FAR 21.6 — Manufacturing New Aircraft
FAR 21.6 explains who may manufacture new aircraft, engines, and propellers under a type certificate, plus exceptions for pre-2004 builds and imports.
In Plain English
FAR 21.6 controls who is legally allowed to manufacture a new aircraft, aircraft engine, or propeller based on an existing type certificate (TC). As a pilot student, you don't need to build airplanes — but you do need to understand why the aircraft you fly is legally certificated, because airworthiness traces back to this rule.
Under 21.6(a), a manufacturer must:
- Hold the type certificate, or have a licensing agreement from the TC holder to build that product; and
- Meet the requirements of Subpart F (production under TC only) or Subpart G (production certificate).
There are limited exceptions:
- One-aircraft grandfather clause — a person may build one new aircraft without (a) if they can show the FAA that manufacture began before August 5, 2004.
- Imported aircraft brought in under §§ 21.183(c), 21.184(b), or 21.185(c).
- Imported new engines or propellers brought in under § 21.500.
Operationally, this rule is why every standard-category aircraft you fly has a clear chain back to a TC holder — the foundation of its airworthiness certificate.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 21.6§ 21.6 Manufacture of new aircraft, aircraft engines, and propellers.
(a) Except as specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, no person may manufacture a new aircraft, aircraft engine, or propeller based on a type certificate unless the person—
(1) Is the holder of the type certificate or has a licensing agreement from the holder of the type certificate to manufacture the product; and
(2) Meets the requirements of subpart F or G of this part.
(b) A person may manufacture one new aircraft based on a type certificate without meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section if that person can provide evidence acceptable to the FAA that the manufacture of the aircraft by that person began before August 5, 2004.
(c) The requirements of this section do not apply to—
(1) New aircraft imported under the provisions of §§ 21.183(c), 21.184(b), or 21.185(c); and
(2) New aircraft engines or propellers imported under the provisions of § 21.500.
[Doc. No. FAA-2003-14825, 71 FR 52258, Sept. 1, 2006]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1Who is legally allowed to manufacture a new aircraft based on a type certificate?
Per FAR 21.6(a), only the holder of the type certificate, or someone with a licensing agreement from the TC holder, who also meets the production requirements of Subpart F or G of Part 21.
Q2Are there any exceptions that let someone build a new aircraft without holding or licensing the type certificate?
Yes. FAR 21.6(b) allows a person to manufacture one new aircraft without meeting (a) if they can show the FAA that manufacture began before August 5, 2004.
Q3Does FAR 21.6 apply to imported aircraft, engines, or propellers?
No. FAR 21.6(c) exempts new aircraft imported under §§ 21.183(c), 21.184(b), or 21.185(c), and new engines or propellers imported under § 21.500.
Studying for a checkride?
Related Sections in Part 21