Advance Copy
U.S. Department
of Transportation
Federal Aviation
Administration
Advisory
Circular
Subject: CERTIFICATION AND OPERATION Date: 9/26/01 AC No. 20-27E
OF AMATEUR-BUILT AIRCRAFT Initiated by: AIR-200
_____________________________________________
1. PURPOSE. This advisory circular (AC) contains information and guidance on the fabrication and assembly,
airworthiness certification, and operation of amateur-built aircraft of all types; explains the amount of fabrication
and assembly the builder must accomplish for the aircraft to be eligible for amateur-built certification; and
describes the role of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the certification process. The information
contained herein sets forth an acceptable means, but not the only means, for compliance with the applicable
sections of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 21, Certification Procedures for Products and
Parts (part 21).
2. CANCELLATION. AC 20-27D, Certification and Operation of Amateur-Built Aircraft, dated
June 22, 1990, is canceled.
3. PRINCIPAL CHANGES.
a. Information for placard installation and cockpit instrument marking has been added.
b. Information for the evaluation and operation of system controls has been added.
c. Guidance regarding commercial assistance has been added.
d. Information in the examples of applicable forms has been revised.
e. Operating limitations have been removed to avoid any inconsistencies with those contained in FAA
Order 8130.2, Airworthiness Certification of Aircraft and Related Products.
f. Acronyms referring to Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations have been changed from FAR
to 14 CFR.
4. DEFINITIONS. The following terms are defined for use in this AC:
a. Amateur-Built Aircraft. An aircraft in which the major portion has been fabricated and assembled by
a person(s) who undertook the construction process solely for their own education or recreation.
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