FAR 21.215 — Provisional Airworthiness Application

FAR 21.215 sets the basic application rule for getting a provisional airworthiness certificate from the FAA. A provisional certificate is a temporary type of airworthiness approval used while a manufacturer or operator is still working through full type certification — it lets limited operations begin under controlled conditions before the aircraft has its standard certificate.

Under this section, the rule is straightforward:

• Submit the application to the FAA. All applications for a provisional airworthiness certificate go directly to the FAA.
• Include the supporting information. The application must be accompanied by the pertinent information specified in Subpart I of Part 21 (the subpart governing provisional airworthiness certificates).

Why it matters operationally: as a student pilot you are unlikely to file one of these yourself, but understanding that provisional certificates exist, that they are issued by the FAA, and that they require a formal application package helps you recognize the certification framework behind every aircraft you fly. It's also fair game on knowledge tests covering airworthiness and certification.