May a pilot operate an aircraft not in compliance with an Airworthiness Directive (AD)?

• A. Yes, If Allowed By The AD
• B. No, Never
• C. Yes, If The Aircraft Is Experimental
• D. Yes, During Ferry Flights Only

Answer: (A)

Airworthiness Directives are mandatory safety rules for aircraft, so you normally cannot fly a plane that isn’t in compliance with an AD. But an AD can include explicit allowances or exceptions—for example, permitting a specific type of operation under defined conditions (such as a ferry flight to a place where the maintenance can be completed). If the AD itself provides that allowance, operating under those terms is permitted. If there’s no such provision, flight is not allowed.

That’s why the correct idea is: you may operate an aircraft not in full compliance only if the AD explicitly allows it. The other options don’t fit because being experimental doesn’t automatically grant noncompliance permissions, and merely stating “ferry flights only” isn’t a universal exception without an AD provision or a separate permit.