Special Certificate or Airworthiness

General Information

Type certification is the process which can lead to issue of a Type Certificate for the design of a new type of aircraft. Type certification is necessary before a Certificate of Airworthiness (CoA) in one of the standard categories can be issued for an aircraft. Aircraft airworthiness certification is the process of assessing an aircraft against its type design, and ensuring the aircraft is in a condition for safe operation. Satisfactory completion of this process culminates in issue of a CoA for the individual aircraft.

The obligation on Contracting States of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to issue CoAs is specified in Part II, Chapter 3 of ICAO Annex 8, Airworthiness of Aircraft. A CoA may be issued to an individual aircraft on the basis of evidence that the aircraft complies with the applicable airworthiness requirements, and that the aircraft has been satisfactorily constructed and maintained. The airworthiness categories in which Australian CoAs may be issued are described in detail in a companion Advisory Circular, AC 21-1 Aircraft Airworthiness Certification Categories and Designations Explained.

A CoA is necessary for each individual Australian aircraft as one of the legal conditions of being able to fly.

Issue of a standard CoA to an individual aircraft involves: ensuring that the aircraft conforms with the definition of the design and its method of construction i.e. the aircraft conforms to the type design; this in turn ensures that the aircraft meets;

• a design standard and

• the specified airworthiness requirements

  • ensuring that the aircraft is free from manufacturing and post-production defects;

  • ensuring compliance with all applicable airworthiness directives (ADs).

For imported aircraft, applicable ADs will include all applicable ADs from the state of design of the aircraft type; ensuring that all required modifications, as dictated by design changes and applicable ADs, have been embodied; ensuring that the required operational equipment has been fitted; and ensuring that the aircraft’s airworthiness state is properly reflected in the required documentation.

If these conditions are met, the aircraft can be issued with a standard CoA in the relevant category. Full information on the subject of standard CoAs is contained in AC 21-2 Standard Certificates of Airworthiness.

A CoA can be issued to an aircraft which does not meet all the requirements for a Special CoA in one of the standard categories if the aircraft meets all the requirements for a CoA in one of the special categories.

Note that an aircraft with only a Special CoA must not be operated in international airspace or in the territory of a foreign country without the specific permission of that country.

Special Certificates of Airworthiness

The following categories of aircraft are issued with Special CoAs:

• Primary

• Intermediate

• Restricted

• Limited

• Amateur Built (accepted under an Amateur Built Aircraft Acceptance (ABAA))

• Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) covered by CASR 21.186.

The following are also classified under CASR 21.175 as a Special CoA:

• Provisional CoA

• Experimental Certificate