FAR 21.327 — Export Airworthiness Application

FAR 21.327 sets out who can apply for an export airworthiness certificate or export airworthiness approval and how the application is made. While this rule is more relevant to owners, manufacturers, and exporters than to most student pilots, it's still useful background for understanding how U.S. aviation products move into foreign registries.

The section covers three points:

• Aircraft: Only the owner of a U.S.-registered aircraft (or the owner's agent) may apply for an export certificate of airworthiness for that aircraft.
• Engines, propellers, and articles: Any person may apply for an export airworthiness approval for an aircraft engine, propeller, or article.
• Form of application: Every applicant must apply in the form and manner prescribed by the FAA.

Operationally, this matters because an export certificate is what allows an aircraft or component to be accepted by a foreign civil aviation authority. Knowing who has standing to apply prevents wasted paperwork and ensures the chain of ownership is documented before the aircraft leaves the U.S. registry.