Chapter 3: Airworthiness Certificate
issuance of an Airworthiness Certificate
Only an FAA aviation safety inspector (ASI)
or authorized representative of the Administrator
(i.e., Designees), as defined in 14 CFR Part 183,
Representatives of the Administrator, is authorized
to issue an airworthiness certificate.
Your local FAA Flight Standards District Office
(FSDO) processes requests for replacement
airworthiness certificates. You should contact your
local FSDO immediately upon discovering that
you need a replacement airworthiness certificate
for your aircraft.
Applying for an Airworthiness Certificate
A registered owner may apply for an airworthiness
certificate by submitting FAA Form 8130-6, Applica-
tion for U.S. Airworthiness Certificate, to your
local FAA Manufacturing Inspection District Office
(MIDO). You can find your local MIDO contact
information on the FAA website at www.faa.gov.
Figure 3-2 at the end of this chapter is a sample
FAA Form 8130-6. You can find instructions for
completing FAA Form 8130-6 on the FAA website
at www.faa.gov or in FAA Order 8130.2 (as revised).
The FAA will issue the applicable certificate if
the aircraft is eligible and in a condition for safe
operation.
FAA Form 8100-2,
Standard Airworthiness Certificate
FAA Form 8100-2, Standard Airworthiness
Certificate, is issued for aircraft type certificated in
the normal, utility, acrobatic, commuter, and
transport categories, or for manned free balloons.
The airworthiness certificate remains in effect as
long as the aircraft receives the required main-
tenance and is properly registered in the United
States. Flight safety relies, in part, on the condition
of the aircraft, which may be determined on
inspection by mechanics, approved repair stations,
or manufacturers that meet specific requirements
of 14 CFR part 43. Figure 3-3 at the end of this
chapter is a sample FAA Form 8100-2.
FAA Form 8130-7,
Special Airworthiness Certificate
FAA Form 8130-7, Special Airworthiness Certificate,
is issued for all aircraft certificated in other than
the Standard classifications, such as Experimental,
Restricted, Limited, Provisional, and Light-Sport.
If you are interested in purchasing an aircraft classed
as other than Standard, you should contact the local
MIDO or FSDO for an explanation of airworthiness
requirements and the limitations of such a certificate.
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is an
additional source of information on special airworthi-
ness certificates. Figure 3-4 at the end of this chapter
is a sample FAA Form 8130-7.
m CAUTION: The FAA can revoke an existing air-
worthiness certificate in any category (14 CFR part 21,
section 21.181), if the aircraft no longer meets its
approved design and/or is not in an airworthy
condition.
regulations and Policies
There are a number of regulations and policy docu-
ments that provide additional guidance on the subject
of airworthiness.
Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations
• 14 CFR Part 21, Certification Procedures for
Products and Parts
• 14 CFR Part 21, Subpart H, Airworthiness
Certificates
• 14 CFR Part 45, Identification and Registration
Marking
• 14 CFR Part 91, Section 91.313, Restricted
category civil aircraft: Operating limitations
• 14 CFR Part 91, Subpart D, Special Flight
Operations
• 14 CFR Part 91, Section 91.715, Special flight
authorizations for foreign civil aircraft
• 14 CFR Part 375, Navigation of Foreign Civil
Aircraft Within the United States
FAA Orders (as revised)
• FAA Order 8130.2, Airworthiness Certification of
Aircraft and Related Products
• FAA Order 8900.1, Flight Standards Information
Management System (FSIMS)
FAA Advisory Circulars (ACs) (as revised)
• AC 20-27, Certification and Operation of
Amateur-Built Aircraft
• AC 20-139, Commercial Assistance During
Construction of Amateur-Built Aircraft
• AC 21-4, Special Flight Permits for Operation of
Overweight Aircraft
• AC 21-12, Application for U.S. Airworthiness
Certificate, FAA Form 8130-6
• AC 45-2, Identification and Registration Marking
• AC 90-89, Amateur-Built Aircraft and Ultra-light
Flight Testing Handbook
Plane Sense
Figure 3-2. FAA Form 8130-6, Application for U.S. Airworthiness Certificate. You can obtain instructions for
completing FAA Form 8130-6 on the FAA website at www.faa.gov or from your local FSDO.
SAMPLE
Chapter 3: Airworthiness Certificate
Figure 3-2. FAA Form 8130-6 (page 2 of 2).
SAMPLE
Plane Sense
Figure 3-3. FAA Form 8100-2, Standard Airworthiness Certificate. The FAA issues FAA Form 8100-2,
Standard Airworthiness Certificate, for aircraft type certificated in the normal, utility, acrobatic, commuter,
and transport categories, or for manned free balloons.
SAMPLE
N2631A PIPER PA-22-135 22-903 NORMAL
NONE
08-10-95 MARION W. WILLIAMS SW-FSDO-OKC
Marion W. Williams
Chapter 3: Airworthiness Certificate
Figure 3-4. Form 8130-7, Special Airworthiness Certificate. The FAA issues FAA Form 8130-7,
Special Airworthiness Certificate, for all aircraft certificated in other than the Standard classifications,
such as Experimental, Restricted, Limited, Provisional, and Light-Sport.
SAMPLE
EXPERIMENTAL
OPERATING AMATEUR-BUILT AIRCRAFT
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
48SB
STUART R. SKYE
04-01-95
04-01-95