FAR 21.500 — Foreign Engine & Propeller Acceptance
FAR 21.500 explains how aircraft engines and propellers built abroad qualify for U.S. acceptance, covering agreements, part 45 marking, and export approvals.
In Plain English
FAR 21.500 sets the rules for accepting an aircraft engine or propeller that was manufactured in a foreign country or jurisdiction into the U.S. system. This matters because many engines and props installed on U.S.-registered aircraft are built overseas, and the FAA needs assurance that they meet U.S. type design and safety standards before they can be used here.
To be accepted, all three of the following must be true:
- The country or jurisdiction of manufacture must be subject to a bilateral agreement with the United States covering acceptance of that product.
- The product must be marked in accordance with part 45 (identification and registration markings).
- The holder or licensee of the U.S. type certificate must furnish, with each imported engine or propeller, an export airworthiness approval issued under that agreement, certifying that the individual unit:
- Conforms to its U.S. type certificate and is in condition for safe operation; and
- Has been subjected by the manufacturer to a final operational check.
Without all three, the engine or propeller is not acceptable for installation on a U.S. aircraft.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 21.500§ 21.500 Acceptance of aircraft engines and propellers.
An aircraft engine or propeller manufactured in a foreign country or jurisdiction meets the requirements for acceptance under this subchapter if—
(a) That country or jurisdiction is subject to the provisions of an agreement with the United States for the acceptance of that product;
(b) That product is marked in accordance with part 45 of this chapter; and
(c) The holder or licensee of a U.S. type certificate for that product furnishes with each such aircraft engine or propeller imported into the United States, an export airworthiness approval issued in accordance with the provisions of that agreement certifying that the individual aircraft engine or propeller—
(1) Conforms to its U.S. type certificate and is in condition for safe operation; and
(2) Has been subjected by the manufacturer to a final operational check.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What conditions must be met for a foreign-manufactured aircraft engine or propeller to be accepted in the United States?
Per FAR 21.500, the country must be under a bilateral agreement with the U.S., the product must be marked per part 45, and the U.S. type certificate holder must furnish an export airworthiness approval with each unit.
Q2What must the export airworthiness approval certify about an imported engine or propeller?
FAR 21.500(c) requires the export airworthiness approval to certify that the individual engine or propeller conforms to its U.S. type certificate, is in condition for safe operation, and has been subjected to a final operational check by the manufacturer.
Q3Who is responsible for providing the export airworthiness approval for an imported engine or propeller?
Under FAR 21.500(c), the holder or licensee of the U.S. type certificate for that product is responsible for furnishing the export airworthiness approval with each imported engine or propeller.
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Related Sections in Part 21