Certification & Approval Types

A formal approval issued by the certifying authority that confirms a product's type design complies with the applicable airworthiness requirements. A TC is issued for aircraft, aircraft engines, and propellers upon successful completion of the type certification process, which involves demonstrating compliance with every applicable regulation in the certification basis through analysis, test, and inspection. The TC defines the approved type design, operating limitations, applicable regulations, and conditions and limitations.

A modification to an existing Type Certificate that reflects a major change in the type design. An Amended TC is sought when the TC holder (or a person with proper licensing agreements) proposes changes that are significant enough to be classified as a major change but do not warrant a new, separate TC. The certification basis for an ATC typically includes the original TC certification basis plus any additional requirements triggered by the nature and extent of the change, as determined by the authority.

A design approval issued to an applicant who is not the TC holder, authorizing a major modification to an existing type-certificated product. An STC grants the holder the right to modify the product as described in the STC design data and to produce the modification components (or have them produced). The STC holder becomes responsible for the continued airworthiness of the modification, including providing ICAs, addressing unsafe conditions related to the modification, and ensuring compatibility with the underlying TC.

A Supplemental Type Certificate that includes an Approved Model List, which specifies multiple aircraft models on which the modification may be installed. An AML STC enables a single design approval to cover installation of a modification (typically avionics equipment or interior modifications) across many different aircraft types, rather than requiring separate STCs for each aircraft model. The STC holder demonstrates compatibility with each aircraft model listed on the AML.

The classification of a change to a type design as either major or minor, which determines the approval process and regulatory path. A major change is one that has an appreciable effect on the weight and balance, structural strength, performance, powerplant operation, flight characteristics, or other qualities affecting the airworthiness of the product, or that is not done according to accepted practices or cannot be done by elementary operations. A minor change is one that does not meet the criteria for major. Major changes require more extensive compliance demonstration and authority involvement.

A minimum performance standard for specified articles (materials, parts, processes, appliances, or components) issued by the FAA under 14 CFR Part 21, Subpart O. A TSO defines the minimum performance criteria that an article must meet, typically by referencing industry standards (such as RTCA DO- documents or SAE standards). A TSO Authorization (TSOA) is issued to a manufacturer who demonstrates that their article meets the applicable TSO standard, authorizing them to produce and mark the article as TSO-approved.

A combined design and production approval issued by the FAA under 14 CFR Part 21, Subpart K, that authorizes a manufacturer to produce and sell replacement or modification parts for installation on type-certificated products. A PMA holder must demonstrate that the part meets the applicable airworthiness requirements (design approval) and that the manufacturing quality system can consistently produce conforming parts (production approval). PMA parts are approved for installation as alternatives to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts.

The formal authorization to perform a specific repair on a type-certificated product. Repairs are classified as major or minor, with major repairs requiring approved data from an authorized source before the work can be performed. Sources of approved repair data include the TC/STC holder's repair documentation, DER-approved repair designs, FAA-approved repair data, and repair data in the manufacturer's structural repair manual (SRM). The repair must restore the product to at least its original or properly altered condition.

A document issued by the TC or STC holder that describes a recommended modification, inspection, or other action to be performed on an in-service product. Service Bulletins may address safety improvements, performance enhancements, or product improvements. SBs are typically not mandatory unless they are referenced by an Airworthiness Directive (AD) or required by an operator's approved maintenance program. When an AD mandates an SB, the SB becomes the approved data source for performing the required action.

An FAA approval issued under 14 CFR Part 21, Subpart F, that authorizes a manufacturer to produce duplicate products (aircraft, engines, propellers) under an approved type design without the FAA performing individual article conformity inspections. A PC holder must maintain a quality system that ensures each product conforms to the approved type design and is in a condition for safe operation. The PC is the FAA's primary production approval for complete products.

The standard FAA form used to certify that a new or repaired/overhauled article (part, component, appliance) has been manufactured, inspected, tested, or maintained in accordance with approved data and is approved for return to service. An 8130-3 is issued by entities authorized by the FAA, including Production Certificate holders, PMA holders, TSO Authorization holders, repair stations, and FAA designees. It serves as both an airworthiness approval tag and an export airworthiness approval when used for international trade.

The standard EASA form used to certify that a new, repaired, or overhauled article has been manufactured or maintained in accordance with approved data and is released for service. EASA Form 1 is issued by organisations approved under EASA Part 21 (POA holders for new production) or EASA Part 145 (maintenance organisations for maintained articles). It serves as the primary airworthiness release document in the European system and is recognized internationally under bilateral agreements.

The standard Transport Canada form used to certify that an article has been manufactured, repaired, or overhauled in accordance with approved Canadian data and is released for service. TCCA Form One is issued by approved organisations under the Canadian regulatory framework and serves the same function as the FAA Form 8130-3 and EASA Form 1 in their respective jurisdictions.

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).

A physical inspection performed to verify that a test article, production article, or installation conforms to the approved type design data (drawings, specifications, and process documents). During type certification, conformity inspections are conducted on test specimens before compliance testing to ensure the test article accurately represents the intended design. In production, conformity inspections verify that manufactured articles match the approved design. Conformity inspections may be performed by the FAA, a DAR, or an ODA unit member.

Technical data (engineering drawings, repair procedures, modification instructions, test results) that has been reviewed and formally approved by the certifying authority or an authorized delegate (DER, ODA, DOA). Approved data carries the full weight of regulatory authorization and may be used as the basis for manufacturing, modifying, or repairing type-certificated products. Examples of approved data include TC/STC design data, DER-approved repair data, PMA design data, and manufacturer's repair manuals approved under the TC.

Technical data that, while not formally approved by the authority or a delegate, is recognized as an adequate basis for performing maintenance, preventive maintenance, and minor alterations. Acceptable data sources include AC 43.13-1B (Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices), manufacturer's maintenance manuals, and industry-standard repair practices. Acceptable data may be used for work that does not require approved data (i.e., minor repairs and minor alterations).