FAR 21.144 — Production Certificate Transfer
FAR 21.144 explains that production certificates cannot be transferred between holders. Key facts for pilot students studying aircraft certification rules.
FAR 21.144 is a short but absolute rule: the holder of a production certificate may not transfer that certificate to anyone else.
A production certificate is the FAA's authorization that allows a manufacturer to produce duplicate aircraft, engines, or propellers based on an approved type design. Because the certificate is tied to a specific company's facilities, quality control system, and personnel, the FAA treats it as non-transferable.
Why it matters operationally:
- If a manufacturer is sold, merged, or reorganized, the new entity cannot simply inherit the old production certificate — it must apply for its own.
- This protects the integrity of the production approval system, ensuring the FAA has directly evaluated whoever is currently building certificated products.
- For pilots, this is part of the broader chain of certification (type certificate → production certificate → airworthiness certificate) that guarantees the aircraft you fly was built under FAA-approved processes.
While you won't apply this rule in the cockpit, examiners may test your understanding of how aircraft come to be certificated.
Five FAA-written-style questions. Instant explanations, every answer cites its source — no account needed.
You are flying VFR in Class E airspace at 8,500 feet MSL during the day. What are your minimum visibility and cloud clearance requirements?