The Airworthiness Certificate and the ARROW Documents

Before a flight is legal, the right documents must be aboard the aircraft. The classic memory aid is ARROW.

ARROW

• A — Airworthiness certificate. Issued once and has no expiry; it remains valid as long as the aircraft is maintained and inspected per the regulations and the registration stays current. 14 CFR 91.203 requires it to be displayed where passengers or crew can see it.
• R — Registration certificate. Also required aboard by 91.203. US registrations must be renewed (they expire), so check the date.
• R — Radio station license. Required only for international operations (an FCC license); domestic US flight does not need one.
• O — Operating limitations. The current approved flight manual / POH, plus the required placards and instrument markings (14 CFR 91.9). Together these define how the aircraft may be operated.
• W — Weight and balance data. The current, aircraft-specific weight-and-balance information (see weight and balance: a practical guide).

Airworthy vs "has a certificate"

Holding an airworthiness certificate is necessary but not sufficient. Under 91.203 and the definition of airworthiness, the aircraft must also conform to its type certificate and be in condition for safe operation — which is why the annual inspection, AD compliance and required equipment all matter on every flight.

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*Reference and training only — not for navigation or as legal advice. Always consult the current 14 CFR, the AIM, your aircraft’s POH/AFM and a certificated flight instructor.*