Field Approval
Section 03: Certification & Approval Types
Definition
An approval granted by an authorized FAA inspector (typically an FSDO inspector or DAR) for a minor alteration or repair to a type-certificated product. Field approvals are used for one-time modifications or repairs on specific aircraft serial numbers when no existing STC, TC holder data, or other pre-approved data covers the specific change. The applicant submits data (drawings, engineering substantiation) to the inspector who evaluates and, if acceptable, approves the data by signing FAA Form 337 (Major Repair and Alteration).
Where This Shows Up
Field approvals are limited to minor alterations and repairs (or major repairs with adequate data). They are not used for major alterations, which require STCs or other formal design approvals. The field approval process is described in FAA Order 8300.16 and is typically used for unique or one-off modifications.
Primary Sources
Related Terms
Need help navigating certification?
Understanding the terminology is the first step. If you need expert guidance on DO-178C, DO-254, ARP4754B, or any aspect of FAA, EASA, or TCCA certification, our team is here to help.