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14 C.F.R. §§ 21.24–21.29

4 sections in range

§21.24. Issuance of type certificate: primary category aircraft.

14 C.F.R. § 21.24

(a)
The applicant is entitled to a type certificate for an aircraft in the primary category if—
(1)
The aircraft—
(i)
Is unpowered; is an airplane powered by a single, naturally aspirated engine with a 61-knot or less Vso stall speed as determined under part 23 of this chapter; or is a rotorcraft with a 6-pound per square foot main rotor disc loading limitation, under sea level standard day conditions;
(ii)
Weighs not more than 2,700 pounds; or, for seaplanes, not more than 3,375 pounds;
(iii)
Has a maximum seating capacity of not more than four persons, including the pilot; and
(iv)
Has an unpressurized cabin.
(2)
The applicant has submitted—
(i)
Except as provided by paragraph (c) of this section, a statement, in a form and manner acceptable to the FAA, certifying that: the applicant has completed the engineering analysis necessary to demonstrate compliance with the applicable airworthiness requirements; the applicant has conducted appropriate flight, structural, propulsion, and systems tests necessary to show that the aircraft, its components, and its equipment are reliable and function properly; the type design complies with the airworthiness standards and noise requirements established for the aircraft under § 21.17(f); and no feature or characteristic makes it unsafe for its intended use;
(ii)
The flight manual required by § 21.5(b), including any information required to be furnished by the applicable airworthiness standards;
(iii)
Instructions for continued airworthiness in accordance with § 21.50(b); and
(iv)
A report that— summarizes how compliance with each provision of the type certification basis was determined; lists the specific documents in which the type certification data information is provided; lists all necessary drawings and documents used to define the type design; and lists all the engineering reports on tests and computations that the applicant must retain and make available under § 21.49 to substantiate compliance with the applicable airworthiness standards.
(3)
The FAA finds that—
(i)
The aircraft complies with those applicable airworthiness requirements approved under § 21.17(f) of this part; and
(ii)
The aircraft has no feature or characteristic that makes it unsafe for its intended use.
(b)
An applicant may include a special inspection and preventive maintenance program as part of the aircraft's type design or supplemental type design.
(c)
For aircraft manufactured outside of the United States in a country with which the United States has a bilateral airworthiness agreement for the acceptance of these aircraft, and from which the aircraft is to be imported into the United States—
(1)
The statement required by paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section must be made by the civil airworthiness authority of the exporting country; and
(2)
The required manuals, placards, listings, instrument markings, and documents required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section must be submitted in English.
Notes, amendments, and revision history

Amendments

[Doc. No. 23345, 57 FR 41367, Sept. 9, 1992, as amended by Amdt. 21-75, 62 FR 62808, Nov. 25, 1997; Doc. No. FAA-2015-1621, Amdt. 21-100, 81 FR 96689, Dec. 30, 2016]

Source

Source: Docket No. 5085, 29 FR 14564, Oct. 24, 1964, unless otherwise noted.

Authority

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7572; 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40105, 40113, 44701-44702, 44704, 44707, 44709, 44711, 44713, 44715, 45303.

Amendments

[Doc. No. 23345, 57 FR 41367, Sept. 9, 1992, as amended by Amdt. 21-75, 62 FR 62808, Nov. 25, 1997; Doc. No. FAA-2015-1621, Amdt. 21-100, 81 FR 96689, Dec. 30, 2016]

§21.25. Issue of type certificate: restricted category aircraft.

14 C.F.R. § 21.25

(a)
An applicant is entitled to a type certificate for an aircraft in the restricted category for special purpose operations if the applicant shows compliance with the applicable noise requirements of part 36 of this chapter, and if the applicant shows that no feature or characteristic of the aircraft makes it unsafe when it is operated under the limitations prescribed for its intended use, and that aircraft—
(1)
Meets the airworthiness requirements of an aircraft category, other than primary category or light-sport category, except those requirements that the FAA finds inappropriate for the special purpose operation for which the aircraft is to be used; or
(2)
Is of a type that—
(i)
Has been manufactured in accordance with the requirements of, and accepted for use by, the U.S. Armed Forces;
(ii)
Has a service history with the U.S. Armed Forces acceptable to the FAA; and
(iii)
Has been found capable by the FAA of performing, or has been modified to perform, the special purpose operation for which the aircraft is to be used.
(b)
Restricted category aircraft can be approved for—
(1)
Agricultural use, for one or more of the following special purpose operations, including—
(i)
Spraying, dusting, and seeding;
(ii)
Livestock and predatory animal control;
(iii)
Insect control;
(iv)
Dust control; or
(v)
Fruit drying and frost control.
(2)
Forest and wildlife conservation, for one or more of the following special purpose operations, including—
(i)
Aerial dispensing of firefighting materials;
(ii)
Fish spotting;
(iii)
Wild animal survey; or
(iv)
Oil spill response.
(3)
Aerial surveying, for one or more of the following special purpose operations, including—
(i)
Aerial imaging and mapping;
(ii)
Oil, gas, and mineral exploration;
(iii)
Atmospheric survey and research;
(iv)
Geophysical and electromagnetic survey;
(v)
Oceanic survey; or
(vi)
Airborne measurement of navigation signals.
(4)
Patrolling, for one or more of the following special purpose operations, including—
(i)
Pipelines;
(ii)
Powerlines;
(iii)
Data transmission lines and towers;
(iv)
Railroads;
(v)
Canals; or
(vi)
Harbors.
(5)
Weather control, including the special purpose operation of cloud seeding.
(6)
Aerial advertising, for one or more of the following special purpose operations, including—
(i)
Skywriting;
(ii)
Banner towing;
(iii)
Displaying airborne signs; or
(iv)
Public address systems.
(7)
Other special purpose operations, including—
(i)
Rotorcraft external-load operations conducted under part 133 of this chapter;
(ii)
Carriage of cargo incidental to the owner's or operator's business;
(iii)
Target towing;
(iv)
Search and rescue operations;
(v)
Glider towing;
(vi)
Alaskan fuel hauling;
(vii)
Alaskan fixed-wing external load operations;
(viii)
Space vehicle launch; or
(ix)
Any other special purpose operation specified by the FAA.
Notes, amendments, and revision history

Amendments

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1377, Amdt. No. 21-109, 90 FR 35204, July 24, 2025]

Source

Source: Docket No. 5085, 29 FR 14564, Oct. 24, 1964, unless otherwise noted.

Authority

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7572; 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40105, 40113, 44701-44702, 44704, 44707, 44709, 44711, 44713, 44715, 45303.

Amendments

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1377, Amdt. No. 21-109, 90 FR 35204, July 24, 2025]

§21.27. Issue of type certificate: surplus aircraft of the Armed Forces.

14 C.F.R. § 21.27

(a)
Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section an applicant is entitled to a type certificate for an aircraft in the normal, utility, acrobatic, commuter, or transport category that was designed and constructed in the United States, accepted for operational use, and declared surplus by, an Armed Force of the United States, and that is shown to comply with the applicable certification requirements in paragraph (f) of this section.
(b)
An applicant is entitled to a type certificate for a surplus aircraft of the Armed Forces of the United States that is a counterpart of a previously type certificated civil aircraft, if he shows compliance with the regulations governing the original civil aircraft type certificate.
(c)
Aircraft engines, propellers, and their related accessories installed in surplus Armed Forces aircraft, for which a type certificate is sought under this section, will be approved for use on those aircraft if the applicant shows that on the basis of the previous military qualifications, acceptance, and service record, the product provides substantially the same level of airworthiness as would be provided if the engines or propellers were type certificated under Part 33 or 35 of this subchapter.
(d)
The FAA may relieve an applicant from strict compliance with a specific provision of the applicable requirements in paragraph (f) of this section, if the FAA finds that the method of compliance proposed by the applicant provides substantially the same level of airworthiness and that strict compliance with those regulations would impose a severe burden on the applicant. The FAA may use experience that was satisfactory to an Armed Force of the United States in making such a determination.
(e)
The FAA may require an applicant to comply with special conditions and later requirements than those in paragraphs (c) and (f) of this section, if the FAA finds that compliance with the listed regulations would not ensure an adequate level of airworthiness for the aircraft.
(f)
Except as provided in paragraphs (b) through (e) of this section, an applicant for a type certificate under this section must comply with the appropriate regulations listed in the following table:
Notes, amendments, and revision history

Amendments

[Doc. No. 5085, 29 FR 14564, Oct. 24, 1964, as amended by Amdt. 21-59, 52 FR 1835, Jan. 15, 1987; 52 FR 7262, Mar. 9, 1987; 70 FR 2325, Jan. 13, 2005; Amdt. 21-92, 74 FR 53386, Oct. 16, 2009]

Source

Source: Docket No. 5085, 29 FR 14564, Oct. 24, 1964, unless otherwise noted.

Authority

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7572; 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40105, 40113, 44701-44702, 44704, 44707, 44709, 44711, 44713, 44715, 45303.

Amendments

[Doc. No. 5085, 29 FR 14564, Oct. 24, 1964, as amended by Amdt. 21-59, 52 FR 1835, Jan. 15, 1987; 52 FR 7262, Mar. 9, 1987; 70 FR 2325, Jan. 13, 2005; Amdt. 21-92, 74 FR 53386, Oct. 16, 2009]

§21.29. Issue of type certificate: import products.

14 C.F.R. § 21.29

(a)
The FAA may issue a type certificate for a product that is manufactured in a foreign country or jurisdiction with which the United States has an agreement for the acceptance of these products for export and import and that is to be imported into the United States if—
(1)
The applicable State of Design certifies that the product has been examined, tested, and found to meet—
(i)
The applicable aircraft noise, fuel venting, exhaust emissions, and fuel efficiency requirements of this subchapter as designated in § 21.17, or the applicable aircraft noise, fuel venting, exhaust emissions, and fuel efficiency requirements of the State of Design, and any other requirements the FAA may prescribe to provide noise, fuel venting, exhaust emission, and fuel efficiency levels no greater than those provided by the applicable aircraft noise, fuel venting, exhaust emissions, and fuel efficiency requirements of this subchapter as designated in § 21.17; and
(ii)
The applicable airworthiness requirements of this subchapter as designated in § 21.17, or the applicable airworthiness requirements of the State of Design and any other requirements the FAA may prescribe to provide a level of safety equivalent to that provided by the applicable airworthiness requirements of this subchapter as designated in § 21.17;
(2)
The applicant has provided technical data to show the product meets the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section; and
(3)
The manuals, placards, listings, and instrument markings required by the applicable airworthiness (and noise, where applicable) requirements are presented in the English language.
(b)
A product type certificated under this section is determined to be compliant with the fuel venting and exhaust emission standards of part 34 of this subchapter, the noise standards of part 36 of this subchapter, and the fuel efficiency requirements of part 38 of this subchapter. Compliance with parts 34, 36, and 38 of this subchapter is certified under paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, and the applicable airworthiness standards of this subchapter, or an equivalent level of safety, with which compliance is certified under paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section.
Notes, amendments, and revision history

Amendments

[Amdt. 21-92, 74 FR 53386, Oct. 16, 2009, as amended by Amdt. No. 21-107, 89 FR 12653, Feb. 16, 2024]

Source

Source: Docket No. 5085, 29 FR 14564, Oct. 24, 1964, unless otherwise noted.

Authority

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7572; 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40105, 40113, 44701-44702, 44704, 44707, 44709, 44711, 44713, 44715, 45303.

Amendments

[Amdt. 21-92, 74 FR 53386, Oct. 16, 2009, as amended by Amdt. No. 21-107, 89 FR 12653, Feb. 16, 2024]