FAR 21.122 — Manufacturing Facility Changes
FAR 21.122 explains rules for type certificate holders on manufacturing facility locations, foreign sites, and FAA notification of changes affecting airworthiness.
In Plain English
FAR 21.122 governs where a type certificate (TC) holder can manufacture aircraft products and what they must do when those facilities change. While this rule applies to manufacturers rather than pilots directly, understanding it helps you appreciate how the FAA maintains oversight of the airworthiness chain that produces the aircraft you fly.
Key requirements:
- Foreign facilities allowed: A TC holder may use manufacturing facilities located outside the United States, but only if the FAA determines there is no undue burden in administering U.S. aviation law and regulations at that location.
- Prior FAA approval for location changes: The TC holder must obtain FAA approval before changing the location of any manufacturing facility.
- Immediate written notification: The TC holder must immediately notify the FAA in writing of any facility change that could affect the inspection, conformity, or airworthiness of its product or article.
Operationally, this ensures the FAA can always inspect and verify that products being built conform to the approved type design — a foundation of the airworthiness system pilots rely on.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 21.122§ 21.122 Location of or change to manufacturing facilities.
(a) A type certificate holder may utilize manufacturing facilities located outside of the United States if the FAA finds no undue burden in administering the applicable requirements of Title 49 U.S.C. and this subchapter.
(b) The type certificate holder must obtain FAA approval before making any changes to the location of any of its manufacturing facilities.
(c) The type certificate holder must immediately notify the FAA, in writing, of any change to the manufacturing facilities that may affect the inspection, conformity, or airworthiness of its product or article.
[Doc. No. FAA-2006-25877, Amdt. 21-92, 74 FR 53387, Oct. 16, 2009; Amdt. 21-92A, 75 FR 9095, Mar. 1, 2010]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1Can a type certificate holder manufacture aircraft parts outside the United States?
Yes. Under FAR 21.122(a), a TC holder may use manufacturing facilities located outside the U.S. if the FAA finds no undue burden in administering Title 49 U.S.C. and the applicable regulations at that location.
Q2What must a type certificate holder do before changing the location of a manufacturing facility?
Per FAR 21.122(b), the TC holder must obtain FAA approval before making any changes to the location of its manufacturing facilities.
Q3If a manufacturing change could affect product airworthiness, what is required?
FAR 21.122(c) requires the TC holder to immediately notify the FAA in writing of any change to the manufacturing facilities that may affect the inspection, conformity, or airworthiness of its product or article.
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Related Sections in Part 21