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Production Limitation Record

FAR 21.142 — Production Limitation Record

FAR 21.142 explains the production limitation record issued with a production certificate, listing approved products and interface components a holder may manufacture.

In Plain English

FAR 21.142 describes the production limitation record, a document the FAA issues as part of every production certificate. Think of it as the official scope-of-work attached to the certificate — it spells out exactly what the certificate holder is allowed to build.

The record specifically identifies:

  • The type certificate number and model of every product the holder is authorized to manufacture.
  • Every interface component the holder is authorized to manufacture and install under Part 21.

Why it matters operationally: a production certificate by itself is not a blank check. The production limitation record is what defines the boundaries of the manufacturer's authority. If a model or interface component isn't on the record, the holder can't legally produce it under that certificate. For pilots, this is part of the chain of approval that ensures the aircraft, engine, or propeller you fly was built by someone the FAA specifically authorized to build that exact model.

Regulation Text
14 CFR § 21.142
§ 21.142 Production limitation record. The FAA issues a production limitation record as part of a production certificate. The record lists the type certificate number and model of every product that the production certificate holder is authorized to manufacture, and identifies every interface component that the production certificate holder is authorized to manufacture and install under this part. [Doc. No. FAA-2013-0933, Amdt. 21-98, 80 FR 59031, Oct. 1, 2015, as amended by Amdt. 21-98A, 80 FR 59031, Dec. 17, 2015]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What is a production limitation record and how is it issued?
Per FAR 21.142, the production limitation record is issued by the FAA as part of a production certificate and defines what the holder is authorized to manufacture.
Q2What information is contained in a production limitation record?
Under FAR 21.142, the record lists the type certificate number and model of every product the holder may manufacture, and identifies every interface component the holder may manufacture and install under Part 21.
Q3Can a production certificate holder build any product they want under their certificate?
No. FAR 21.142 limits the holder to producing only the products and interface components specifically listed on the production limitation record attached to their production certificate.
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Related Sections in Part 21
§ 21.1
Certification Procedures
§ 21.101
Type Certificate Changes
§ 21.11
Type Certificate Applicability
§ 21.111
STC Applicability
§ 21.113
Supplemental Type Certificate
§ 21.115
Supplemental Type Certificates
§ 21.117
Supplemental Type Certificates
§ 21.119
STC Privileges
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FAR 21.142 — Production Limitation Record