Jurisdiction Mapping Sets

The regulatory framework that governs the certification of aircraft, engines, propellers, and articles (parts and appliances), including procedures for type certificates, supplemental type certificates, production approvals, airworthiness certificates, and export airworthiness approvals. Part 21 is the foundational regulation that defines how a product progresses from design approval to production and operational service.

The mechanisms by which certification authorities delegate specific approval privileges to qualified individuals or organizations, enabling them to perform certain certification activities on behalf of the authority. Delegation reduces the authority's direct workload while maintaining safety oversight. Each jurisdiction has evolved different delegation structures reflecting its regulatory philosophy.

A Technical Standard Order (TSO) is a minimum performance standard issued by the certification authority that an article (equipment or appliance) must meet in order to receive a TSO Authorization (TSOA). A TSOA certifies that the article meets the applicable TSO performance standard and may be installed on any applicable aircraft. The FAA issues TSOs under 14 CFR Part 21 Subpart O. EASA issues European Technical Standard Orders (ETSOs) under Part 21 Subpart O. TCCA issues Canadian Technical Standard Orders (CAN-TSOs).

A design approval issued for a major modification to the type design of an existing type-certificated product (aircraft, engine, or propeller). The STC approves the design change and the associated installation instructions, maintenance data, and, where applicable, flight manual supplements. The STC holder has the authority to produce the modification kit and the obligation to provide Instructions for Continued Airworthiness.

Non-mandatory guidance material published by certification authorities that provides acceptable means of compliance with the regulatory requirements, explanatory material, and recommended practices. While not legally binding, guidance documents describe methods that the authority has pre-accepted as demonstrating compliance with the applicable rules, and deviation from them typically requires coordination with the authority to establish an equivalent alternative means.

Formal mechanisms used by certification authorities to document and track specific certification issues, concerns, or special conditions that arise during a certification project and require resolution between the applicant and the authority. These instruments capture the authority's position on a compliance matter, the agreed means of compliance, and the resolution.

The authorized release certificate that accompanies an aircraft part, component, or appliance to attest that the article has been manufactured, inspected, and/or tested in accordance with approved data and is in a condition for safe installation. The release certificate provides the traceability between the physical article and its approved design, and it is the primary document used by maintenance organizations to determine whether an article is eligible for installation on an aircraft.