What is the purpose of an aircraft registration certificate?

• A. It is a maintenance log for the aircraft.
• B. It certifies airworthiness.
• C. It identifies aircraft ownership and must be carried or readily available; shows the N-number.
• D. It lists flight crew licenses.

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that the registration certificate serves as the official record of who owns the aircraft and that the aircraft is registered with the national aviation authority, showing its registration mark (the N-number in the United States). This document must be carried on board or readily available for inspection so authorities can verify the aircraft’s identity and ownership during flight or when checked. It is separate from other documents: a maintenance log tracks repairs and scheduled maintenance, a certificate of airworthiness confirms the aircraft meets safety standards for flight, and licenses belong to individual crew members. In short, the certificate ties the aircraft to its registered owner and identifies it for regulatory purposes, with the registration mark clearly visible on the aircraft.