What happens to the Airworthiness Certificate when an airworthy aircraft is sold?

When an airworthy aircraft is sold, the Airworthiness Certificate is transferred with the aircraft to the new owner. This is because the Airworthiness Certificate is tied to the aircraft itself, not the owner. The new owner takes on the responsibility for maintaining the aircraft in an airworthy condition and can continue to operate it under the same certificate, provided that the aircraft still meets all the necessary standards and requirements.

The certificate serves as an assurance that the aircraft has been inspected and deemed airworthy at the time of sale, assuming it has not been altered or subjected to conditions that would affect its airworthiness since the last inspection. Thus, a new owner can operate the aircraft under that existing certificate until it is either superseded by a new inspection or revoked due to non-compliance with airworthiness standards.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the policies governing Airworthiness Certificates. There is no requirement for renewal simply because ownership has changed; rather, it remains valid as long as the aircraft meets the established criteria. The certificate is not destroyed upon sale, as it remains valid and operational. Finally, the certificate does not remain solely with the original owner, as ownership transfer is a common occurrence in the aviation industry.