Foreign Manufacturing Facilities

FAR 21.43 — Foreign Manufacturing Facilities

FAR 21.43 explains when the FAA will issue a type certificate if manufacturing facilities are located outside the United States. Study guide for pilots.

In Plain English

FAR 21.43 addresses where a product's manufacturing facilities may be located when seeking a type certificate from the FAA. The general rule is straightforward:

The FAA will not issue a type certificate if the manufacturing facilities for the product are located outside of the United States.
There are two exceptions:
- The case described in § 21.29 (which covers issuance of a U.S. type certificate for products already type certificated in another country), or
- When the FAA specifically finds that the foreign location places no undue burden on the agency in administering applicable airworthiness requirements.

Why it matters operationally: this rule ensures the FAA can effectively oversee airworthiness compliance during design and production. If inspectors can't realistically reach the facility or coordinate with foreign authorities, certification won't be granted. For pilots, this is a foundational reason you can trust that any U.S. type-certificated aircraft — wherever built — has been verified under FAA-administrable standards.

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Regulation Text

14 CFR § 21.43

§ 21.43 Location of manufacturing facilities. Except as provided in § 21.29, the FAA does not issue a type certificate if the manufacturing facilities for the product are located outside of the United States, unless the FAA finds that the location of the manufacturer's facilities places no undue burden on the FAA in administering applicable airworthiness requirements.

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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1Under FAR 21.43, can the FAA issue a type certificate for a product manufactured outside the United States?

Generally no — under FAR 21.43, the FAA does not issue a type certificate if manufacturing facilities are located outside the U.S., unless an exception applies.

Q2What exceptions allow a foreign-manufactured product to receive an FAA type certificate?

Per FAR 21.43, the exceptions are products covered under § 21.29, or cases where the FAA finds the foreign facility location places no undue burden on administering airworthiness requirements.

Q3Why does FAR 21.43 restrict type certification based on the location of manufacturing facilities?

FAR 21.43 ties certification to the FAA's ability to administer airworthiness requirements; if a foreign location would create an undue burden on FAA oversight, a type certificate will not be issued.

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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