Aircraft Certification
Part-21 (CAR 21) initial airworthiness, DOA and POA, the Type Certificate and TCDS, STCs; the Certificate of Airworthiness and Certificate of Registration, the EASA Form 1 and the Permit to Fly.
Aircraft certification, summary notes
- Initial airworthiness, the certification of designs and products, is governed by Part-21 in (EU) 748/2012 (GCAA: CAR 21). It covers Design Organisation Approval (DOA) and Production Organisation Approval (POA).
- A new aircraft design that meets the certification specification is granted a Type Certificate (TC); its approved characteristics and limitations are recorded in the Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS). A change to a type by another organisation can be approved by a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC).
- Each individual aircraft receives a Certificate of Airworthiness (C of A), issued once, and remaining valid so long as the aircraft is maintained in accordance with the rules and its Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC) is kept current.
- The Certificate of Registration (C of R) records the aircraft's registration and owner with the State of Registry; the noise certificate records its noise compliance.
- A component released as serviceable carries an authorised release certificate, the EASA Form 1 (GCAA equivalent form), certifying it was produced or maintained to approved data and is fit for fitment.
- Where a full C of A cannot be issued (e.g. new build not yet complete, experimental, ferry flight), a Permit to Fly may be issued for specific limited flying.
- ⚠ Exam trap: the TCDS is the approved data sheet for the TYPE; the C of A belongs to the INDIVIDUAL aircraft; and a component is released on an EASA Form 1, not a C of A.
- Weight schedule. Every new aircraft is weighed before first delivery to establish its Basic Mass and the corresponding Basic Index, from which the centre of gravity is calculated. Reweighing follows every four years where individual aircraft masses are used, or every nine years where fleet masses are used. The Basic Mass covers the structure and engines but excludes fuel, passengers, crew, catering equipment and any seat that is designed to be moved. Dry Operating Mass builds on it by adding the role equipment actually carried: crew and their baggage, unusable fuel, engine and APU oils, and potable water and chemicals.
- Initial airworthiness
- Part-21 in (EU) 748/2012 · GCAA CAR 21
- Type vs individual
- TC + TCDS = the type · C of A = one aircraft
- Component release
- EASA Form 1 (authorised release certificate)
- Design / production approvals
- DOA · POA · changes via STC
A serviceable overhauled component arrives in stores. Which document proves it may be fitted, and what does that document confirm?
The EASA Form 1 (authorised release certificate). It certifies the component was manufactured or maintained in accordance with approved data and is in a condition for safe operation, the traceable release document that permits fitment.
Where would you find the officially approved model designation, engine limitations and approved configuration for an aircraft type?
The Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS), which accompanies the Type Certificate. It is the definitive record of the type's approved characteristics and limitations, distinct from the individual aircraft's Certificate of Airworthiness.
Aircraft certification concept map
Aircraft Certification
Aircraft certification quiz
Aircraft Certification, quiz
1. Where individual aircraft masses are used, an aircraft must be reweighed every:
Four yearsTwo years, in line with the airworthiness reviewNine years, as for aircraft using fleet masses2. The Basic Mass of an aircraft includes:
The structure and its enginesThe structure, engines and the crew who will operate itThe structure, engines and the unusable fuel remaining3. Dry Operating Mass adds to the Basic Mass:
Crew and their baggage, unusable fuel, engine and APU oils, and potable waterThe payload to be carried, together with the fuel loaded for the sectorThe passengers and their baggage, but not the crew or the catering4. A serviceable component is released for fitment on an:
EASA Form 1 (authorised release certificate)EASA Form 15 (ARC)Air Operator Certificate5. The approved characteristics and limitations of an aircraft TYPE are recorded in the:
Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS)Certificate of AirworthinessJourney log6. An individual aircraft's airworthiness is certified by its:
Certificate of Airworthiness (C of A)Type CertificateEASA Form 17. Initial airworthiness (design and production) is governed by:
Part-21 in (EU) 748/2012Part-M in (EU) 1321/2014Air OPS 965/20128. A change to a type design by a third organisation may be approved by a:
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)Service BulletinMEL entry