The Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 21) provide for the issuance of FAA Form 8130-7, Special Airworthiness Certificate, in the experimental category to permit the operation of amateur-built aircraft. Section 21.191(g) defines an amateur-built aircraft as an aircraft, the major portion of which has been fabricated and assembled by person(s) who undertook the construction project solely for their own education or recreation. Commercially produced components and parts which are normally purchased for use in aircraft may be used including engines and engine accessories, propellers, tires, spring steel landing gear, main and tail rotor blades, rotor hubs, wheel and brake assemblies, forgings, castings, extrusions, and standard aircraft hardware such as pulleys, bellcranks, rod ends, bearings, bolts, rivets, etc.

The FAA has designated some private persons to act in its behalf in the inspection of amateur-built aircraft and the issuance of airworthiness certificates. These persons are known as Designated Airworthiness Representatives (DAR). The amateur-builder may contact the local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) or Manufacturing Inspection District Office (MIDO) for assistance.

Note: AC 20-27G contains a detailed explanation of the registration process. I suggest that you begin the process by thoroughly reading it.

Forms:
• N-number Registration - Request and pay for a custom N-number via the FAA web site.
  
• AC Form 8050-1 - Aircraft Registration Form
  
• AC Form 8050-2 - Aircraft Bill of Sale
  
• AC Form 8050-88 - Affidavit of Ownership
  
• FAA Form 8130-6 - Application for Airworthiness Certificate
  
• FAA Form 8130-12 - Eligibility Statement: Amateur-Built Aircraft
  
• FAA Form 8610-2 - Application for Repairman Certificate (PDF)
  
• FAA Form 8050-3 - Certificate of Aircraft Registration (Issued by FAA)
  
• FAA Form 8130-7 - Special Airworthiness Certificate (Issued by FAA)
  
• Sample Weight and Ballance
• Sample Program Letter
  

Advisory Circulars:
The following Advisory Circulars (AC) are helpful for the construction, registration, and operation of amateur-built aircraft. Click on the AC below to view and/or download the appropriate PDF file.
• AC20-27G - Certification and Operation of Amateur-Built Aircraft
  This AC provides information and guidance in the building, certification and operation of amateur-built aircraft. (Note: AC20-27E is outdated now.)

• AC20-139 - Commercial Assistance During Construction of Amateur-Built Aircraft
  Explains FAA regulations and policy regarding commercial assistance during the fabrication and assembly of amateur-built aircraft.

• AC21-12C - Application for U.S. Airworthiness Certificate, Form 8130-6

• AC90-89B - Amateur-Built Aircraft & Ultralight Flight Testing Handbook
  This AC sets forth suggestions and safety related recommendations to assist amateur and ultralight builders in developing individualized aircraft flight test plans.

• AC65-23A - Certification of Repairpersons (Experimental Aircraft Builders)
  This AC provides guidance to builders of amateur-built aircraft concerning their certification as repairmen.

• AC39-7D - Airworthiness Directives
  This AC provides guidance and information to owners and operators of aircraft concerning their responsibility for complying with airworthiness directives (AD) and recording AD compliance in the appropriate maintenance records.

• AC103-7 - The Ultralight Vehicle
  This advisory circular provides guidance to the operators of ultralights in the United States. It discusses the elements which make up the definition of ultralight vehicles for the purposes of operating under Federal Aviation Regulation (14 CFR part 103). It also discusses when an ultralight must be operated as an aircraft under the regulations applicable to certificated aircraft.

Misc. References:
• Listing of Approved Amateur-Built Aircraft Kits (Meets 51% Rule, June 2019) (ama-kit.pdf)

• Listing of Designated Airworthiness Representatives (DAR) - Seach for DAR-F with code 46

• Briefing to Airworthiness Inspectors/DARs: Certification of Amateur-Buit Aircraft (Power Point)

• Pre-Registration Inspection Checklist

• FAA Order 8130.2J - Airworthiness Certification of Aircraft and Related Products, dated 7/21/2017. Establishes procedures for accomplishing original and recurrent airworthiness certification of aircraft and related products, including amateur-built aircraft.

  The procedures contained in this order apply to both Aircraft Certification Manufacturing and Flight Standards Airworthiness Aviation Safety Inspectors, and to private persons/organizations (DARs) delegated authority to issue airworthiness certificates and related approvals. Chapter 4, Section 1 provides general guidance material associated with special airworthiness certification. Chapter 4, Section 7 provides specific information for special airworthiness certification of experimental amateur-built aircraft.

• FAA Amateur Built Aircraft Reference Material

• FAA Reference Library

1.  What is a special airworthiness certificate in the experimental category?

This certificate is issued to operate an aircraft that does not have a type certificate or does not conform to its type certificate.  Additionally, this certificate is issued to operate kit-built aircraft that were assembled without the supervision and quality control of the production certificate holder.  Special airworthiness certificates may be issued in the experimental category for the following purposes:

• Research and development:  to conduct aircraft operations as a matter of research or to determine if an idea warrants further development.  Typical uses for this certificate include new equipment installations, operational techniques or new use, or pure research.

• Showing compliance with regulations:  to show compliance to the CFR when an applicant has revised the type certificate design data or has applied for a supplemental type certificate or field approval.

• Crew training:  for training the applicant’s flight crews in experimental aircraft for subsequent operation of aircraft being flight tested in Type Certificate programs or for production flight testing.

• Exhibition:  to exhibit an aircraft’s flight capabilities, performance, or unusual characteristics for air shows, motion pictures, television, and similar productions, and for the maintenance of exhibition flight proficiency.

• Air racing:  to operate an aircraft in air races, practice for air races, and to fly to and from racing events.

• Market surveys:  to conduct market surveys, sales demonstrations, and customer crew training for U.S. manufacturers of aircraft or engines.

• Operating amateur-built aircraft:  to operate an amateur-built aircraft in which the major portion has been fabricated and assembled by persons for their own recreation or education.  An aircraft built from a kit may also be eligible for amateur-built certification.

• Operating kit-built aircraft:  to operate a primary category aircraft that was assembled by a person from a kit manufactured by the holder of a production certificate for that kit, without the supervision and quality control of the production certificate holder.

2.  How do I obtain a special airworthiness certificate?

The general process for obtaining a special airworthiness certificate is defined in the following steps:  

1.  Register the aircraft.
2.  Submit formal application.
3.  Determine aircraft eligibility.
4.  Issue special airworthiness certificate.

If you are interested in obtaining a special airworthiness certificate for your aircraft, contact your local FAA Manufacturing Inspection District Office or Flight Standards District Office to obtain registration and application forms as necessary and answers to any specific questions.

You must register your aircraft following the procedures identified in 14 CFR part 47, Aircraft Registration.  

You must submit an original copy of FAA Form 8050-1, along with a Bill of Sale, FAA Form 8050-2 (original form only), and a check made out to the FAA for $5.00.

The FAA Registration Branch (P.O. Box 25504, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,73125) maintains the Civil Aviation Registry and can provide detailed information regarding the FAA's aircraft registration process, forms, and related information.



Step 2.  Submit Formal Application.

The registered owner of the aircraft or the agent of the owner must submit FAA Form 8130-6, Application for Airworthiness Certificate, to the nearest FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) or Manufacturing Inspection District Office (MIDO) in the geographic area where the aircraft is located.  The local FAA office may require that additional documentation be submitted with the application such as:

• Aircraft registration documents

• A statement of purpose for which the aircraft is to be used

• Configuration data such as three-view drawings or photographs

• Current weight and balance report

• A notarized FAA Form 8130-12, Eligibility Statement for Amateur-Built Aircraft

An aircraft is eligible for a special airworthiness certificate when:

• The aircraft is properly registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47.

• The FAA has determined that all application information is accurate.

• Nationality marks, registration marks, and identification plates are applied in accordance with 14 CFR part 45 and match the information provided on the applicant's application (FAA Form 8130-6).

• A letter of denial has not been issued for any other application for airworthiness certification for this aircraft.

• The FAA has completed an inspection of the aircraft and determined that the aircraft conforms to its FAA-approved type design (i.e., type certificate, supplemental type certificate, and applicable airworthiness directives), if applicable, and is in a condition for safe operation.  This inspection typically verifies the following:
  

  • All cockpit instrumentation and placards are appropriately placed and marked.

  • Logbooks and/or other required maintenance records to include a current weight and balance report, and a listing of incorporated airworthiness directives, as applicable.

  • Proper operation of all aircraft systems, engines, and propellers.

  • For imported aircraft (i.e., restricted category of aircraft), the FAA will review any export certificate of airworthiness issued by another Civil Aviation Authority.

Once the FAA has determined that the aircraft is eligible for a special airworthiness certificate, the FAA will:

• Issue a Special Airworthiness Certificate, FAA Form 8130-7, with the appropriate operating limitations.

• Make an aircraft log book entry that the aircraft has been found to meet the requirements for the requested certificate, and that FAA Form 8130-7 has been issued.

• Complete sections V and VIII of the Application for Airworthiness Certificate, FAA Form 8130-6.

• Forward the appropriate airworthiness documentation to the FAA Civil Aviation Registry at:
           Mailing Address:
           FAA
           Aircraft Registration Branch, AFS-750
           PO Box 25504
           Oklahoma City, OK 73125
           Phone Number: (405) 954-3116