FAR 21.221 — Provisional Airworthiness Certificates
FAR 21.221 explains how manufacturers qualify for a Class I provisional airworthiness certificate, including type design, flight test, and documentation requirements.
In Plain English
FAR 21.221 sets the requirements for getting a Class I provisional airworthiness certificate — a temporary certificate that lets a manufacturer operate an aircraft before it earns a full type certificate. This matters operationally because it allows limited flight operations (under the restrictions in §§ 21.81(e) and 91.317) while certification work is still ongoing.
To qualify, all of the following must be true:
- The applicant meets the eligibility rules of § 21.213 and complies with § 21.221.
- The FAA finds no feature, characteristic, or condition that would make the aircraft unsafe when operated within the established limitations.
- The manufacturer holds a provisional type certificate for the aircraft.
- The manufacturer submits a statement that the aircraft conforms to the type design and is in safe operating condition under all applicable limitations.
- The aircraft has been flown at least five hours by the manufacturer.
- The aircraft is supplied with a provisional aircraft flight manual (or equivalent document) and appropriate placards showing the limitations from §§ 21.81(e) and 91.317.
Exception: § 21.225 may modify these requirements in certain cases.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 21.221§ 21.221 Class I provisional airworthiness certificates.
(a) Except as provided in § 21.225, an applicant is entitled to a Class I provisional airworthiness certificate for an aircraft for which a Class I provisional type certificate has been issued if—
(1) He meets the eligibility requirements of § 21.213 and he complies with this section; and
(2) The FAA finds that there is no feature, characteristic or condition of the aircraft that would make the aircraft unsafe when operated in accordance with the limitations established in §§ 21.81(e) and 91.317 of this subchapter.
(b) The manufacturer must hold a provisional type certificate for the aircraft.
(c) The manufacturer must submit a statement that the aircraft conforms to the type design corresponding to the provisional type certificate and has been found by him to be in safe operating condition under all applicable limitations.
(d) The aircraft must be flown at least five hours by the manufacturer.
(e) The aircraft must be supplied with a provisional aircraft flight manual or other document and appropriate placards containing the limitations established by §§ 21.81(e) and 91.317.
[Doc. No. 5085, 29 FR 14571, Oct. 24, 1964, as amended by Amdt. 21-66, 54 FR 34329, Aug. 18, 1989]
Read the reg? Now prove it
Would you catch these on the written?
Five FAA-written-style questions. Instant explanations, every answer cites its source — no account needed.
Live demo · no account needed
1/5
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?
PPL5 sample questions — in the app, the drill engine covers 88 PPL topics and every answer cites its source
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What is a Class I provisional airworthiness certificate, and who can get one?
Per FAR 21.221, it's a temporary airworthiness certificate issued to an applicant who meets § 21.213 eligibility and holds a provisional type certificate, allowing limited operation under the restrictions of §§ 21.81(e) and 91.317.
Q2How many flight hours must the manufacturer accumulate on the aircraft before a Class I provisional airworthiness certificate is issued?
FAR 21.221(d) requires the aircraft to be flown at least five hours by the manufacturer prior to issuance of the certificate.
Q3What documentation and markings must accompany an aircraft issued a Class I provisional airworthiness certificate?
FAR 21.221(e) requires the aircraft to be supplied with a provisional aircraft flight manual (or other document) and appropriate placards containing the limitations established by §§ 21.81(e) and 91.317.
Studying for a checkride?
§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