Standards are defined as ______; they are mandatory and identified by the verb ______.

Standards are defined as ______; they are mandatory and identified by the verb ______.

• A. Affecting the safety of flight; shall
• B. Affecting operational efficiency; should
• C. Desirable; may
• D. Optional; will

Answer: (A)

Standards are binding requirements that ensure safety of flight, and they are written so the obligation is clear through the verb shall. In aviation, when a standard states that an action shall be done, it means that action must be followed; non-compliance is not acceptable. This is what makes standards different from guidance or recommendations, which might use shall, should, or may in ways that imply varying levels of obligation or permissiveness, but not the mandatory enforceability of standards. The use of the word shall signals a mandatory action to be performed, whereas shall would be the wrong choice here because it would imply obligation, not future action.

Standards are binding requirements that ensure safety of flight, and they are written so the obligation is clear through the verb shall. In aviation, when a standard states that an action shall be done, it means that action must be followed; non-compliance is not acceptable. This is what makes standards different from guidance or recommendations, which might use shall, should, or may in ways that imply varying levels of obligation or permissiveness, but not the mandatory enforceability of standards. The use of the word shall signals a mandatory action to be performed, whereas shall would be the wrong choice here because it would imply obligation, not future action.