What must an aircraft comply with to maintain airworthiness?

To maintain airworthiness, an aircraft must comply with all regulatory maintenance requirements set forth by aviation authorities. These requirements include regular inspections, maintenance schedules, and adherence to any airworthiness directives issued by the regulatory body. This establishes a framework ensuring that the aircraft is in a condition for safe operation, free from any mechanical defects that could compromise safety.

Regulatory maintenance requirements encompass a wide range of activities, including but not limited to, pre-flight inspections, scheduled maintenance checks, and repairs as necessary. By adhering to these standards, aircraft operators ensure that the aircraft is not only maintained in optimum condition but also compliant with the law, thus avoiding penalties or operational restrictions.

The other options, while relevant in their own contexts, do not encapsulate the overall requirements for airworthiness as comprehensively as the regulatory maintenance requirements. Minimum flight hours pertain to pilot experience rather than aircraft condition. Regular pilot training is essential for ensuring safe operation but does not affect the physical airworthiness of the aircraft. Routine landing gear checks are specific to a part of the aircraft rather than addressing the whole airworthiness framework.