FAR 21.145 — Production Certificate Privileges
FAR 21.145 explains the privileges of production certificate holders, including airworthiness certification and special training authority for primary category aircraft.
FAR 21.145 spells out what the holder of a production certificate (PC) is allowed to do. In short, a PC holder has streamlined access to airworthiness approvals because the FAA has already verified their manufacturing system conforms to an approved type design.
- Aircraft airworthiness certificates: A PC holder can obtain an airworthiness certificate for a new aircraft without further showing, although the FAA may still inspect the aircraft for conformity with the type design.
- Other products: For non-aircraft products (engines, propellers, parts), the PC holder can obtain FAA approval for installation on type-certificated aircraft.
For primary category aircraft (and normal/utility/acrobatic types eligible for a primary category special airworthiness certificate under § 21.184(c)), the PC holder may also:
- Conduct training in the FAA-approved special inspection and preventive maintenance program, provided the training is given by a certificated A&P mechanic.
- Issue a certificate of competency to graduates, specifying the aircraft make and model covered.
Why it matters: this is how factory-fresh aircraft get certificated quickly and how owner-operators of primary category aircraft become qualified to do their own special inspections.