Airworthiness Certificate

In the context of aerospace engineering, an Airworthiness Certificate is a document issued by a governing aviation authority, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States or the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), to certify that an aircraft is safe and fit for flight according to the standards and regulations of the issuing authority. The certificate is issued after a thorough inspection and evaluation of the aircraft's design, construction, maintenance, and operation. The process involves rigorous testing and examination of the aircraft's systems, components, and performance capabilities to ensure they meet the required safety standards. The Airworthiness Certificate is an essential document that must be on board the aircraft at all times during operation. It is valid as long as the aircraft is maintained in accordance with the aviation authority's regulations and the aircraft's maintenance manual. The certificate is divided into two categories: Standard Airworthiness Certificates for aircraft that meet the standard category of airworthiness as defined by the aviation authority, and Special Airworthiness Certificates for aircraft that do not meet the standard category but are still safe for flight.