Implementation Procedures for Airworthiness (IPA) Frequently Asked Questions

Steps to Obtain CAAC Certification Approvals

Type Certificate (TC)

• General Information
• TC Application Procedure
• Post-Application/Pre-TC Issuance Procedure
• Establish Cert Basis for Approval
• Issuance of the TC

Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)

• General Information
• STC Application Procedure
• Post-Application/Pre-STC Issuance Procedure
• Establish Cert Basis for Approval
• Issuance of the STC

Lists

The Implementation Procedures for Airworthiness (IPA) between the FAA and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) references 3 outside lists, identified in section 3.5.3.3(a): Special Emphasis Items (SEI), 3.5.3.3(k): Significant Standards Differences (SSD), and 3.5.3.3(o): Areas for Further Technical Confidence Building (AFTCB).

CAAC lists: apply to U.S. approvals seeking validation by the CAAC

• Special Emphasis Items (SEI) List
• Significant Standards Differences (SSD) List *
  * Note: Although the CAAC SSD list indicates a requirement for Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICAs) in Chinese, ICAs in English are acceptable to the CAAC, pending a clarifying note in a future revision of the SSD list.
• Areas for Further Technical Confidence Building (AFTCB) List

FAA lists: apply to Chinese approvals seeking validation by the FAA

• Special Emphasis Items (SEI) Lists
  • Part 23, Small Airplanes
  • Part 25, Transport Category Airplanes: see Transport Airplane Issues List (TAIL)
• Significant Standards Differences (SSD) Lists
  • Part 23, Small Airplanes (Pending)
  • Part 25, Transport Category Airplanes
• Areas for Further Technical Confidence Building (AFTCB) List