Which item must be in the aircraft and readily accessible in order to operate as PIC, as described?

• A. A flight review endorsement and a logbook showing recency
• B. A medical certificate and license
• C. An airworthiness certificate and registration
• D. A pilot certificate with endorsement showing accomplishment of an annual flight review and a pilot logbook showing recency of experience

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is proving you’re legally authorized to act as PIC and that you’re current. Carrying a pilot certificate along with an endorsement showing you’ve completed a flight review (or equivalent) and having a pilot logbook that shows your recent experience demonstrates both your authority to fly and your recent flight activity. This combination makes it readily verifiable in the cockpit, which is what the question describes as needing to be in the aircraft and accessible.

Having just the airworthiness certificate and registration is also important for the aircraft itself, but those documents don’t prove you’re current or authorized to act as PIC. The medical certificate and license are necessary, but the key point being tested is showing ongoing competency and authorization through your pilot certificate, the flight-review endorsement, and your logbook.