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United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

AC 21-48 - Using Electronic Modeling Systems as Primary Type Design Data

Document Information

Number
21-48
Title
Using Electronic Modeling Systems as Primary Type Design Data
Status
Active
Date issued
2010-10-29
Office of Primary Responsibility
AIR-100
Description

This AC provides information and guidance on developing procedures for using electronic modeling systems in design, manufacture, installation, and inspection processes. It applies to applicants for Type Certificates (TCs), Amended Type Certificate (ATCs), Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs), Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA), Technical Standard Order Authorizations (TSOA), major alterations, and major repairs. In this AC, we explain how you can submit a proposal to use electronic modeling system data instead of (or in addition to) traditional paper format for the technical data required for initial and post certification activities. We identify the minimum criteria for using electronic type design data, and include requirements for how to access and present the data. In this AC, we define an “electronic modeling system” as a three?dimensional (3-D) modeling system.

For Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification applicants, this AC mirrors our procedures in Order 8000.79, Use of Electronic Technology and Storage of Data, and Guide FAA-IR-01?01A, Aircraft Certification Guide for the Use of Electronic Technology and Alternative Methods of Storing Information. This AC must be used in conjunction with Order 8000.79 and Guide FAA-IR-01-01A.

This AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation. We describe acceptable means, though it is not the only means, for using electronic modeling systems in design, manufacture, installation, and inspection processes. If you use the means described in this AC, you must follow it in its entirety

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