Definition
An FAA-issued certificate (typically FAA Form 8100-2) that confirms an aircraft conforms to its approved type design and is in a condition for safe operation. It remains valid as long as the aircraft is maintained in accordance with applicable FAA regulations, including required inspections. It must be displayed in the aircraft where it is legible to the crew and passengers.
Plain English
An official FAA document, kept in the aircraft, that says this aircraft is safe and legal to fly as long as it is properly maintained and inspected.
Context Anchor
A pilot checks this during preflight when confirming the required aircraft documents before operating the airplane.
Derivation
Airworthiness' combines 'air' with 'worthiness' (from Old English 'weorth,' meaning value or fitness). It literally means 'fit for the air.' 'Current' here means still in effect — not expired or invalidated by lapsed maintenance.
Why Pilots Care
Federal regulations require a current airworthiness certificate for the aircraft to be flown legally.
Intuition Check
Current does not mean electrical current here. It means the certificate is valid now and has not become invalid because of missing inspections, improper maintenance, or FAA action.
Example Sentence 1
During preflight, the pilot confirmed the current airworthiness certificate was displayed in the cabin and visible to passengers.
Example Sentence 2
An aircraft loses its Current Airworthiness Certificate if scheduled maintenance is not completed on time.