Aviation Industry

Certification Requirements
( Part 1)
Dr. Anwar Al Assaf
Introduction
• Aviation industry is the most heavily regulated of all transportation
modes.
• Ground vehicles regulation are safety and pollution oriented
• Rail roads and water vessels undergo more strengthen controls
• Aviation Industry has considerable amount of regulations from design
, through manufacturing to operation and maintenance.
Aviation Industry Most heavily regulated
Design of vehicles
• Design
• Manufacturing
• Operation
• Maintenance
Full certification
• 3 certificates necessary; those are
• Type certificate
• Production certificate
• Airworthiness certificate

• Those certificates certify

• Aircraft design
• Manufacturing process
• Aircraft itself

Respectively
Type Certificate (TC)
• FAA 8110.9
• Each aircraft designed and built for commercial as well for private
operation must have an approved type certificate (TC).
• This certificate defines
• Vehicle
• Its Engine
• Various instruments
• Systems
• Equipment
 Type Certificate (TC) TC awarded only
to:
• Products manufactured in U.S.
• Foreign-made products
• Use under U.S. registry
• U.S. operators under lease or charter
Type Certificate (TC) Apply for TC in
early stages of design Vehicle
• Engines
• Propellers
• Various instruments
• systems/equipment
• Capabilities/limitations
• Passenger
• cargo limits
• Altitude limits
• Fuel capacity
• Cruise speed (top speed)
Type Certificate (TC) Data Sheet Designed
to exact FAA standards
Data Sheet
Attached to type certificate
Identified parameters
Designed to exact FAA standards
Safety
Airworthiness
Design must be proven
 Inspections
 Test flights
 Final FAA proving flight
TC Awarded Remains in effect until
• Superseded
• Revoked
• Termination date established by FAA
Supplemental TC 
Variations or derivatives of model
• TC amended
• Required FAA approval
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)
 Define existing product
 Modifications affecting original design
 Additional data sheet
Design must be proven
Final FAA proving flight
TC then awarded
 Production Certificate (PC)
Manufacturer applies for
• After TC is awarded
• FAA Manufacturing Inspection District Office (MIDO)

• FAA is satisfied with

• Quality control system
• Necessary manufacturing/production facilities
• Effective quality system for compliance
• Approved design data of each unit built to TC standards
• Each aircraft built to TC design
 Production Certificate (PC)
Manufacturer applies for
One production certificate
 Subsequent aircraft added to original PC
 May also list limitations
PC effective
 Manufacturer complies with requirements
 FAA (for just cause)
 Revokes
 Suspends
 Supersede
New technology, aircraft, derivative
 Additional FAA inspections of manufacturer’s facilities/processes
 Airworthiness Certificate (AC)
Awarded for each aircraft manufactured
 Inspected
 Conform with TC
 Successful flight test
 Contains aircraft’s unique serial (tail) number
Airworthiness Certificate (AC)
Conditions for remaining in effect
 Aircraft meets type design
 Aircraft in condition for safe operation
 Applicable Ads incorporated
 Maintenance/alterations performed in accordance with applicable FARs
Conditions not met – FAA
Cancel
Suspend
Supersede
Revoke
Delivery Inspection
• Customer
• Built to specifications/requirements
• Design
• Options
• Shape
• Color
• Airline logo
• Test flight
• Company flight crew
• Cabin crews
• Discrepancies corrected before delivery
Customer accepts aircraft
Responsible for maintaining airworthy condition
 Operator Certification (OC)
New operator
• Meet requirements of
• Department of Commerce
• Department of Transportation
• Provide necessary information
• Understands commercial aviation operation
• Obtains necessary people, facilities, processes
Operator Certification (OC)
Applicant
• Develop operations specification document
• Type of service offered
• Type of aircraft utilized
• Routes to be flown
• Airports/alternate airports to be used
• Navigation/communication facilities utilized on each route
• Way points used in navigation
• Takeoff/approach routes
• Any alternate approach routes
Operator Certification (OC)
New operator
• DOT ( Department Of Transportation)
• Determines applicant is fit, willing, and able to perform service
• Issues certificate of public convenience and necessity
• Flight Standards District Office (FSDO)
• Issues OC to airline company
• Authorizes carrier to operate service
• Not transferable
• OC remains in effect until
• Surrendered by operator
• Superseded by another certificate
• Revoked by FAA