FAR 21.41 — Type Certificate Contents
FAR 21.41 defines what's included in an aircraft type certificate: type design, operating limitations, data sheet, and applicable regulations.
FAR 21.41 spells out exactly what a type certificate covers when the FAA approves a new aircraft, engine, or propeller design. A type certificate isn't just a single piece of paper — it's a package that legally defines the approved product.
Under this section, each type certificate is considered to include:
- The type design (the drawings, specifications, and data that define the product)
- The operating limitations for the product
- The type certificate data sheet (TCDS)
- The applicable regulations of this subchapter that the FAA records compliance with
- Any other conditions or limitations prescribed for the product in this subchapter
Why it matters operationally: when you fly a certificated aircraft, you're flying something whose limits and configuration are locked in by its type certificate. The TCDS is the public-facing summary you can pull up to verify approved engines, weights, fuel, and key limitations. Mechanics use it to confirm conforming parts and configurations, and pilots can use it to back-check operating limitations against the POH/AFM.