Plane SenSe General aviation Information
U.S. Departmentof TransportationFederal AviationAdministrationPlane SenSeGeneral aviation InformationFAA-H-8083-19AiPlane SenSeGeneral aviation Information2008U.S. Department of TransportationFederAl AviAtion AdministrAtionFlight Standards ServicePlane SenseiiPlane Sense introduces aircraft owners and operators, or prospective aircraft owners and operators, tobasic information about the requirements involved in acquiring, owning, operating, and maintaininga private aircraft.This handbook can be a valuable reference tool for anyone who would like to review the “nuts and bolts”of aircraft ownership. Aircraft owners and operators, or anyone considering aircraft ownership, shouldbe familiar with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), which details regulations for aircraftowners, operators, pilots, aircraft mechanics, and maintenance providers. Since the requirements canbe updated and the regulations can change, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends thatyou contact your nearest FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), where the personnel can assistyou with the various requirements for aircraft ownership, operation, and maintenance.The FAA has also added information for aviation enthusiasts who own (or are interested in owning) light-sport aircraft, a new and evolving sector of the general aviation marketplace.This handbook highlights regulations and regulatory guidance material, as well as providing adviceregarding where to locate answers to your questions. While Plane Sense cannot cover every issue facedby aircraft owners and operators, this handbook is intended to be a useful guide and will help you locatethe resources to assist you.This publication supersedes FAA-8083-19, which was reprinted with editorial updates in 2003.This handbook is available free of charge for download, in PDF format, from the FAA Regulatory SupportDivision (AFS-600) on the FAA website at www.faa.gov.Plane Sense may be also be purchased from:Superintendent of DocumentsUnited States Government Printing OfficeWashington, DC 20402-9325http://bookstore.gpo.govThis handbook is published by and comments should be sent to:Federal Aviation AdministrationAirman Testing Standards Branch (AFS-630)P.O. Box 25082Oklahoma City, OK 73125afs630comments@faa.goviiiPrefacePlane SenseivPlane Sense was produced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with the assistance of The WicksGroup, PLLC. The FAA wishes to acknowledge the providers of the following images used in this handbook:Skycatcher used on the cover and in chapter 6, courtesy of Cessna Aircraft CorporationCirrus SR20-1 used on the cover and in chapter 1, courtesy of Cirrus DesignEclipse 500 used on the cover, courtesy of Eclipse Aviation CorporationThe FAA would also like to extend its appreciation to several aviation industry organizations that providedassistance and input in the preparation of this handbook, including:General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AcknowledgmentsPlane SenseviPlane Sense is a handbook for aviation enthusiasts, especially aircraft owners and operators or those who areinterested in becoming aircraft owners, who are looking for a quick reference guide on a number of generalaviation topics. This handbook is published by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).The FAA is the executive agency responsible for aviation oversight in the United States. The FAA’s mission isto provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world.The FAA is responsible for the safety of civil aviation. The Federal Aviation Act of 1958 created the agencyunder the name Federal Aviation Agency. The FAA adopted its present name in 1967 when it became a part ofthe Department of Transportation (DOT). The FAA’s major roles include:•Regulating civil aviation to promote safety•Encouraging and developing civil aeronautics, including new aviation technology•Developing and operating a system of air traffic control and navigation for both civil and military aircraft•Researching and developing the National Airspace System (NAS) and civil aeronautics•Developing and carrying out programs to control aircraft noise and other environmental effects of civilaviation•Regulating U.S. commercial space transportationFAA Headquarters is located in Washington, D.C. However, the FAA is organized into eight geographicalregions and the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. FAA regions areorganized as follows:•Alaskan (Alaska)•Central (Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Tennessee)•Eastern (Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire,New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia)•Great Lakes (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin)•Northwest Mountain (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming)•Southern Region (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Virgin Islands)•Southwest Region (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas)•Western-Pacific Region (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada)Within each region, you will find several Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs). Your local FSDO is yourbest resource for questions about aircraft ownership, operation, maintenance, regulatory compliance, and otherissues. FAA inspectors are generally assigned to a FSDO. Aviation safety inspectors (ASIs) can assist you withissues related to the operation of your aircraft, airman certification, maintenance, and other general questions.You can find your local FSDO on the FAA website at www.faa.gov by selecting “About FAA” from the top menubar and following the links to locate your local FSDO’s contact information.Aircraft certification-related activities are handled by the FAA Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) that servesyour geographic area. viiintroductionPlane SenseviiiYou can contact your ACO for guidance on:•Design approval and certificate management•U.S. production approvals•Engineering and analysis questions•Investigating and reporting aircraft accidents, incidents, and service difficulties•Designated Engineering Representative (DER) oversightYou can find the nearest ACO on the FAA website at www.faa.gov by selecting “About FAA” from the top menubar and following the links to locate the nearest ACO’s contact information.This handbook has been revised to include additional topics and updated website addresses to enable you to findrelevant information more easily. You will also notice that some information is repeated in multiple chapters ofPlane Sense, and this is designed to allow each chapter to stand alone as a reference tool to aid you in locatingthe information easily.Please contact your local FSDO if you have any questions about the material in Plane Sense or how theinformation might specifically apply to your aircraft. This handbook is intended to provide general guidance foraircraft owners and operators; however, you should always ensure that the guidance provided applies to yourspecific aircraft and/or your specific situation.The FAA website is continually updated. If your question is not answered in this handbook, you can access agreat deal of helpful information on the FAA’s website at www.faa.gov. This new edition of Plane Sense is colorcoded to assist you in quickly finding useful information.The chapters containing information that may be useful to all general aviation readers are coded in blue:Chapter 1: Aircraft Owner ResponsibilitiesChapter 11: Obtaining FAA Publications and RecordsAppendix A: FAA Contact InformationAppendix B: Regulatory Guidance IndexThe chapters containing information about aircraft acquisition, registration, and ownership are coded in green:Chapter 2: Buying an AircraftChapter 3: Airworthiness CertificateChapter 4: Aircraft RegistrationChapter 5: Special Flight PermitsChapter 6: Light Sport AircraftThe chapters containing information on aircraft maintenance are coded in red:Chapter 7: Aircraft MaintenanceChapter 8: Maintenance RecordsChapter 9: Airworthiness DirectivesChapter 10: Service Difficulty ProgramYou will also note the addition of several new checklists to assist you in applying the information found inPlane Sense. These checklists and any relevant FAA or other forms discussed in the chapter are locatedat the end of that particular chapter for ease of reference. For your convenience, FAA Contact Informationis at the end of this handbook.Also, the Regulatory Guidance Index at the end of this handbook locates within each chapter the relevantregulatory guidance material, including pertinent sections of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR),FAA Orders, and Avisory Circulars (ACs).The FAA wishes you safe landings as you embark on your own aviation journey. ixIntroductionPlane Sensextable of ContentsPreface ...................................................................iiiAcknowledgments .............................................vintroduction ....................................................... viiChapter 1:Aircraft owner responsibilities ............ 1-1Documentation .......................................................1-1Aircraft Registration ...............................................1-114 CFR .....................................................................1-2Logbooks .................................................................1-2Aircraft Insurance ...................................................1-2Reporting Aircraft Accidents/Incidents ................ 1-2Accident ..........................................................1-2Incident ...........................................................1-2Contacting the NTSB .....................................1-2Filing NTSB Form 6120.1 ..............................1-3Aviation Safety Reporting System ..........................1-3Purpose ...........................................................1-3Confidentiality................................................1-3Filing an Incident Report ..............................1-3Safety ......................................................................1-4Safety Hotline.................................................1-4Safety Information ........................................1-4Reporting Stolen Aircraft/Equipment ...................1-4Law Enforcement ...........................................1-4Insurance Company ......................................1-4Aviation Crime Prevention Institute ............. 1-4Aircraft Registration Branch ........................1-4Chapter 2:Buying an Aircraft ........................................2-1Selecting the Aircraft ..............................................2-1Where To Look ...............................................2-1Factors Affecting Resale Value ......................2-2Overhauls .......................................................2-2Aircraft Records .....................................................2-2Aircraft Title ...........................................................2-2Filing Ownership and Lien Documents ........ 2-3When a Lien Is Recorded ...............................2-3Releasing a Recorded Lien ............................2-3Aircraft Documents ................................................2-3Bill of Sale or ConditionalSales Contract ................................................2-3Airworthiness Certificate ...............................2-3Maintenance Records ....................................2-3Manuals ..................................................................2-4Airworthiness .........................................................2-4Maintenance ...........................................................2-4Pre-Purchase Inspection ........................................2-4Light-Sport Aircraft ................................................2-4Amateur-Built Aircraft ...........................................2-4Military Surplus Aircraft ........................................2-5Chapter 3:Airworthiness Certifcate .........................3-1Classifications of Airworthiness Certificates .......... 3-1Standard Airworthiness Certificate ..............3-1Special Airworthiness Certificate ..................3-2Issuance of an Airworthiness Certificate ............... 3-3Applying for an Airworthiness Certificate ............. 3-3FAA Form 8100-2,Standard Airworthiness Certificate .............. 3-3FAA Form 8130-7,Special Airworthiness Certificate ..................3-3Regulations and Policies ........................................3-3Title 14 of the Code ofFederal Regulations .......................................3-3FAA Orders (as revised) ................................3-3FAA Advisory Circulars (ACs) (as revised) ... 3-3Chapter 4:Aircraft registration ...................................4-1Aircraft Registration Branch ..................................4-1Eligible Registrants ................................................4-2Registering Your Aircraft .......................................4-2Registration Number ..............................................4-2How To Form an N-Number .........................4-2Other Requirements ......................................4-2Special Registration Number .................................4-2Requesting a SpecialRegistration Number .....................................4-3Placing the Special RegistrationNumber on Your Aircraft ..............................4-3Aircraft Previously Registeredin the United States ................................................4-3Chain of Ownership .......................................4-3Replacement Certificate ofAircraft Registration .....................................4-3Aircraft Previously Registeredin a Foreign Country ...............................................4-3AC Form 8050-1,Aircraft Registration Application ...........................4-4AC Form 8050-3,Certificate of Aircraft Registration .........................4-4Amateur-Built AircraftRegistration and Inspection ...................................4-4xiPlane Sense xiiLight-Sport Aircraft Registration ...........................4-5
State Registration Requirements ...........................4-5
Additional Information ..........................................4-5
Chapter 5:
special Flight Permits .................................5-1
Circumstances Warranting
a Special Flight Permit ........................................... 5-1
Foreign-Registered Civil Aircraft ...........................5-2
Obtaining a Special Flight Authorization...............5-2
Application for Airworthiness Certificate...............5-2
Chapter 6:
light-sport Aircraft ......................................6-1
Definition ................................................................6-1
LSA Certification .................................................... 6-1
LSA Registration .....................................................6-1
Available Resources ................................................6-2
Light Sport Aviation Branch, AFS-610 .........6-2
Experimental Aircraft Association ...............6-2
Regulatory Guidance .............................................. 6-2
Chapter 7:
Aircraft maintenance..................................7-1
Maintenance Responsibilities ................................7-1
14 CFR Part 91, Subpart E ......................................7-1
Manufacturer Maintenance Manuals.....................7-2
Preventive Maintenance .........................................7-2
Inspections ..............................................................7-2
Annual Inspection ..........................................7-2
100-Hour Inspection ......................................7-2
Condition Inspection ......................................7-2
Other Inspection Programs ................................... 7-2
Progressive Inspections .................................7-3
Altimeter System Inspection .........................7-3
Transponder Inspection .................................7-3
Preflight Inspection ........................................7-3
Repairs and Alterations .......................................... 7-3
Minimum Equipment List/
Configuration Deviation List ..................................7-3
FAA Resources ........................................................7-3
Experimental Aircraft .............................................7-3
Chapter 8:
maintenance records .................................8-1
Responsibilities of the Aircraft Owner .................. 8-1
Logbooks .................................................................8-2
Airworthiness Directives ........................................8-2
Safety Directives .....................................................8-2
Service Bulletins .....................................................8-2
FAA Form 337,
Major Repair and Alteration ..................................8-2
Entries into Aircraft Maintenance Records ........... 8-2
14 CFR Part 43, Section 43.9,
Content, form, and disposition of
maintenance, preventive maintenance,
rebuilding, and alteration records (except
inspections performed in accordance
with part 91, part 125, §135.411(a)(1), and
§135.419 of this chapter .................................8-3
14 CFR Part 43, Section 43.11,
Content, form, and disposition of records
for inspections conducted under parts 91
and 125 and §§135.411(a)(1) and 135.419
of this chapter................................................ 8-3
14 CFR Part 91, Section 91.409,
Inspections .....................................................8-3
14 CFR Part 91, Section 91.411,
Altimeter system and altitude
reporting equipment tests and inspections .. 8-3
14 CFR Part 91, Section 91.413,
ATC transponder tests and inspections ........ 8-3
14 CFR Part 91, Section 91.207,
Emergency locator transmitters ...................8-3
Amateur-Built Aircraft ...........................................8-4
Available Resources ................................................8-4
Chapter 9:
Airworthiness directives ..........................9-1
Types of ADs Issued ...............................................9-1
Standard AD Process ..............................................9-1
Emergency AD ........................................................9-1
Superseded AD .......................................................9-2
Compliance with ADs .............................................9-2
Amateur-Built Aircraft ...........................................9-2
Summary of ADs .....................................................9-2
Obtaining ADs ........................................................9-2
Chapter 10:
service diffculty Program .................... 10-1
Background .......................................................... 10-1
FAA Form 8010-4,
Malfunction or Defect Report ............................. 10-1
Maintenance Alerts ............................................. 10-2
Background ................................................. 10-2
Accessing Maintenance Alerts .................... 10-2
Contact Information ................................... 10-2
xiii
Chapter 11:
obtaining FAA Publications
and records .................................................. 11-1
Advisory Circulars ............................................... 11-1
Airworthiness Directives .................................... 11-1
Temporary Flight Restrictions ............................ 11-2
Notice to Airmen ................................................. 11-2
14 CFR .................................................................. 11-2
Handbooks and Manuals .................................... 11-2
Aircraft Records .................................................. 11-2
Request Aircraft Records ............................ 11-2
Format ......................................................... 11-2
Airman Records ................................................... 11-3
Appendix A:
FAA Contact information .......................... A-1
Appendix B:
regulatory Guidance index ....................... B-1
Table of Contents
Plane Sense
xiv
1
Aircraft owner responsibilities
A
ircraft ownership is a serious undertaking, and you should be familiar with the obligations
and responsibilities of aircraft ownership before you make the decision to purchase an
aircraft. Aircraft owners have a variety of responsibilities that have their foundation in the Code
of Federal Regulations (CFR).
documentation
Do you know your ARROW? Before you fly, you need to ensure that you have all of the required
documentation on your aircraft. You are responsible for carrying the following documentation
on your aircraft at all times:
A—Airworthiness Certificate
R—Registration Certificate
R— Radio Station License (Federal Communications Communication (FCC) Radio Station
License, if required by the type of operation)
O— Operating Limitations (which may be in the form of a Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA)-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) and/or Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH))
W—Weight and Balance Documents
Some of these documents are addressed in this chapter, and others are covered in later
chapters. Figure 1-1 at the end if this chapter is an ARROW checklist you can use to ensure you
have all of the required documents. You can expect an FAA aviation safety inspector (ASI) to
ask for these documents any time he or she is inspecting your aircraft and/or assisting you with
a question regarding your aircraft.
m CAUTION: A radio station license is required for any international operations. You must
complete an FCC Form 605, Quick-Form Application for Authorization in the Ship, Aircraft,
Amateur, Restricted and Commercial Operator, and General Mobile Radio Services, available
at www.fcc.gov to obtain an FCC radio station license.
Aircraft registration
The FAA Civil Aviation Registry Aircraft Registration Branch (AFS-750) maintains registration
records on individual aircraft and serves as a repository for airworthiness documents received
from FAA field offices. As an aircraft owner, you are responsible for immediately notifying
AFS-750 of any change of permanent mailing address, the sale or export of your aircraft, or the
loss of your ability to register an aircraft in accordance with Title 14 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR) part 47, section 47.41.
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Plane Sense
Figure 1-2 at the end of this chapter is a sample FAA
Change of Address Notification you can use to inform
AFS-750. Aircraft registration is addressed in more
detail in chapter 4.
14 CFr
14 CFR includes rules prescribed by the FAA gover-
ning all aviation activities in the United States.
A wide variety of activities are regulated, such as
airplane design, typical airline flights, pilot training
activities, hot-air ballooning, and even model rocket
launches. The rules are designed to promote safe
aviation while protecting pilots, passengers, and the
general public from unnecessary risk.
As an aircraft owner, you are responsible for compli-
ance and familiarity with the applicable 14 CFR
part(s) concerning the operation and maintenance
of your aircraft. While the regulations cited below
are not exhaustive, they are a starting point as you
consider aircraft ownership. It is essential that you
remember that you are responsible for complying
with all 14 CFR parts applicable to your aircraft and
aircraft operations.
•As an aircraft owner, you should be familiar with
the provisions of 14 CFR Part 43, Maintenance,
Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Altera-
tion, and 14 CFR Part 91, General Operating and
Flight Rules.
•If you are also a pilot, you should be familiar with
the provisions of 14 CFR Part 61, Certification:
Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors,
and 14 CFR Part 67, Medical Standards and
Certification.
Questions regarding 14 CFR can be addressed to
your local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).
Information about obtaining copies of 14 CFR parts
and FAA publications can be found in chapter 11.
logbooks
Each aircraft has a unique set of logbooks that
document historical data dating back to the manufacturing date of the aircraft. As an aircraft owner,
you have a regulatory obligation to ensure that
your logbooks are complete and kept up to date.
Aircraft logbooks enable the aircraft owner to keep
records of the entire aircraft in chronological order
including: inspections, tests, repairs, alterations,
Airworthiness Directive (AD) compliance, service
bulletins, and equipment additions, removals, or
exchanges. Most logbooks also include sections for
major alterations and altimeter/static system checks.
Anyone performing maintenance on your aircraft
will need complete aircraft logbooks to review the
aircraft’s compliance history before performing maintenance on your aircraft. Information about aircraft
maintenance and aircraft maintenance records can
be found in chapters 7 and 8, respectively.
Aircraft insurance
Aircraft insurance is an important consideration
for any aircraft owner. The type(s) and amount of
insurance you should carry on your aircraft are
influenced by several factors, and you should discuss
these decisions with an insurance agent familiar with
providing aviation insurance policies. Depending
on the usage of your aircraft and who might be flying
the aircraft, you may need Owners, Renters and/or
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) insurance policies
for your aircraft. Responsible aircraft owners always
carry sufficient insurance on their aircraft.
m CAUTION: You should ensure that you are in
compliance with any state insurance requirements
relating to aircraft ownership.
reporting Aircraft Accidents/incidents
Aircraft owners are responsible for complying
with Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations
(49 CFR) part 830 regarding the reporting of aircraft accidents and incidents. You are required to
notify the National Transportation Safety Board
(NTSB) immediately of aviation accidents and
certain incidents.
Accident
An accident is defined in 49 CFR part 830 as “an
occurrence associated with the operation of an
aircraft that takes place between the time any person
boards the aircraft with the intention of flight and
all such persons have disembarked, and in which any
person suffers death or serious injury, or in which
the aircraft receives substantial damage.”
Incident
An incident is defined in 49 CFR part 830 as “an
occurrence other than an accident that affects or
could affect the safety of operations.”
Contacting the NTSB
Contact the nearest NTSB regional office to file a
report. Reports of accidents or incidents should be
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Chapter 1: Aircraft Owner Responsibilities
made to the NTSB regional office associated with the
state in which the accident or incident occurred.
NTSB regions are organized as follows:
•Eastern (Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware,
Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire,
New Jersey, New York, North Carolina,
Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virgin
Islands, Virginia, West Virginia);
•Central (Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota,
Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North
Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas,
Wisconsin);
•Western (American Samoa, Arizona, California,
Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon,
Utah, Washington, Wyoming); and
•Alaska (Alaska).
Contact information for the NTSB regional offices is
located at the end of this chapter in Figure 1-3 and on
the NTSB website at www.ntsb.gov. Your local FSDO
can also direct you to the correct NTSB regional office
in the event of an aircraft accident or incident.
For the purpose of notifying the NTSB, a phone call
is sufficient initially, but a written followup is
required. You will probably be directed to complete
NTSB Form 6120.1, Pilot/Operator Aircraft
Accident/Incident Report, which is available on the
NTSB website at www.ntsb.gov, from the nearest
NTSB regional office, or from your local FSDO.
Filing NTSB Form 6120.1
In accordance with 49 CFR part 830, section 830.5,
you must file a report with the NTSB regional office
nearest the accident or incident within 10 days after
an accident for which notification is required.
Complete Form 6120.1, sign it, and send it by
mail or fax to the applicable NTSB regional office.
Figure 1-4 at the end of this chapter is a sample
NTSB Form 6120.1.
Aviation safety reporting system
The Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) is
an important facet of the continuing effort by
government, industry, and individuals to maintain
and improve aviation safety. The ASRS, which is
administered by the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA), collects voluntarily submitted aviation safety incident/situation reports
from pilots, controllers, and others.
The ASRS acts on the information these reports
contain. It identifies system deficiencies and issues
alerting messages to persons in a position to correct
them. The database is a public repository which
serves the needs of FAA and NASA and those of other
organizations worldwide engaged in research and the
promotion of safe flight.
Purpose
The ASRS collects, analyzes, and responds to voluntarily submitted aviation safety incident reports in
order to lessen the likelihood of aviation accidents.
ASRS data is used to:
•Identify deficiencies and discrepancies in the
National Airspace (NAS) so that these can be
remedied by appropriate authorities.
•Support policy formulation and planning for,
and improvements to, the NAS.
•Strengthen the foundation of aviation human
factors safety research. This is particularly important since it is generally conceded that over
two-thirds of all aviation accidents and incidents
are caused by human performance errors.
Confidentiality
Pilots, air traffic controllers, flight attendants,
mechanics, ground personnel, and others involved
in aviation operations submit reports to the ASRS
when they are involved in, or observe, an incident
or situation in which aviation safety was
compromised. All submissions are voluntary.
Reports sent to the ASRS are held in strict confidence.
ASRS de-identifies reports before entering them into
the incident database. All personal and organizational names are removed. Dates, times, and related
information that can be used to infer an identity are
either generalized or eliminated.
Filing an Incident Report
An ASRS Incident Report is often referred to as
a “NASA Strip.”When submitting an ASRS Incident
Report, or NASA Strip, the submitter completes
the form and sends it to the address indicated, and
NASA returns the identification strip to the
submitter as confirmation of receipt of the form.
You can obtain more information, a copy of the
incident report form, or file the form electronically
on the NASA website at http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov.
Figure 1-5 at the end of this chapter is a sample
ASRS Incident Report.
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Plane Sense safety
The FAA has a number of aviation safety resources
available on its website at www.faa.gov. You can
access safety information by selecting “Safety” from
the main menu bar.
Safety Hotline
You can call the FAA 24-Hour Safety Hotline at
(800) 255-1111 or email the FAA Safety Hotline at
9-AWA-ASY-SAFETYHOTLINE@faa.gov to report:
•Maintenance improprieties
•Aircraft incidents
•Suspected unapproved parts
•Violations of 14 CFR
You can provide your contact information or file an
anonymous report with the FAA Safety Hotline.
Safety Information
You can also find additional information and
aviation data and statistics on the FAA website
at www.faa.gov including:
•Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)
•Aircraft Safety Alerts
•Safety Program Airmen Notification System
•Information for operators
•Safety alerts for operators
•CertAlerts for certificated airports
•Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) Safety
Bulletin
•Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing
(ASIAS)
•Accident and incident data
•Aviation accident reports and statistics
•Runway incursion data and statistics
•Weather
reporting stolen Aircraft/equipment
As an aircraft owner, you should be prepared to
handle the theft of your aircraft or aircraft equipment.
In order to manage the reporting process effectively,
you should keep separate records (in a location away
from the aircraft) of serial numbers for powerplants,
avionics, and other installed items. Report these
serial numbers at the same time the aircraft is stolen.
Law Enforcement
You should immediately report a stolen aircraft to
the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction
at the site of the theft. Ask the agency to report the
theft to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
National Crime Information Center, as this will
initiate notifications to the appropriate government
offices.
Insurance Company
After filing the appropriate reports with your local law
enforcement agency, notify your insurance company
or agent of the stolen aircraft, as appropriate.
Aviation Crime Prevention Institute
You should also notify the Aviation Crime Prevention
Institute (ACPI) of the stolen aircraft. After you
give ACPI all available information, ACPI will send
notices of the theft to industry contacts, embassies,
and other agencies, if applicable. You can contact the
ACPI at:
Aviation Crime Prevention Institute
226 N. Nova Road
Ormond Beach, FL 32174 USA
(800) 969-5473 toll-free
(386) 341-7270 outside U.S.
(386) 615-3378 fax
http://www.acpi.org
Aircraft Registration Branch If enough time has passed that the return of the
aircraft is no longer expected, the owner should write
to AFS-750 requesting that the registration for this
aircraft be canceled. The request should fully describe
the aircraft, indicate the reason for cancellation, be
signed in ink by the owner, and show a title for the
signer, if appropriate.
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Chapter 1: Aircraft Owner Responsibilities
ArroW Checklist
Figure 1-1. ARROW Checklist. You can use this checklist to ensure that you are carrying the appropriate
documentation onboard your aircraft at all times.
stAtUs item desCriPtion
•A—Airworthiness certificate FAA Form 8100-2, Standard Airworthiness
Certificate, or FAA Form 8130-7, Special
Airworthiness Certificate (as applicable)
•R—Registration certificate FAA Form 8050-3, Certificate of Registration
•R—Radio station license FCC Form 605, Quick-Form Application for
Authorization in the Ship, Aircraft, Restricted and
Commercial Operator, and General Mobile Radio
Services, available on FCC website at www.fcc.gov
(if required by the type of operation)
•O—Operating limitations FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)
and/or Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH), and/or
limitations attached to FAA Form 8130-7
•W—Weight and balance Documentation provided by aircraft manufacturer,
maintenance and modification records
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Plane Sense
Figure 1-2. FAA Change of Address Notification (Aircraft Owner). You can obtain instructions for completing
an FAA Change of Address Notification on the FAA website at www.faa.gov or from your local FSDO.
199AZ
Cessna
172
9999
OK 73125
Joe Pilot
123 Beechcraft Way
Oklahoma City
Joe Pilot
SAMPLE
CHANGE OF ADDRESS NOTIFICATION
(AIRCRAFT OWNER)
PRINT OR TYPE
Name of Registered Owner Aircraft Registration Number
N
Manufacturer
Model
Serial Number
Mailing Address (if PO Box, include physical address)
City State Zip Code
SIGNATURE (DO NOT Print or Type) Title
SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS:
(Show appropriate title for signer)
•Individual: Owner must sign.
•Partnership: A general partner must sign.
•Corporation: A corporate officer or managing official must sign.
•Co-owner: Each Co-owner must sign.
•Government: Any authorized person may sign AFS-750-ADCHG-1 (07/04)
(first fold)
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Chapter 1: Aircraft Owner Responsibilities
Figure 1-3. NTSB Regional Offices. The updated list of NTSB Regional Offices, including office hours, is
available on the NTSB website at www.ntsb.gov.
ntsB regional offces
eastern region
Ashburn regional offce
45065 Riverside Parkway
Ashburn, Virginia 20147
Phone: (571) 223-3930
Fax: (571) 223-3926
Parsippany regional offce
2001 Route 46
Suite 310
Parsippany, New Jersey 07054
Phone: (973) 334-6420
Fax: (973) 334-6759
Atlanta regional offce
Atlanta Federal Center
60 Forsyth Street, SW
Suite 3M25
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Phone: (404) 562-1666
Fax: (404) 562-1674
miami regional offce
8405 N.W. 53rd Street
Suite B-103
Miami, Florida 33166
Phone: (305) 597-4610
Fax: (305) 597-4614
Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina,
Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virgin
Islands, Virginia, West Virginia
Central region
Chicago regional offce
31 West 775 North Avenue
West Chicago, Illinois 60185
Phone: (630) 377-8177
Fax: (630) 377-8172
denver regional offce
4760 Oakland Street
Suite 500
Denver, Colorado 80239
Phone: (303) 373-3500
Fax: (303) 373-3507
Arlington regional offce
624 Six Flags Drive
Suite 150
Arlington, Texas 76011
Phone: (817) 652-7800
Fax: (817) 652-7803
Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,
Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin
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Plane Sense Figure 1-3. NTSB Regional Offices (continued).
Alaska region
Anchorage regional offce
222 West 7th Avenue
Room 216, Box 11
Anchorage, Alaska 99513
Phone: (907) 271-5001
Fax: (907) 271-3007
Alaska
ntsB regional offces
Western region
seattle regional offce
19518 Pacific Highway South
Suite 201
Seattle, Washington 98188
Phone: (206) 870-2200
Fax: (206) 870-2219
Gardena regional offce
1515 W. 190th Street
Suite 555
Gardena, California 90248
Phone: (310) 380-5660
Fax: (310) 380-5666
Hawaii regional offce
Telework Location
American Samoa, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon,
Utah, Washington, Wyoming
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Chapter 1: Aircraft Owner Responsibilities
Figure 1-4. NTSB Form 6120.1, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report. You can obtain instructions
for completing NTSB Form 6120.1 on the NTSB website at www.ntsb.gov or from your local FSDO.
SAMPLE
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Plane Sense
Figure 1-4. NTSB Form 6120.1 (page 2 of 9).
SAMPLE
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Chapter 1: Aircraft Owner Responsibilities
Figure 1-4. NTSB Form 6120.1 (page 3 of 9).
SAMPLE
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Plane Sense
Figure 1-4. NTSB Form 6120.1 (page 4 of 9).
SAMPLE
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Chapter 1: Aircraft Owner Responsibilities
Figure 1-4. NTSB Form 6120.1 (page 5 of 9).
SAMPLE
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Plane Sense
Figure 1-4. NTSB Form 6120.1 (page 6 of 9).
SAMPLE
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Chapter 1: Aircraft Owner Responsibilities
Figure 1-4. NTSB Form 6120.1 (page 7 of 9).
SAMPLE
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Plane Sense
Figure 1-4. NTSB Form 6120.1 (page 8 of 9).
SAMPLE
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Chapter 1: Aircraft Owner Responsibilities
Figure 1-4. NTSB Form 6120.1 (page 9 of 9).
SAMPLE
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Plane Sense
Figure 1-5. ASRS Incident Report. You can obtain an ASRS Incident Report and/or file the form online at the
NASA website at http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/.
SAMPLE
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Chapter 1: Aircraft Owner Responsibilities
Figure 1-5. ASRS Incident Report (page 2 of 2).
SAMPLE
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Plane Sense
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Buying an Aircraft
2T he purchase of an aircraft represents a major commitment that should be approached
carefully and cautiously, especially when buying a used aircraft. For many aircraft owners,
it represents the largest single lifetime investment next to buying a home. Quite often, the
purchase price of an aircraft approximates or exceeds the price of a new home.
Particularly when buying a used aircraft, it is wise to have the selected aircraft inspected by
a qualified person or facility before you complete the transaction. The condition of the air-
craft and the state of its maintenance records can be determined by persons familiar with the
particular make and model. Pre-purchase inspections should be performed by a Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) certificated airframe and powperplant mechanic (A&P) or
an approved repair station. The Buying an Aircraft Checklist (Figure 2-1 at the end of this
chapter) is a suggested list of items to consider when purchasing an aircraft.
selecting the Aircraft
One of the most common mistakes in purchasing an aircraft is to make a decision too quickly.
Take the time to analyze your requirements carefully and be realistic. Consider the typical
flight loading, trip distance, and conditions of flight, then compare aircraft. If possible, rent
the type of aircraft that interests you to determine how well it meets your requirements. Keep
in mind that the biggest expense of owning an aircraft is not always the initial purchase price.
Where to Look
Once you have chosen the type of aircraft that will fit your needs, shop around and do some
pricing. For retail and wholesale price information, check with an aviation trade association,
bank, other financial institution, or Fixed Base Operator (FBO) for the latest aircraft bluebook
values. There are several good publications available that advertise aircraft for sale. Your
local FBO can be very helpful as you look for the right aircraft.
m CAUTION: Try to keep your search for an aircraft close to home. If a problem pops up
after the sale, you may not find the long-distance seller as willing to help you as someone
closer to home.
2-2
Plane Sense
Factors Affecting Resale Value
Know the major factors that affect resale value.
Generally speaking they are:
•Engine hours—perhaps the most common in-
fluence on resale value. The closer an engine is to
its recommended time between overhaul (TBO),
the lower the value. There are many factors that
affect engine health, and a high-time engine is
not necessarily bad. Regular use helps keep seals
and other engine components lubricated and in
good shape.
•Installed equipment—such as avionics, air condi-
tioning, deicing gear and interior equipment.
The most valuable equipment is usually avionics,
which can easily double the value of some older
aircraft. The newer the technology, the higher
the value of the aircraft.
•Airworthiness directives (ADs)—issued by the
FAA for safety reasons. Once issued, owners are
required to comply with the AD within the time
period allotted. It is important to look at the AD
history of an aircraft and ensure the logbooks
show compliance with all applicable ADs. ADs
are discussed in greater detail in chapter 9.
•Damage history—it may be difficult to locate
a complete damage history for an aircraft. Any
aircraft with a damage history should be closely
scrutinized to ensure it has been properly
repaired in accordance with the applicable Title
14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)
parts and recommended practices.
•Paint/Interior—as is the case with homes, paint
can be used to give “tired” aircraft a quick facelift. Check new paint jobs carefully for evidence
of corrosion under the surface. Interior items
should be checked for proper fit and condition.
Overhauls
Be careful of the terminology used to describe
engine condition. Do not confuse a top overhaul with
a major overhaul, or a major overhaul with a factory
remanufactured “zero-time” engine. A top overhaul
involves the repair of engine components outside of
the crankcase. A major overhaul involves the complete disassembly, inspection, repair, and reassembly
of an engine to specified limits. If an engine has had
a top or major overhaul, the logbooks must still show
the total time on the engine, if known, and its prior
maintenance history. A “zero-time” engine is one
that has been overhauled to factory new limits by the
original manufacturer and is issued a new logbook
without previous operating history.
Aircraft records
Aircraft records maintained by the FAA are on file
at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Copies of aircraft records
are available for review in CD format or paper. For
information on ordering and costs, contact the FAA
Civil Aviation Registry Aircraft Registration Branch
(AFS-750). Copies of aircraft records may also be
requested online. Visit www.faa.gov and select the
“Aircraft Registration” link. There may be other
records on file at federal, state, or local agencies that
are not recorded with the FAA. AFS-750 contact
information is in the FAA Contact Information
appendix on pages A1–A2 of this handbook.
Make sure the following documents are available
and in proper order for the aircraft:
•Airworthiness Certificate
•Engine and airframe logbooks
•Aircraft equipment list
•Weight and balance data, placards
•FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)
and/or Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH)
m CAUTION: Missing documents, pages, or
entries from aircraft logbooks may cause significant
problems for the purchaser and reduce the value
of the aircraft.
Aircraft title
The Federal Aviation Act requires the FAA to main-
tain a recording system for aircraft bills of sale,
security agreements, mortgages, and other liens.
This is done at AFS-750, which also processes
applications for, and issues, aircraft registration
certificates. The two systems are linked together
because you must prove ownership in order to
be entitled to register an aircraft.
“Clear title” is a term commonly used by aircraft
title search companies to indicate there are no liens
(e.g., chattel mortgage, security agreement, tax
lien, artisan lien) in the FAA aircraft records. Title
searches for the aviation public are not performed by
AFS-750; however, the aircraft records contain
all of the ownership and security documents that
have been filed with the FAA.
AFS-750 records acceptable security instruments.
In addition, some states authorize artisan liens
(mechanic liens). These also need to be recorded. Be
sure to check your state’s statutes regarding liens.
2
2-3 Chapter 2: Buying an Aircraft
m CAUTION: Federal liens against an owner
(drug, repossession, etc.) may not show up on your
title search.
State law determines lien and security interests.
Although there is no federal requirement to file lien
or security instruments with the FAA, the parties
to these transactions can file their qualifying
documents with AFS-750.
You may search the aircraft records, or have this
done by an attorney or aircraft title search company.
m CAUTION: FAA registration cannot be used in
any civil proceeding to establish proof of ownership.
There is no substitute for examining the aircraft’s
records to secure an ownership history and to
determine if there are any outstanding liens or
mortgages. This procedure should help avoid a
delay in registering an aircraft.
Filing Ownership and Lien Documents
Filing ownership and lien documents constitutes
formal notice to the world of the ownership and
security interests recorded. A person who engages
in a financial transaction involving a U.S. registered
aircraft who does not have a title search performed
is taking a risk. Under the law, that person will be
charged with knowing what is on file with the FAA,
even if he or she does not actually know. A simple
title search will show the federally recorded ownership and lien status of any aircraft registered in
the United States.
When a Lien Is Recorded
When a security agreement or lien document is
recorded, the FAA sends an Aeronautical Center (AC)
Form 8050-41, Conveyance Recordation Notice, to
the secured party. This notice describes the affected
aircraft (and other eligible collateral such as engines,
propellers and air carrier spare parts locations). It
also identifies the recorded document by its date,
the parties, the FAA recording number, and date
of recordation. This recordation notice is sent as a
confirmation that the lien has been recorded and
added to the aircraft record.
Releasing a Recorded Lien
The FAA Form 8050-41 may be used as a release
if the secured party signs below the release statement
and returns the form to the AFS-750. The FAA may
also accept as a release a document that describes
the affected collateral, specifically identifies the lien,
and contains a statement releasing all lienholder
rights and interest in the described collateral from
the terms of the identified lien. The release document
must be signed in ink by the secured party and show
the signer’s title, as appropriate.
A new AC Form 8050-41 may be requested by con-
tacting AFS-750. You will need to describe the aircraft
and the lien document sufficiently to identify the
specific document needing release. AFS-750 contact
information is in the FAA Contact Information
appendix on pages A1–A2 of this handbook.
Aircraft documents
There are numerous documents that should be
reviewed and transferred when you purchase an
aircraft.
Bill of Sale or Conditional Sales Contract
The bill of sale or conditional sales contract is your
proof of purchase of the aircraft and will be recorded
with the FAA to protect your ownership interest.
Airworthiness Certificate
The aircraft should have either FAA Form 8100-2,
Standard Airworthiness Certificate, or FAA Form
8130-7, Special Airworthiness Certificate.
Maintenance Records
The previous owner of the aircraft should provide
the aircraft’s maintenance records containing the
following information:
•The total time in service of the airframe, each
engine, and each propeller;
•The current status of life-limited parts of each
airframe, engine, propeller, rotor, and appliance;
•The time since last overhaul of all items installed
on the aircraft that are required to be overhauled
on a specified time basis;
•The identification of the current inspection status
of the aircraft, including the time since the last
inspection required by the inspection program
under which the aircraft and its appliances are
maintained;
•The current status of applicable ADs, including
for each the method of compliance, the AD
number, revision date, and if the AD involves
recurring action, the time and date when the next
action is required; and
•A copy of current major alterations to each
airframe, engine, propeller, rotor, and appliance.
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Plane Sense manuals
Manufacturers produce owner’s manuals, main-
tenance manuals, service letters and bulletins, and
other technical data pertaining to their aircraft.
These may be available from the previous owner, but
are not required to be transferred to a purchaser.
If the service manuals are not available from the previous owner, you can usually obtain them from
the aircraft manufacturer.
Airworthiness
Two conditions must be met for a standard category
aircraft to be considered airworthy:
•The aircraft conforms to its type design (type
certificate). Conformity to type design is attained
when the required and proper components are
installed that are consistent with the drawings,
specifications, and other data that are part of the
type certificate. Conformity includes applicable
Supplemental Type Certificate(s) (STC) and
field-approval alterations.
•The aircraft is in condition for safe operation,
referring to the condition of the aircraft with
relation to wear and deterioration.
maintenance
14 CFR part 91, section 91.403, places primary
responsibility upon the owner for maintaining the
aircraft in an airworthy condition. This includes
compliance with applicable ADs. The owner is
responsible for ensuring that maintenance personnel
make appropriate entries in the aircraft main-
tenance records, indicating that the aircraft has been
approved for return to service. In addition, the owner
is responsible for having maintenance performed
that may be required between scheduled inspections.
Inoperative instruments or equipment that can be
deferred under 14 CFR part 91, section 91.213(d)(2),
will be placarded and maintenance recorded in
accordance with 14 CFR part 43, section 43.9.
Pre-Purchase inspection
Before buying an aircraft, you should have a mechanic
you trust give the aircraft a thorough inspection
and provide you with a written report of its condition.
While a pre-purchase inspection need not be an
annual inspection, it should include at least a dif-
ferential compression check on each cylinder of the
engine and any other inspections necessary to
determine the condition of the aircraft. In addition
to a mechanical inspection, the aircraft logbooks
and other records should be carefully reviewed for
such things as FAA Form 337, Report of Major
Repair or Alteration, AD compliance, the status of
service bulletins and letters, and aircraft/component
serial numbers.
light-sport Aircraft
Light-sport aircraft is a growing sector of the general
aviation community, specific to the United States.
Several resources are available if you have questions
about acquiring a light-sport aircraft. You can contact
the FAA Light Sport Aviation Branch (AFS-610),
your local FAA Flight Standards District Office
(FSDO), or the Experimental Aircraft Association
(EAA) for assistance. Chapter 6 discusses light-sport
aircraft in greater detail. AFS-610 contact information is in the FAA Contact Information appendix on
pages A1–A2 of this handbook.
Amateur-Built Aircraft
There are several unique considerations when
purchasing an amateur-built aircraft. The pros-
pective buyer is advised to have someone familiar
with the type of aircraft check the aircraft of interest
for workmanship, general construction integrity,
and compliance with the applicable 14 CFR parts.
You can contact your local FAA Manufacturing
Inspection District Office (MIDO) or FSDO to speak
with an FAA aviation safety inspector (ASI) who
can explain the requirements for experimental
certification.
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