A standard airworthiness certificate is an airworthiness certificate issued for an aircraft by the national aviation authority in the state in which the aircraft is registered. A standard airworthiness certificate is one of the certificates that are mandatory if an aircraft is to be used in commercial operations. In the USA, Australia and some other countries, a standard airworthiness certificate is issued in one of the following categories:[1]
The airworthiness certificate must be carried on board the aircraft and must be presented to a representative of the aviation authority upon request.
A standard airworthiness certificate remains valid as long as the aircraft meets its approved type design and is in a condition for safe operation. In the USA, a standard airworthiness certificate remains effective providing the maintenance, preventive maintenance and alterations are performed in accordance with relevant requirements and the aircraft remains registered in the USA.[2]
A standard airworthiness certificate ceases to be valid when the aircraft ceases to be registered. Change of ownership of an aircraft does not require re-issue or re-validation of that aircraft’s standard airworthiness certificate.
In contrast to a standard airworthiness certificate, an aircraft may be issued with a special airworthiness certificate. Examples of aircraft which are not eligible for standard airworthiness certificates but may be eligible for special airworthiness certificates include agricultural aircraft, experimental aircraft, and some ex-military aircraft.[1]