FAA - Federal Aviation Administration

04/23/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/23/2026 07:00

How it Works: Aircraft Certification

How it Works: Aircraft Certification

Thursday, April 23, 2026

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.

Phase 1 Standards Phase 2 Definition Phase 3 Detail Phase 4 Build Phase 5 Test Phase 6 Certification Phase 7 Production

Standards

Administrative Groundwork

In this initial phase, the project is introduced, and the administrative groundwork is laid for the certification journey.

Familiarization Briefings Application for TC/ATC/STC Certification Project Notification Application for Production Certificate
Key Focus

Establishing the formal relationship and scope of the project between the applicant and the regulator.

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.

Phase Milestone

Project Initiation

Next Phase

Airplane Definition

Regulatory Benchmarks

This phase defines the exact regulatory benchmarks the specific aircraft design will need to meet for a design approval.

Preliminary Type Certification Board Certification Basis Issue Papers Special Conditions Exemptions Equivalent Safety Findings
Key Focus

Defining the "Certification Basis" - the set of rules the aircraft must legally satisfy.

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.

Phase Milestone

Certification Basis Set

Next Phase

Detail Definition

Compliance Roadmap

This phase focuses on creating the roadmap for how the applicant will show the design meets the defined standards.

Certification Plans
Key Focus

Agreeing on the "Means of Compliance" - the specific methods used to show compliance to 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.

Phase Milestone

Certification Plan Accepted

Next Phase

Build

Manufacturing Readiness

As the applicant seeks a Production Certificate, the focus shifts to evaluating their manufacturing capabilities and quality systems.

Certificate Management Audit Production Certification Board
Key Focus

Ensuring the facility can build aircraft that match the approved safety design.

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.

Phase Milestone

Facility Readiness Audit

Next Phase

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.

Detail-level compliance findings Airplane-level compliance findings Safety Review Board Conformity Inspection Type Inspection Authorization Flight Tests Type Inspection Report
Key Focus

Showing through accepted methods of compliance that the design complies with the certification basis.

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.

Phase Milestone

Flight Test Completion

Next Phase

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.

Final Type Certification Board Issue Type Certificate
Key Focus

The formal legal act of approving the aircraft design for flight.

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.

Phase Milestone

Type Certificate Issued

Next Phase

Production

Manufacturing Approval

The final phase evaluates the manufacturer's ability to consistently mass-produce the aircraft safely and according to the approved design.

Final Production Certification Board Issue Production Certificate
Key Focus

Ensuring quality control and repeatability in the manufacturing process for every aircraft built.

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.

Final Milestone

Production Certificate Issued

Process Complete
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