CertificationЧ
The FAA enhances the safe operation of aviation by controlling, through certification, who may legally function in civil aviation, and by certification of certain equipment used in domestic civil aviation. Certification by the FAA applies to eight major categories:
1. Airmen
2. Aircraft
3. Air Carriers
4. Air Navigation Facilities
5. Air Agencies
8. Airports
7. Designees (representatives of the
Administrator)
8, Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Airmen
Certification is required of pilots, flight engineers, navigators, air traffic controllers, aircraft dispatchers, mechanics, repairmen, and parachute riggers. Certification of airmen includes procedures not only for the written and oral testing of applicants, but also the requirement of practical demonstrations of required levels of proficiency.
Minimum physical and mental health standards are applied through periodic medical examinations of airmen. The FAA issues separate medical certificates to airmen through its network of Aviation Medical Examiners. The amorphous standard that airmen possess “good moral character” has been consistently required of all certificate holders since passage of the Air Commerce Act of 1926.
Aircraft
The FAA issues three types of certificates applicable to aircraft and their components—Type, Production, and Airworthiness. The aircraft components that must be certified include aircraft engines, propellers, and appliances. Every civil aircraft manufactured in the United States is subject to this inspection and certification regimen beginning with the design of the aircraft. A Type Certificate is issued to the aircraft manufacturer after flight and static testing confirms that the design conforms to the standards adopted by the FAA and published in the FARs. The issuance of a Production Type Certificate follows on the manufacturer meeting all FAA standards designed to assure that all aircraft produced pursuant to the Type Certificate will faithfully conform to the approved design of the aircraft. This certificate is a sort of quality assurance requirement based on the manufacturer’s production and inspection methods at its plant. The final requirement imposed by the FAA is the Airworthiness Certificate, which is awarded to each and every aircraft that comes off the assembly line and is required before the aircraft can be delivered to a purchaser. This certificate is valid only for a period of twelve months.