Airworthiness and registration

Nationality and registration

One registration identifies the State responsible for the aircraft under the Convention.

Identify the aircraft

An aircraft derives support in the atmosphere from reactions of the air other than reactions against the earth’s surface. Heavier-than-air aircraft obtain that support chiefly from aerodynamic forces. The State of Registry is the State on whose register the aircraft is entered. An aircraft cannot be validly registered in more than one State at the same time; a transfer changes the registry through the relevant legal process.

The nationality or common mark precedes the registration mark. ICAO allocates nationality mark series using the international allocation framework; the State assigns individual registration marks. A common mark can identify an international operating agency under the Convention’s arrangements. It is not the same as an airline logo.

Where the marks go

For heavier-than-air aircraft the main marks are normally on the lower surface of the wing and on the fuselage sides or vertical tail surfaces as specified in Annex 7. The purpose is legible identification. The certificate of registration is carried with the aircraft; the painted mark alone is not the documentary certificate.

Lighter-than-air aircraft have different marking locations suited to their structure. The examiner may distinguish the allocation of the nationality mark from the assignment of an aircraft registration. Neither is performed by the local tower.

The certificate of airworthiness

Initial conformity and ongoing condition are connected, but different.

Issue of the certificate

For an aircraft in the EASA system, the competent authority of the Member State of Registry issues the individual certificate of airworthiness under Part-21 when the applicable conditions are met. These include conformity with an approved design and a condition for safe operation, supported by the required evidence. EASA’s type certificate for the design is not the individual aircraft’s CofA.

The certificate is required for operation within the applicable certification framework; a permit to fly serves a specific different purpose and has conditions. Ownership or payment for maintenance alone does not establish legal airworthiness.

Continuing validity

An EASA CofA is normally of unlimited duration subject to continuing compliance, including continued registration, an acceptable continuing-airworthiness condition and no surrender, suspension or revocation. The airworthiness review certificate is time-limited and supports the continuing-airworthiness review regime. Do not describe an annual ARC as an annual reissue of the underlying CofA.

The owner and, for the applicable operation, the operator and approved continuing-airworthiness organisation have the responsibilities allocated by Regulation 1321/2014. Approved maintenance organisations and certifying staff perform their assigned maintenance and release tasks. A certificate of release to service for a job does not replace the whole continuing-airworthiness system.

Can you apply the rules?

Four original questions. Choose from the facts, then review the explanation.