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The Flight Playbook

Rules & Regulations

Required Documents, Inspections and Equipment (ARROW, AV1ATE, TOMATO FLAMES)

Not yet source-reviewed2 min readBy Jackson, student pilot

What you'll learn: the paperwork and equipment that make an airplane airworthy for your flight. Sources: 14 CFR 91.203, 91.205, 91.213, 91.409.

Documents aboard: ARROW

Airworthiness certificate (displayed)
Registration certificate (valid for 7 years under current rules)
Radio station license (international flights only)
Operating limitations (POH/AFM, placards, markings)
Weight and balance data

Inspections: AV1ATE

Item	Interval	Rule
Annual	12 calendar months	91.409
VOR check (IFR)	30 days	91.171
100-hour (if for hire or flight instruction for hire)	100 hours	91.409
Altimeter/static (IFR)	24 calendar months	91.411
Transponder	24 calendar months	91.413
ELT	12 calendar months (battery rules too)	91.207

Also check Airworthiness Directives (ADs) are complied with.

Day VFR equipment: TOMATO FLAMES (91.205(b))

Tachometer, Oil pressure, Manifold pressure (as applicable), Altimeter, Temperature gauge (liquid-cooled), Oil temperature, Fuel gauge, Landing gear position (retractable), Airspeed indicator, Magnetic compass, ELT, Seat belts. Plus anticollision lights for airplanes certificated after March 11, 1996.

Inoperative equipment (91.213(d), no MEL)

Is it required by the type certificate/equipment list (KOEL), 91.205, an AD, or another rule? If yes, you can't fly.
If not required: remove or deactivate it and placard it "INOPERATIVE".
A pilot or mechanic must determine it doesn't create a hazard.

Check yourself

2 questions. Pick an answer to see why it's right or wrong.

Scenario: No MEL. Your landing light is inoperative on a day VFR, not-for-hire flight, and it isn't on the KOEL. What do you need to do?Answer: Deactivate if needed, placard 'INOPERATIVE', and confirm no hazard. Correct (91.213(d)).

Sources, review & change history

Published: Oct 16, 2026
Last source review: Not yet re-checked against primary sources
Reviewer: No independent reviewer yet. Written by Jackson, a student pilot, not a CFI.
Scope: U.S.-registered airplanes operated under Part 91 without an MEL.

Primary sources

Changes

Oct 17, 2026: First published.

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