FAR 21.29 — Imported Product Type Certificates
FAR 21.29 explains how the FAA issues type certificates for foreign-built aircraft imported into the U.S., including State of Design certification requirements.
In Plain English
FAR 21.29 sets the rules for the FAA to issue a type certificate for a product (aircraft, engine, or propeller) built in a foreign country and imported into the United States. It only applies when the U.S. has a bilateral agreement with that country for accepting exports and imports.
For the FAA to issue the type certificate, three conditions must be met:
- The State of Design (the country where the product was designed) must certify that the product has been examined and tested, and meets:
- Applicable noise, fuel venting, exhaust emissions, and fuel efficiency requirements (per § 21.17), or equivalent State of Design standards that produce no greater levels than U.S. rules; and
- Applicable airworthiness requirements (per § 21.17), or equivalent State of Design standards providing an equivalent level of safety.
- The applicant must submit technical data proving compliance.
- All manuals, placards, listings, and instrument markings required by airworthiness and noise rules must be in English.
Why it matters: this is how foreign-built aircraft (think Airbus, Diamond, Pilatus) become legal to operate under U.S. registration. Compliance under this section also satisfies Parts 34, 36, and 38 for emissions, noise, and fuel efficiency.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 21.29§ 21.29 Issue of type certificate: import products.
(a) The FAA may issue a type certificate for a product that is manufactured in a foreign country or jurisdiction with which the United States has an agreement for the acceptance of these products for export and import and that is to be imported into the United States if—
(1) The applicable State of Design certifies that the product has been examined, tested, and found to meet—
(i) The applicable aircraft noise, fuel venting, exhaust emissions, and fuel efficiency requirements of this subchapter as designated in § 21.17, or the applicable aircraft noise, fuel venting, exhaust emissions, and fuel efficiency requirements of the State of Design, and any other requirements the FAA may prescribe to provide noise, fuel venting, exhaust emission, and fuel efficiency levels no greater than those provided by the applicable aircraft noise, fuel venting, exhaust emissions, and fuel efficiency requirements of this subchapter as designated in § 21.17; and
(ii) The applicable airworthiness requirements of this subchapter as designated in § 21.17, or the applicable airworthiness requirements of the State of Design and any other requirements the FAA may prescribe to provide a level of safety equivalent to that provided by the applicable airworthiness requirements of this subchapter as designated in § 21.17;
(2) The applicant has provided technical data to show the product meets the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section; and
(3) The manuals, placards, listings, and instrument markings required by the applicable airworthiness (and noise, where applicable) requirements are presented in the English language.
(b) A product type certificated under this section is determined to be compliant with the fuel venting and exhaust emission standards of part 34 of this subchapter, the noise standards of part 36 of this subchapter, and the fuel efficiency requirements of part 38 of this subchapter. Compliance with parts 34, 36, and 38 of this subchapter is certified under paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, and the applicable airworthiness standards of this subchapter, or an equivalent level of safety, with which compliance is certified under paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section.
[Amdt. 21-92, 74 FR 53386, Oct. 16, 2009, as amended by Amdt. No. 21-107, 89 FR 12653, Feb. 16, 2024]
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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1Under what conditions can the FAA issue a type certificate for an aircraft manufactured in a foreign country?
Per FAR 21.29, the FAA may issue a type certificate for an imported product only if the U.S. has an import/export agreement with that country, the State of Design certifies the product meets applicable noise, emissions, fuel efficiency, and airworthiness standards (or equivalent), the applicant provides supporting technical data, and required manuals and markings are in English.
Q2If a foreign aircraft is type certificated under FAR 21.29, does it still need separate compliance findings under Parts 34, 36, and 38?
No. FAR 21.29(b) states that a product type certificated under this section is determined to be compliant with the fuel venting and emission standards of Part 34, the noise standards of Part 36, and the fuel efficiency requirements of Part 38.
Q3What language must the manuals, placards, and instrument markings be in for an imported product type certificated by the FAA?
FAR 21.29(a)(3) requires that all manuals, placards, listings, and instrument markings required by the applicable airworthiness and noise requirements be presented in the English language.
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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