📘14 CFR §91.9 & §91.203 — Required Aircraft Documents (ARROWPC)

✏️ Plain-English Summary:

Before you fly, the aircraft must have specific documents on board — if even one is missing, it’s not legally airworthy. These documents prove that the aircraft is certified, registered, loaded properly, and operating under its legal limitations. Even if the plane flies fine, missing any of these can ground your flight.

✅ Use the ARROWPC Acronym:

A – Airworthiness Certificate

• FAA-issued document that certifies the aircraft is legal to fly

• Must be visible to passengers (usually mounted near the cockpit)

• Never expires unless revoked or the aircraft is no longer in compliance

R – Registration Certificate

• Must be current and match the N-number of the aircraft

• Federal registration: good for 7 years

• State registration (e.g., Michigan): typically renews annually

• Both must be present if required by the state

R – Radio Station License (Only for international flights)

• Required if flying outside the United States

• Applies to the aircraft and the pilot (Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit)

• Not required for domestic flights

O – Operating Limitations

• Found in the POH/AFM

• Includes placards, markings, and any aircraft-specific limitations

• Must be appropriate for your aircraft’s tail number and configuration

W – Weight & Balance Information

• Must include current and accurate loading and CG data

• Usually stapled into the POH or stored in a separate sheet

• Must reflect any installed equipment changes or STCs

P – Placards

• Required safety and limitation labels installed throughout the cockpit and cabin

• Examples: “No Acrobatic Maneuvers” or “AvGas Only”

• Must be legible and properly located according to the POH

C – Compass Deviation Card

• Shows correction values for the magnetic compass

• Must be mounted near the compass and updated as needed

✈️ Scenario:

During a ramp check, your student pulls out the wrong POH for the aircraft — it’s for a different tail number. ❌ That aircraft is not legal to fly — the Operating Limitations and Weight & Balance data must match the aircraft exactly.

Another student doesn’t realize the federal registration expired last month. ❌ That’s a violation of §91.203 — and could result in an enforcement action.

🎓 CFI Teaching Tip:

Make students physically point to each ARROWPC item in the airplane before any solo or XC. You can say:

“Let’s walk through ARROWPC. Show me where it is and how you know it’s current.”

You’ll be surprised how often students don’t realize they’re flying without a valid state registration or missing placards.

📚 References:

• FAR §91.9 – Civil aircraft flight manual, markings, and placards

• FAR §91.203 – Required airworthiness and registration certificates

• ICAO Article 29 – International radio station license requirement