What documents are required to be carried onboard my amateur-built aircraft?
A. Many pilots use the mnemonic ARROW to remember what documents need to be carried aboard their aircraft. This works for all aircraft, regardless of what type of airworthiness certificate it carries. Here’s what ARROW stands for, with pertinent regulations quoted. (See notes specific to amateur-built aircraft at the end): Airworthiness Certificate: This is required by 14 C.F.R. § 91.203, which states in part: “(a) Except as provided in § 91.715, no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it has within it the following: (1) An appropriate and current airworthiness certificate. Each U.S. airworthiness certificate used to comply with this subparagraph…must have on it the registration number assigned to the aircraft under part 47 of this chapter…” Note that the airworthiness certificate be displayed in the aircraft, as required by § 91.203(b): “(b) No person may operate a civil aircraft unless the airworthiness certificate required by paragraph (a) of this section or a special flight a
