Aircraft certification is a process by which an aircraft or component of an aircraft is shown to meet the applicable airworthiness regulations. Aircraft certification can be accomplished in one of two ways: either directly, by meeting all relevant requirements, or indirectly, by demonstrating safety through the application of a safety management system. A variety of regulations must be complied with in order to certify an aircraft, some of which are set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration and international aviation authorities. The regulations cover topics like manufacture, design, testing, maintenance,
Certification
FAA Order 8130.2H (PDF), Airworthiness Certification of Products and Articles
Light Sport Aircraft: Existing Type Certificated Models (PDF)
Light Sport Aircraft Statement of Compliance - FAA Form 8130-15
Standards
Light-Sport Aircraft Accepted Standards, FAA Notice of Availability (NOA) Information (PDF), the previously accepted consensus standard has been revised, and this NOA is accepting the later revision.
Designees
Designated Airworthiness Representative - Maintenance (DAR-T) Directory (PDF)
Designated Airworthiness Representative - Manufacturing (DAR-F) - search by location or name
FAA Order 8100.8D (PDF), Designee Management Handbook. See Chapter 13, Amateur-Built and Light-Sport Aircraft Certification Functions
Light Sport Aircraft Frequently Asked Questions
Light Sport FAQs (PDF)
AIR Strategic Plan for Light-Sport Aircraft
Special Light-Sport Aircraft (SLSA) Make/Model Directory
SLSA Make/Model Directory (MS Excel) - Effective September 26, 2016
Light-Sport Aircraft Registration
Safety
2014 SLSA COS Report (PDF)
2015 SLSA COS Report (PDF)
Zodiac CH601XL Special Review - Final Report (PDF) and "Zodiac CH601XL Special Review - Appendix (PDF), the final report from the FAA review of the CH 601XL design, addressing several in-flight structural failures.
SAMPLE Light-Sport Aircraft Manufacturer's Quality Assurance Manual (MS Word)
NOTE: The FAA does not endorse a particular manufacturer of these technologies, but the following link contains examples for reference:
Light-sport aircraft (LSA) manufacturers and owners/operators are encouraged to install parachute recovery systems and/or inflatable restraintsto enhance safety in the operation of their aircraft.
Related Information
FAA Flight Standards Regulatory Support Division – Light Sport Aviation Branch
Sport Pilot Information
Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)
Part 21, Certification Procedures for Products, Articles, and Parts
Part 23, Airworthiness Standards: Normal, Utility, Acrobatic, and Commuter Category Airplanes
Part 34, Fuel Venting and Exhaust Emission Requirements for Turbine Engine Powered Airplanes
Part 36, Noise Standards: Aircraft Type and Airworthiness Certification
Part 43, Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alteration
NPRM 64-17, Airworthiness Standards: Normal, Utility, and Acrobatic Airplanes, provides a complete table of Civil Air Regulations (CAR) Part 3 correlated to 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 23.
Advisory Circulars (ACs)
23-15, Small Airplane Certification Compliance Program
23-16, Powerplant Guide for Certification of Part 23 Airplanes and Airships
23-17, Systems and Equipment Guide for Certification of Part 23 Airplanes and Airships
23-19, Airframe Guide for Certification of Part 23 Airplanes
23.1309-1, Equipment, Systems, and Installations in Part 23 Airplanes
Quick Reference for Part 23 and Associated Advisory Circulars (AC) (PDF)
Guidance
Comparison of Part 23 through Amdt. 23-62 and EASA CS-23, Amendment 23-4 (PDF)
Significant Standard Differences (SSD) Pair Listings required by Order 8110.52 reference, paragraph 333.c(4)
Policy
PS-ACE100-2001-006, Static Strength Substantiation of Composite Airplane Structure
PS-ACE100-2001-004, Guidance for Reviewing Certification Plans to Address Human Factors for Certification of Part 23 Small Airplanes
Technical Standard Orders (TSO)
ASTM F3060-15b Standard Terminology for Aircraft
ASTM F3061/F3061M-16 Standard Specification for Systems and Equipment in Small Aircraft
ASTM F3062/F3062M-15 Standard Specification for Installation of Powerplant Systems
ASTM F3063/F3063M-16 Standard Specification for Design and Integration of Fuel/Energy Storage and Delivery System Installations for Aeroplanes
ASTM F3064/F3064M-15 Standard Specification for Control, Operational Characteristics and Installation of Instruments and Sensors of Propulsion Systems
ASTM F3065/F3065M-15 Standard Specification for Installation and Integration of Propeller Systems
ASTM F3066/F3066M-15 Standard Specification for Powerplant Systems Specific Hazard Mitigation
ASTM F3114-15 Standard Specification for Structures
ASTM F3115/F3115M-15 Standard Specification for Structural Durability for Small Airplanes
ASTM F3116/F3116M-15 Standard Specification for Design Loads and Conditions
ASTM F3117-15 Standard Specification for Crew Interface in Aircraft
ASTM F3120/F3120M-15 Standard Specification for Ice Protection for General Aviation Aircraft
ASTM F3173/F3173M-15 Standard Specification for Handling Characteristics of Aeroplanes
ASTM F3174/F3174M-15 Standard Specification for Establishing Operating Limitations and Information for Aeroplanes
ASTM F3179/F3179M-16 Standard Specification for Performance of Aeroplanes
ASTM F3180/F3180M-16 Standard Specification for Low-Speed Flight Characteristics of Aeroplanes
ASTM F3082/F3082M-16 Standard Specification for Flight for General Aviation Aeroplanes
ASTM F3083/F3083M-15 Standard Specification for Emergency Conditions, Occupant Safety and Accommodations
ASTM F3093/F3093M-15 Standard Specification for Aeroelasticity Requirements