How long is a Certificate of Airworthiness valid under proper maintenance?

A Certificate of Airworthiness is an official document that certifies that an aircraft is safe for flight and meets the necessary regulatory standards. Its validity is primarily contingent upon the aircraft being properly maintained and remaining in compliance with the relevant safety standards and regulations.

When an aircraft is well-maintained and meets all operational requirements, the Certificate of Airworthiness remains valid indefinitely. This implies that, as long as the aircraft is maintained in accordance with maintenance schedules, manufacturers’ guidelines, and applicable aviation regulations, there is no set expiration date on this certificate.

Other answers suggest various time frames for validity which do not accurately reflect the nature of a Certificate of Airworthiness. The concept of an indefinite duration stands in contrast to a specific duration like one year or five years, which implies a mandatory renewal process regardless of maintenance practices. Additionally, while the certificate may become invalid upon ownership changes if the new owner does not continue the requisite maintenance or due diligence, this is a condition of ownership rather than a general validity period.

Therefore, the correct understanding centers around the ongoing responsibility for maintenance rather than a fixed expiration, reinforcing the idea that proper maintenance supports the indefinite validity of the Certificate of Airworthiness.