An Airworthiness Review Certificate is a document that confirms your aircraft has been inspected and is safe to fly

An Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC) is issued by an approved inspector after they examine your aircraft and confirm it meets the safety standards required by aviation authorities. For most general aviation aircraft in the United States, the FAA requires this inspection every 12 calendar months. The certificate itself is valid for exactly one year from the date of issue, and flying without a current ARC is illegal.

The inspection behind the ARC is not the same as an annual maintenance inspection. An ARC review focuses on whether the aircraft is in a condition safe for flight—checking systems, structures, and components for damage, wear, or defects that could affect safety. The inspector looks at maintenance records, test results, and the physical condition of the airframe, engine, and systems. If everything checks out, you get the certificate. If problems are found, you cannot fly until they are corrected.

The cost and time required depend on the aircraft type, its condition, and how thorough the inspection needs to be. A straightforward review might take a few hours; a complex aircraft or one with deferred maintenance can take days. You will need to have the aircraft available for the inspector to examine, and you should have all maintenance records ready.

Key Takeaways

  • An Airworthiness Review Certificate must be current for your aircraft to be flown legally, and it expires exactly 12 months after issue.
  • The inspection examines the airframe, engine, systems, and maintenance history to confirm the aircraft is safe to operate.
  • An approved inspector—either an FAA Designee, a Certificated Airworthiness Representative, or an FAA inspector—must conduct the review.
  • If the inspector finds defects or unresolved maintenance issues, you cannot fly until those items are corrected and the review is completed.
  • You should schedule the inspection before your current certificate expires to avoid a lapse in your legal right to fly.

Who Can Conduct an Airworthiness Review

Three types of inspectors are authorized to issue an Airworthiness Review Certificate. An FAA Designee (also called a Designated Airworthiness Representative or DAR) is a private inspector appointed by the FAA to perform this work. A Certificated Airworthiness Representative (CAR) works for a repair station or manufacturer and has FAA approval to conduct reviews. An FAA inspector employed directly by the Federal Aviation Administration can also perform the review, though this is less common for general aviation because FAA inspector availability is limited.

You choose which inspector to use. Many owners work with the shop that maintains their aircraft, since that shop often has a CAR on staff or a relationship with a DAR. You can also contact your local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) for a list of DARs in your area. Whoever you choose must be approved for the specific category and class of aircraft you own—a DAR approved for single-engine piston aircraft cannot review a turbine helicopter, for example.

What the Inspector Examines During the Review

The inspector follows a checklist that covers the airframe, powerplant, systems, and records. On the airframe, they look for corrosion, cracks, dents, or structural damage that could affect flight safety. They examine the engine for signs of wear, oil leaks, or internal damage. They test or visually inspect all systems—electrical, hydraulic, fuel, flight controls, landing gear, brakes, and instruments—to confirm they work as designed.

The inspector also reviews your maintenance records to verify that required inspections have been completed, that airworthiness directives (mandatory safety upgrades) have been addressed, and that any damage or defects found in previous inspections have been properly repaired. If records are missing or incomplete, the inspector may require additional testing or documentation before issuing the certificate.

If the aircraft has been modified—an engine upgrade, avionics installation, or structural change—the inspector confirms that the modification was done according to FAA-approved procedures and that the aircraft's weight and balance are still within limits. Any unapproved modifications can prevent the certificate from being issued until they are corrected or formally documented.

What Happens If Defects Are Found

When an inspector discovers a defect during the review, they document it and do not issue the certificate until the problem is fixed. The severity of the defect determines what happens next. A minor issue—a worn tire, a loose fastener, a burned-out light—can usually be corrected quickly by a mechanic, and the inspector can complete the review once the repair is done.

A major defect—an engine problem, structural damage, a failed system—requires more extensive repair and may need to be inspected again after the work is complete. You cannot fly the aircraft until the defect is corrected and the inspector confirms it. This is why it is important to schedule your review well before your current certificate expires; if problems are found, you have time to fix them without losing your legal right to fly.

If you disagree with the inspector's findings, you can request a second opinion from another approved inspector or contact your local FSDO to discuss the issue. The FAA can also intervene if you believe the inspector made an error, though this process takes time and is not a quick fix.

Scheduling and Timing Your Review

Your Airworthiness Review Certificate is valid for 12 calendar months from the date of issue. This means if your certificate was issued on March 15, 2024, it expires on March 15, 2025. You should schedule your next review at least a month before expiration to allow time for any repairs that might be needed. Many owners schedule the review during a planned maintenance visit or at the beginning of the flying season.

The inspection itself typically takes between 4 and 16 hours, depending on the aircraft and its condition. A straightforward, well-maintained single-engine aircraft might be done in a day; a complex twin-engine or turbine aircraft, or one with deferred maintenance, can take several days. You will need to have the aircraft available and accessible to the inspector, and you should have all maintenance records, logbooks, and any relevant documentation ready.

If your certificate expires before you schedule a review, your aircraft becomes unairworthy and you cannot fly it legally. If this happens, you must have the review completed and a new certificate issued before you can operate the aircraft again. Plan ahead to avoid this situation.

The Difference Between an ARC Review and Other Inspections

An Airworthiness Review Certificate is sometimes confused with other required inspections, but they serve different purposes. A 100-hour inspection is required for aircraft used for hire or instruction and must be completed every 100 flight hours. An annual inspection is required for all aircraft and must be completed every 12 calendar months. Both are detailed maintenance inspections that check the condition of the aircraft and identify work that needs to be done.

An Airworthiness Review Certificate, by contrast, is a confirmation that the aircraft is currently safe to fly. It is based on the maintenance records and current condition, not on a separate detailed teardown inspection. In many cases, the annual inspection and the ARC review happen at the same time—the mechanic completes the annual inspection, documents the results, and then the inspector reviews those results and the aircraft's overall condition before issuing the certificate.

Some aircraft are exempt from the ARC requirement. Experimental aircraft, ultralight vehicles, and some older aircraft may have different inspection rules. Check your aircraft's type certificate and the regulations that explore to your specific aircraft to understand what inspections you actually need.

Keeping Your Certificate Current and Your Records Organized

Once you receive your Airworthiness Review Certificate, keep it in your aircraft or in a safe place where you can access it quickly. The certificate itself is a small document, but it is proof that your aircraft is legal to fly. You should also keep a copy in your maintenance records for reference.

Between reviews, maintain your aircraft according to the manufacturer's recommendations and the FAA's regulations. Keep detailed records of all maintenance, repairs, and inspections. If an airworthiness directive is issued for your aircraft, comply with it and document the work in your logbook. These records will make your next review faster and easier because the inspector will see that the aircraft has been properly maintained.

Set a reminder for yourself about two months before your certificate expires so you have time to contact an inspector and schedule the review. If you plan to sell the aircraft, a current Airworthiness Review Certificate is expected and will make the sale process smoother.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fly my aircraft if my Airworthiness Review Certificate has expired?

No. Flying without a current certificate is illegal. Your aircraft is considered unairworthy once the certificate expires, and you cannot operate it until a new review is completed and a new certificate is issued. Plan your review before expiration to avoid this situation.

What if I find a defect after I receive my certificate?

If you discover a defect after the certificate is issued, you should ground the aircraft and have it inspected by a mechanic. Depending on the severity, you may need to contact an inspector or the FAA to determine whether the aircraft is still safe to fly. Do not fly if you suspect a safety problem.

How much does an Airworthiness Review Certificate cost?

The cost varies depending on the inspector, the aircraft type, and the condition of the aircraft. DARs and CARs set their own fees, which typically range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Contact local inspectors for quotes based on your specific aircraft.

Do I need an annual inspection if I have an Airworthiness Review Certificate?

Yes. The ARC review and the annual inspection are separate requirements. Most owners have both completed at the same time by a mechanic and inspector working together, but they are not the same thing. Your aircraft needs both to remain legal to fly.

What happens if the inspector finds my aircraft is not airworthy?

The inspector will not issue the certificate until the defects are corrected. You will need to have a mechanic repair the problems, and then the inspector will re-examine the aircraft before issuing the certificate. You cannot fly until this is complete.