Which term describes a flight permit issued to an aircraft that does not meet airworthiness requirements but is capable of safe flight?

• A. Experimental flight permit
• B. Special flight permit
• C. Temporary flight permit
• D. Certification flight permit

Answer: (B)

A Special Flight Permit is the authorization needed when an aircraft doesn’t meet all airworthiness requirements but can be operated safely for a specific purpose. It provides limited, clearly defined permission to fly the airplane to a location for maintenance, to deliver or relocate it, or to conduct limited testing under stated conditions and restrictions. This type of permit recognizes that, while the aircraft isn’t fully certified, its operation won’t pose an undue risk if the pilot adheres to the specified limitations such as route, altitude, and duration. The focus is on enabling essential movement or testing while maintaining safety standards. Other terms describe different scenarios: for example, an experimental flight permit is used for aircraft that are not yet in a standard airworthiness category and are typically in testing or development, while the other terms aren’t standard FAA designations for this situation.