VFR · Lesson 6 · 6 min · ACS PA.I.A · ACS PA.I.B
Required Documents: On the Pilot and in the Aircraft
Summary
The pilot carries a certificate, a medical when required, and photo ID; the aircraft carries the ARROW documents, with the radio license needed only internationally.
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Required pilot and aircraft documents · Topic mastery: Not started
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Which items must a private pilot have available when acting as pilot in command?
Why this matters in flight
A ramp check or an incident can require you to produce specific paperwork on the spot. Knowing exactly what must be on you and what must be in the aircraft keeps a routine flight from becoming a violation.
Two separate sets of documents matter before every flight. The first set is what the pilot must carry: a valid pilot certificate, an appropriate medical certificate when one is required, and a government-issued photo identification. These must be presented for inspection on request. The second set is what the aircraft must carry, remembered with the mnemonic ARROW: the Airworthiness certificate, the Registration certificate, the Radio station license (only for international operations), the Operating limitations (the approved flight manual and placards), and the Weight and balance data. The airworthiness and registration certificates are the core items that make operating the aircraft legal, and the airworthiness certificate must be displayed where passengers or crew can see it. Keeping both sets current and accessible is a simple habit that prevents a lot of trouble.
Key terms
- ARROW
- Airworthiness, Registration, Radio license, Operating limitations, Weight and balance.
- Airworthiness certificate
- The document certifying the aircraft meets its approved type design and is in condition for safe operation.
- Operating limitations
- The approved flight manual data and placards defining how the aircraft may be operated.
Sources & references · 2 · 3 linked
Every claim traces to a source — paraphrased knowledge elements pointing at the governing FAA publication. Items marked verified have been checked against the retrieved source text; the rest are pending verification. Where the exact page or regulation has been located in a retrieved document, the source links straight to it.
- 14 CFR 61.3 — 14 CFR Part 61 — Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors verified14 CFR 61.3
- 14 CFR 91.9 / 91.203 — 14 CFR Part 91 — General Operating and Flight Rules verified14 CFR 91.914 CFR 91.203
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