What is a special flight permit?

A special flight permit is issued for aircraft that may not meet standard airworthiness requirements but are still considered safe for flight under specific conditions. This permit allows for the operation of an aircraft that might be temporarily unairworthy, such as planes that require repairs, maintenance, or alterations that do not meet the regulations for a fully airworthy aircraft.

The intention behind a special flight permit is to enable the aircraft to conduct certain flights, such as transporting the aircraft to a location for repairs or conducting flight tests for the purpose of demonstrating compliance with airworthiness standards. It is crucial that while the aircraft may not fully comply with all airworthiness regulations at that moment, it is deemed safe under the circumstances in which it will operate.

Other options look at different scenarios that don't accurately represent the purpose or definition of a special flight permit. For instance, flying at night requires adherence to specific regulations and does not necessitate a special flight permit. Similarly, a permit for aircraft that meet airworthiness requirements would not be classified as "special," as these aircraft can operate under standard regulations without needing additional permissions. Restrictions related specifically to experimental aircraft also fall outside the broader definition of a special flight permit, since not all special flight permits are limited to experimental craft.