Which certificate assures the aircraft is maintained and operated?

• A. Airworthiness
• B. Registration
• C. Operating license
• D. Manufacturer certification

Answer: (A)

The airworthiness certificate is the one that ensures the aircraft is maintained and operated safely. It signifies that the aircraft meets required safety standards and that ongoing maintenance, inspections, and compliance with applicable directives (like airworthiness directives) are being performed to keep the aircraft in a condition suitable for flight. Without this certificate, the aircraft cannot legally operate.

The registration certificate simply identifies the aircraft and ties it to its owner; it does not reflect the current maintenance state. The operating license is typically about the pilot or operator’s authority to fly, not the aircraft’s condition. The manufacturer certification relates to the design approval given to the aircraft by the regulator, not to the ongoing maintenance status of a specific aircraft.