FAR 21.95 — Minor Type Design Changes
FAR 21.95 explains how minor changes to an aircraft type design can be approved by the FAA before substantiating data is submitted. Quick study guide.
FAR 21.95 covers how the FAA approves minor changes to an aircraft's type design. A type design is the official package of drawings, specifications, and limitations that defines a certificated aircraft, engine, or propeller. Changes to that design fall into two buckets: minor (no appreciable effect on weight, balance, structural strength, reliability, operational characteristics, or other airworthiness factors) and major (everything else).
For minor changes, the rule keeps the process simple:
- The change can be approved under a method acceptable to the FAA.
- Approval can happen before the applicant submits any substantiating or descriptive data to the FAA.
Why this matters operationally: it lets manufacturers and modifiers move quickly on small design tweaks without the heavy data-submission burden required for major changes (which are handled under FAR 21.97). As a pilot, you won't apply this rule yourself, but you should understand it when discussing airworthiness, type certificates, and how modifications get approved.