Distribution Statement A – Approved for public release; distribution unlimited
USAF Center of Excellence for Airworthiness
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE AC-18-01
Headquarters Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) 26 OCT 2018
Engineering Directorate
Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7101
AIRWORTHINESS CIRCULAR
Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Certification Process Overview
PURPOSE:
This USAF airworthiness (AW) circular (AC) provides an overview of the Federal Aviation
Administration’s (FAA) AW certification process and products.
SCOPE:
This AC covers aircraft which receive an FAA AW certification.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Abbreviations and Acronyms
CANCELLATIONS:
Not applicable. This is the first issuance of this AC.
REFERENCED DOCUMENTS:
1. FAA Order 8130.2J, Airworthiness Certification of Products and Articles
2. FAA Order 8110.4, Type Certification
3. FAA Order 8110.101A, Type Certification Procedures for Military Commercial Derivative
Aircraft
DISCUSSION:
This AC provides an introductory overview of the FAA AW certification process and FAA AW
Certificates. Official FAA information is found in 14 CFR, FAA Orders, FAA Advisory
Circulars and other information that can be found at www.faa.gov. Recommendations are
included for the review of FAA AW certification products for use in a USAF AW approval.
1. FAA AW DEFINITION: 14 CFR Part 3.5 and FAA Order 8130.2J, Airworthiness
Certification of
Products and Articles, define “airworthy” as the aircraft must conform to its
design and be in a
condition for safe operation.
1.1. Conforming an aircraft means to verify a specific aircraft is in a configuration which has
been approved with a Type Certificate
(TC) and, if applicable, an amended TC (ATC) and/or
Supplemental Type
Certificates (STCs). This includes conformity to applicable ADs, major
repairs, and major alterations. Minor repairs must conform to FAA-accepted data.
1.2. In a condition for safe operation is generally meant to include the proper routine
