For an aircraft to be approved for return to service after an annual inspection, which item must be present?

For an aircraft to be approved for return to service after an annual inspection, the presence of the aircraft data plate is crucial. The data plate, which typically contains vital information about the aircraft such as its serial number, type certificate number, and manufacturing details, serves as proof that the aircraft is identifiable and meets the necessary regulations established for certification and safety.

While an airworthiness certificate, aircraft registration, and maintenance logbook are all important documents related to aircraft operation and maintenance, they are not specifically required to be present for an aircraft to be granted return to service after an annual inspection. The focus during the inspection is on ensuring that the aircraft complies with safety standards and that vital identifying information is properly documented through the data plate. This reinforces the importance of the data plate as it directly links the aircraft to its regulatory compliance and safety history, crucial for any return to service decision.