Aircraft, aircraft engines, and propellers are all products that are designed according to specific airworthiness standards published in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), published by the FAA. These specific airworthiness standards were developed by the FAA to ensure that aviation products are designed safely.
According to the FAA’s Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, there are different airworthiness standards that apply to the different categories of aviation products:
- Normal, Utility, Acrobatic, and Commuter Category Airplanes- 14 CFR part 23
- Transport Category Airplanes—14 CFR part 25
- Normal Category—14 CFR part 27
- Transport Category Rotorcraft—14 CFR part 29
- Manned Free Balloons—14 CFR part 31
- Aircraft Engines—14 CFR part 33
- Propellers—14 CFR part 35
Once the FAA is satisfied the aircraft complies with the applicable airworthiness standards, it issues a Type Certificate (TC) and generates a Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) that specifies important design and operation characteristics of the aircraft, aircraft engine, and propeller. The TCDS are available to the public from the FAA website at FAA.gov.
Having an airworthiness certificate verifies that the aircraft meets the design and manufacturing standards, and is in safe condition for operation. Airworthiness certificates are either classified as “Standard” or “Special.” Standard airworthiness certificates are white, and are issued for normal, utility, acrobatic, commuter, or transport category aircraft (as well as for manned free balloons and aircraft designated as “Special Class.”
Gliders and powered lifts are considered “special classes” of aircraft and do not have their own set of airworthiness standards, but still have a combination of requirements agreed upon by the FAA and the designer.
Special airworthiness certificates are pink, and are issued for primary, restricted, limited category category, and light sport aircraft. Special airworthiness certificates are also issued as provisional airworthiness certificates, special flight permits (ferry permits), and for experimental aircraft.
For more in-depth information the systems of definition the FAA uses to group and regulate aircraft in a safe manner, check out the article by Air Power, Inc. entitled, “How Does The FAA Group And Regulate Aircraft.” Additional information on airworthiness certificates can be found at FAA.gov or in 14 CFR parts 175-225.
Written by Air Power, Inc. Engine Sales Representative, Joshua Denton.