FAR 21.195 — Experimental Airworthiness Certificates
FAR 21.195 explains who can get an experimental airworthiness certificate for market surveys, sales demos, and customer crew training, plus flight-hour requirements.
In Plain English
FAR 21.195 lets certain manufacturers and modifiers get an experimental airworthiness certificate when an aircraft will be used for market surveys, sales demonstrations, or customer crew training — not for revenue flying.
Three groups may apply:
- U.S. aircraft manufacturers for aircraft they built domestically.
- U.S. engine manufacturers who installed their engine on a type-certificated aircraft (originally certificated in normal, utility, acrobatic, commuter, transport, primary, or restricted category).
- Designers who altered a type-certificated aircraft from one of those same categories.
Why it matters operationally: this is how a new or modified design gets demonstrated to customers and used to train their crews before earning a standard airworthiness certificate.
In addition to meeting § 21.193, the applicant must:
- Establish an inspection and maintenance program for continued airworthiness.
- Show the aircraft has flown at least 50 hours (or 5 hours if it's an altered type-certificated aircraft). The FAA may reduce these hours with adequate justification.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 21.195§ 21.195 Experimental airworthiness certificates: Aircraft to be used for market surveys, sales demonstrations, and customer crew training.
(a) A manufacturer of aircraft manufactured within the United States may apply for an experimental airworthiness certificate for an aircraft that is to be used for market surveys, sales demonstrations, or customer crew training.
(b) A manufacturer of an aircraft engine manufactured by him within the United States, that has altered a type certificated aircraft by installing an engine it has manufactured, may apply for an experimental airworthiness certificate for that aircraft to be used for market surveys, sales demonstrations, or customer crew training, if the basic aircraft, before alteration, was type certificated in the normal, utility, acrobatic, commuter, transport, primary, or restricted category.
(c) A person who has altered the design of a type certificated aircraft may apply for an experimental airworthiness certificate for an altered aircraft to be used for market surveys, sales demonstrations, or customer crew training, if the basic aircraft, before alteration, was type certificated in the normal, utility, acrobatic, commuter, transport, primary, or restricted category.
(d) An applicant for an experimental airworthiness certificate under paragraph (a), (b), or (c) of this section is entitled to that certificate if, in addition to meeting the requirements of § 21.193—
(1) He has established an inspection and maintenance program for the continued airworthiness of the aircraft; and
(2) The applicant shows that the aircraft has been flown for at least 50 hours, or for at least 5 hours if it is a type certificated aircraft which has been altered. FAA may reduce these operational requirements if the applicant provides adequate justification.
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1377, Amdt. 21-109, 90 FR 35208, July 24, 2025]
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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1Who can apply for an experimental airworthiness certificate for sales demonstrations or customer crew training?
Per FAR 21.195, U.S. aircraft manufacturers, U.S. engine manufacturers who installed their engine on a type-certificated aircraft, and persons who altered the design of a type-certificated aircraft (originally certificated in normal, utility, acrobatic, commuter, transport, primary, or restricted category) may apply.
Q2What are the minimum flight-hour requirements before this experimental certificate can be issued?
FAR 21.195(d)(2) requires the aircraft to have flown at least 50 hours, or at least 5 hours if it is an altered type-certificated aircraft. The FAA may reduce these requirements with adequate justification.
Q3Besides flight time, what additional requirements must the applicant meet under § 21.195?
Under FAR 21.195(d), the applicant must meet the requirements of § 21.193 and establish an inspection and maintenance program for the continued airworthiness of the aircraft.
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§21.15 Type Certificate Application
FAA application form, aircraft drawings, and engine data
§21.17 Certification Basis
Applicable airworthiness, noise, and emission rules
§21.20 Compliance Showing
How applicants show compliance to the FAA
§21.31 Type Design
Drawings, specifications, dimensions, and limitations
§21.41 Type Certificate
What the certificate includes once the design is approved
§21.47 Type Certificate Transferability
Transfer and licensing notices for FAA type certificates
Related Sections in Part 21