  • Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C), Aircraft documents, maintenance and inspections
  • Commercial Pilot ACS (FAA-S-ACS-7B), Area I, Task B
  • Airman Certification Standards, task CA.I.B

PilotPrep instructor lesson plan, from the Airworthiness Requirements (Commercial) lesson (checked against current FAA sources 2026-11-13). A study and teaching aid, not FAA guidance; teach to your own judgment and the current ACS.