FAR 21.11 — Type Certificate Applicability
FAR 21.11 sets the scope for type certificate procedures covering aircraft, engines, and propellers, plus rules governing certificate holders.
FAR 21.11 is the opening section of Subpart B of Part 21 and simply tells you what that subpart covers. It establishes two things:
- Procedural requirements for issuing type certificates for aircraft, aircraft engines, and propellers.
- Rules that govern the holders of those type certificates after issuance.
In plain terms, this section is the table of contents for how the FAA grants a type certificate (TC) and what responsibilities come with holding one. A type certificate is the FAA's approval of a particular aircraft, engine, or propeller design — confirming it meets the applicable airworthiness standards.
Why it matters operationally: as a pilot, you fly aircraft that were originally approved under a TC issued through this subpart. Knowing that Subpart B governs both the issue of the certificate and the continued obligations of the manufacturer helps you understand where airworthiness directives, design changes, and continued operational safety information ultimately come from.