How it Works: Aircraft Certification
Whether it’s a small propeller plane, big jetliner, or cutting-edge electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the FAA’s priority is ensuring the aircraft is safely designed and produced. We do this through a rigorous, multi-phase aircraft certification process that starts with a familiarization briefing and ends with the FAA issuing type and production certificates. While safety is always our main focus, efficiency is baked into the process. We coordinate closely with the applicant throughout the process so they know exactly what standards they must meet and can quickly address any deficiencies.
How it Works: Aircraft Certification
Promoting safety through a rigorous 7-phase process shared between Manufacturers and the FAA.
Standards
Administrative Groundwork
In this initial phase, the project is introduced, and the administrative groundwork is laid for the certification journey.
Applicant's Responsibility
Provide familiarization briefing on proposed aircraft and systems.
Submit formal Application for Type Certificate (design approval).
Submit Application for Production Certificate (manufacturing approval).
Detail intended use, facility locations, and scope of production.
FAA's Responsibility
Review applications and assign a certification project manager.
Determine staffing needs and begin initial risk assessment.
Begin formal review of the manufacturer's proposed quality system.
Airplane Definition
Regulatory Benchmarks
This phase defines the exact regulatory benchmarks the specific aircraft design will need to meet for a design approval.
Applicant's Responsibility
Propose methods of compliance to address specific technical challenges.
Propose alternative safety measures for non-traditional designs.
Demonstrate how novel features offer equivalent safety levels.
FAA's Responsibility
Convene Preliminary Type Certification Board for project scope.
Formally establish the "Certification Basis" (the rule set).
Issue Special Conditions, Exemptions, or Equivalent Safety Findings.
Detail Definition
Compliance Roadmap
This phase focuses on creating the roadmap for how the applicant will show the design meets the defined standards.
Applicant's Responsibility
Draft formal "Certification Plans" for each regulation.
Detail exactly how compliance will be demonstrated.
Specify tests, analyses, inspections, or simulations to be used.
FAA's Responsibility
Evaluate proposed plans to establish acceptance criteria.
Ensure the proposed means of compliance are technically sound.
Review and agree upon the project schedule and milestones.
Build
Manufacturing Readiness
As the applicant seeks a Production Certificate, the focus shifts to evaluating their manufacturing capabilities and quality systems.
Applicant's Responsibility
Establish basic quality system elements and draft quality manuals.
Provide facility layouts and organizational charts.
Describe manufacturing and inspection capabilities in detail.
FAA's Responsibility
Conduct a "Certificate Management Audit" of the facility.
Verify quality assurance procedures and material control systems.
Assess readiness and provide feedback on any gaps or deficiencies.
Test
Safety Verification
This is the most rigorous phase, where the aircraft is physically inspected and flown to prove it operates safely in all defined conditions.
Applicant's Responsibility
Supply detailed engineering data and safety assessments.
Conduct extensive ground and Flight Tests for performance data.
Correct non-conformities and address anomalies found during tests.
FAA's Responsibility
Perform granular detail-level and integrated compliance checks.
Conduct "Conformity Inspections" of built prototypes.
Issue Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) and oversee flight tests.
Certification
Design Approval
The Type Certificate represents approval of the design of the aircraft and all component parts. It signifies the design is in compliance with applicable standards.
Applicant's Responsibility
Ensure all testing and compliance findings are thoroughly completed.
Finalize all documentation, including the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM).
Certify that the design meets the agreed-upon certification basis.
FAA's Responsibility
Hold the Final Type Certification Board meeting.
Verify all certification requirements have been satisfied.
Issue the Type Certificate (TC) - the official design approval.
Production
Manufacturing Approval
The final phase evaluates the manufacturer's ability to consistently mass-produce the aircraft safely and according to the approved design.
Manufacturer's Responsibility
Demonstrate robust Quality Management Systems (QMS).
Maintain organizational structure and supplier oversight.
Consistently produce aircraft that conform to the approved design.
FAA's Responsibility
Establish Production Certification Boards for oversight.
Scrutinize quality management and manufacturing process controls.
Issue the Production Certificate (PC) authorizing mass production.