FAR 21.325 — Export Airworthiness Approvals
FAR 21.325 explains how the FAA issues export airworthiness approvals for aircraft, engines, propellers, and articles, including products located outside the U.S.
In Plain English
FAR 21.325 sets out how the FAA issues export airworthiness approvals when U.S. aviation products are sold or transferred to buyers in other countries. While most student pilots won't deal with this directly, understanding it helps you grasp how aircraft and parts move through the global aviation system under FAA oversight.
Key points of the rule:
- For a complete aircraft, an export airworthiness approval is issued as an Export Certificate of Airworthiness. Importantly, this certificate does not authorize operation of the aircraft — it only documents airworthiness for export purposes.
- For an aircraft engine, propeller, or article (parts and components), the FAA prescribes the specific form and manner of the approval.
- An export approval can be issued for a product or article located outside the United States, provided the FAA determines doing so creates no undue burden in administering Title 49 U.S.C. and the applicable regulations.
Operationally, this matters because an Export C of A is a paperwork document, not an operating authorization — the receiving country must still issue its own airworthiness certificate before the aircraft can be flown there.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 21.325§ 21.325 Export airworthiness approvals.
(a) An export airworthiness approval for an aircraft is issued in the form of an export certificate of airworthiness. This certificate does not authorize operation of that aircraft.
(b) The FAA prescribes the form and manner in which an export airworthiness approval for an aircraft engine, propeller, or article is issued.
(c) If the FAA finds no undue burden in administering the applicable requirements of Title 49 U.S.C. and this subchapter, an export airworthiness approval may be issued for a product or article located outside of the United States.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What form does an export airworthiness approval take for a complete aircraft, and does it allow you to fly the aircraft?
Per FAR 21.325, it is issued as an Export Certificate of Airworthiness, and that certificate does not authorize operation of the aircraft.
Q2Can the FAA issue an export airworthiness approval for a product that is already located outside the United States?
Yes. Under FAR 21.325(c), the FAA may issue an export approval for a product or article located outside the U.S. if it finds no undue burden in administering Title 49 U.S.C. and the applicable subchapter requirements.
Q3How is an export airworthiness approval issued for an aircraft engine, propeller, or article?
FAR 21.325(b) states that the FAA prescribes the form and manner in which the export airworthiness approval is issued for engines, propellers, and articles.
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Related Sections in Part 21