C of A invalidation

C of A invalid in flight when (AIR 4.2):

• Flown outside approved Aircraft Flight Manual envelope
• Unapproved equipment installed
• Equipment intentionally disabled
• Inoperative equipment not covered by approved MEL or maintenance deferral action
• External load not approved in the type design (TC or STC): out of force (CAR 605.03(1)(b), 507.11; AC 500-004 para 3(3))

Once invalid: only a TC-issued Flight Permit authorizes flight.

External loads (AC 500-004):

• Design approval: external loads need design approval except minimal-effect items: skis, snowshoes, hunting rifles, fishing rods, and miniature digital cameras in a non-interference area (para 3(5), 4.1(1)).
• AFM supplement: the aircraft flight manual (AFM) supplement must cover affected flight manual areas and weight and balance changes (para 6.7(a)-(b)).

Trap: inoperative equipment covered by approved MEL or maintenance deferral action does not invalidate C of A; an external load not approved in the type design takes the C of A out of force, even with all seven conditions met.

Practice