Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA): Issuance, Validity, and State Responsibilities

010-02-02Pablo Asensio Martínez2026-03-272 min

The Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA) is an official document issued by the State of Registry confirming that the aircraft complies with the design and construction standards approved by that State and is safe to fly in accordance with applicable airworthiness requirements.

Issuance and Validity (ICAO Annex 8)

  • Issuance: The CofA is issued by a Contracting State based on satisfactory evidence that the aircraft complies with the design aspects of the appropriate airworthiness requirements (3.2.1).
  • State of Registry: It is the authority responsible for ensuring the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft.
  • Legal Requirement: No aircraft shall operate unless it has a valid CofA issued or validated by the State of Registry.

Continuing Validity

A CofA shall be renewed or remain valid provided that the State of Registry requires that the continuing airworthiness of the aircraft be determined by:

  1. A periodic inspection at appropriate intervals.
  2. Or, alternatively, by an inspection system approved by the State that produces an equivalent result (3.2.3).

Temporary loss of validity: Any failure to maintain an aircraft in an airworthy condition renders it ineligible to operate until restored to an airworthy condition (3.5).

Damage to aircraft

If an aircraft sustains damage, the State of Registry must judge whether the damage is such that the aircraft is no longer airworthy (3.6.1).

  • If the damage occurs in another State, that State may prevent the aircraft from resuming flight until the State of Registry is notified.
  • If the State of Registry considers the aircraft unairworthy, it will prohibit flight until verified as repaired.
  • In exceptional circumstances, a flight may be permitted without revenue passengers to an aerodrome where it can be repaired, with specific limiting conditions (3.6.3).

Responsibilities of the State of Design

Until November 25, 2026, the State of Design shall ensure that there exists a continuing structural integrity program for aeroplanes over 5700 kg, including specific information on corrosion prevention and control (4.2.1.1).