AC 21-12D Table 5, Restricted Category References For… Refer to… Aircraft manufactured under a PC or TC only 14 CFR 21.185(a) Other aircraft (aircraft was used by U.S. Armed Forces or an aircraft previously type-certificated in another category) 14 CFR 21.185(b) Import aircraft type-certificated and produced under the authority of another country with which the United States has a bilateral agreement 14 CFR 21.185(c) Airworthiness Certification of Aircraft procedures FAA Order 8130.2 Restricted Category Type Certification procedures FAA Order 8110.56
4.2.6 Experimental Airworthiness Certificate.
The issuance of special airworthiness certification for the experimental purposes is pursuant to 14 CFR 21.191, Issue of experimental airworthiness certificates. If applicable, apply for more than one experimental purpose. When applying for a special airworthiness certificate for an experimental purpose(s) in AWC, indicate one or more of the experimental purposes from the “Experimental” drop-down list by selecting the corresponding check box(s). On Form 8130-6, mark the “Special Airworthiness Certificate” box, the “Experimental” box, and the applicable experimental purpose(s).
When making an application for an unmanned aircraft, in addition to marking the “Special Airworthiness” and “Experimental” boxes, mark the “Unmanned Aircraft” box and the applicable operation(s) to be conducted. The following references may be useful when making an application for an experimental purpose (Table 6) 4-5
AC 21-12D Table 6, Experimental Purpose References Experimental Airworthiness Certificate For Purpose(s)… Refer to Research and development 14 CFR 21.191(a) Showing compliance with regulations 14 CFR 21.191(b) Crew training 14 CFR 21.191(c) Exhibition 14 CFR 21.191(d) Air racing 14 CFR 21.191 (e) Market surveys 14 CFR 21.191(f) Operating amateur-built aircraft 14 CFR 21.191(g) Operating primary kit-built aircraft 14 CFR 21.191(h) Operating former military aircraft * 14 CFR 21.191(j) Operating light-sport category kit-built aircraft 14 CFR 21.191(k) Operating former light-sport category aircraft 14 CFR 21.191(l) Airworthiness Certification of Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Optionally Piloted Aircraft FAA Order 8130.34 ** *Effective July 24, 2026.
** Note: FAA orders are not regulations. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Optionally Piloted Aircraft must still meet the requirements of the 14 CFR, and Order 8130.34 does not impose any requirements on the public beyond what 14 CFR imposes.
4.2.7 Special Flight Permit.
Special flight permits are issued to aircraft that may not currently meet applicable airworthiness requirements but are capable of safe flight. For a special flight permit, on Form 8130-6, mark the “Special Airworthiness Certificate” box, the “Special Flight Permit” box, and the applicable operation to be conducted. Unmanned aircraft may be issued special flight permits for production flight testing.
Note: When using AWC, select “Special Flight Permit” from the “Create Application” section on the AWC dashboard. Refer to the AWC User Guide and Sections 11 and 12 of this AC for further guidance and instructions when applying for a special flight permit. The following references may be useful when making an application of special flight permit (Table 7):
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AC 21-12D Table 7, Special Flight Permit References Special Flight Permit For… Refer to… Flying an aircraft to a base where repairs, alterations, or maintenance are to be performed, or to a point of storage 14 CFR 21.197(a)(1) Aircraft delivery or exports 14 CFR 21.197(a)(2) Production flight testing of new aircraft 14 CFR 21.197(a)(3) Evacuating aircraft from areas of impending danger 14 CFR 21.197(a)(4) Demonstration flights in new aircraft that have completed production flight testing 14 CFR 21.197(a)(5) Operations of an aircraft weighing more than the maximum certificated takeoff weight 14 CFR 21.197(b)
4.3 Multiple Airworthiness Certificate for Restricted Category Aircraft.
Certificates can be issued to an applicant in the restricted category and one or more other categories except the primary category (refer to 14 CFR 21.187, Issue of multiple airworthiness certificates for restricted category aircraft, for additional information and requirements). In AWC, to apply for multiple airworthiness certificates, select “Multiple Certificates” from the Create Application section on the AWC dashboard page. For application of multiple airworthiness certificates, on Form 8130-6, mark the “Multiple Airworthiness Certificate” box. Based upon the application, mark, when applicable, the “Standard Airworthiness” box with the appropriate categories and/or the “Special Airworthiness” box with the appropriate category of either “limited” or “restricted” with appropriate operation(s). Mark only the aircraft airworthiness certificates being requested.
Note: This section is not applicable to multipurpose experimental airworthiness certificates.
4.4 Current Airworthiness Certificate to Retain.
If there is an existing airworthiness certificate, standard or special, that is to be retained in addition to the certificate being applied for on the application, mark the “Current Airworthiness Certificate to Retain” box and enter the type of certificate followed by the date of issuance as shown on that certificate. Example: if the applicant is applying for a special airworthiness certificate in the restricted category with a special purpose of agriculture-crop spraying and the aircraft currently has a valid standard airworthiness certificate in the normal category that the applicant wishes to retain, enter “Standard- Normal” and date of issuance on that certificate “05 Jun 2019.” If there are existing airworthiness certificates that exceed the limitations of the text box, enter “See section VII.E of this form.” In section VII.E, enter “B.10 continued:” and enter all applicable existing airworthiness certificates to be retained.
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AC 21-12D CHAPTER 5. SECTION III, OWNER’S CERTIFICATION, ITEM A, REGISTERED OWNER Note: Title 14 CFR Part 47, Aircraft Registration, details the requirements to register aircraft.
5.1 Name.
Enter the name as exactly shown on the aircraft registration certificate.
5.2 Address.
Enter the address as exactly shown on the aircraft registration certificate.
5.3 If Dealer, Check Here.
This data field should be marked if the aircraft is registered under a dealer’s aircraft registration certificate.
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AC 21-12D CHAPTER 6. SECTION III, OWNER’S CERTIFICATION, ITEM B, AIRCRAFT
CERTIFICATION BASIS In this section, enter information about the aircraft’s certification. If the application is for multiple airworthiness certificates, the certification information for each requested certificate should be entered. In AWC, select the certification information from the applicable drop-down list. On Form 8130-6, mark all boxes that apply to the application and complete the requested data in each data field as it applies.
6.1 Aircraft Specification or Type Certificate Data Sheet.
6.1.1 For aircraft with TCs, enter the TC number (for example, “T00001SE”). When revisions exist, use the TC number plus “Rev” and the revision number (for example, “T00001SE Rev 46”). The revision number is the version found on page 1 of the aircraft’s TCDS.
6.1.2 For a new aircraft or model where the TCDS or specification has been approved but not yet published, enter the date of approval in month/day/year format, the TC number, and the word “Preliminary” (for example, “01/02/2010 AB123 Preliminary”).
6.1.3 Older aircraft (predating TCDS) may have been originally certificated with aircraft specifications. Specifications may be located on the DRS website using the TCDS link and searching by the type or model aircraft. Enter the specification number as shown on the “TC Number” line.
6.1.4 For special airworthiness certificate for the light-sport category or the experimental purposes of operating light-sport category kit-built aircraft or operating former lightsport category aircraft mark the box and enter “N/A.” A manufacturer’s statement of compliance, Form 8130-15, must be provided with the application pursuant to § 21.190.
For additional information about light-sport aircraft, refer to the FAA Light-Sport Aircraft website.
6.2 Airworthiness Directives.
Regardless of the type of airworthiness certificate requested, indicate the aircraft is in compliance with all applicable ADs (refer to 14 CFR Part 39, Airworthiness Directives, and 14 CFR 21.99, Required design changes). Airworthiness Directives Biweekly (AD biweekly) can be found on the DRS website.
6.2.1 If the aircraft is in compliance with all ADs, check the box and then enter the latest AD biweekly supplement number published as of the date of application. Use a four-digit year, a dash, and publication number format. As an example, if the day of the application is 09/30/2024, 2024-19 would be the latest supplement published, enter “2024-19” in the data field.
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AC 21-12D
6.2.2 For a special airworthiness certificate for the light-sport category or the experimental purposes of operating former light-sport category aircraft or operating light-sport category kit-built aircraft, you should enter “None”
6.2.3 In AWC, if answered “No” to the “All Applicable ADs Are Compiled With” field, a prompt is displayed indicating that the application is not eligible for a standard or special airworthiness certificate and to contact the local FAA office for guidance. AWC will not allow the continuation of this application.
6.3 Supplemental Type Certificate.
This data field is applicable for all standard airworthiness certifications. This data field is also applicable for special airworthiness certifications in the restricted, limited, provisional, and primary categories. When one or more STCs are installed, mark the box and complete the data field with the required information. When no STCs are installed, leave the box unmarked and enter “N/A.”
6.3.1 Enter the STC number of each STC installed. If more space is needed, use an attachment. When using an attachment, list the STCs installed by STC number only. For aircraft involved in FAA STC projects, ensure the STC number for the completed project is listed in the data field at the time of application.
6.3.2 For a special airworthiness certificate for the light-sport category or an experimental purpose, in AWC select the “Not Applicable” box, for paper Form 8130-6 user, leave the box unmarked and enter “N/A” in the data field.
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AC 21-12D CHAPTER 7. SECTION III, ITEM C, AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE RECORDS
7.1 Maintenance Records Are in Compliance with applicable 14 CFR requirements.
Check this block if maintenance records are in compliance with requirements applicable to the airworthiness certificate which you are applying for.
7.2 Total Airframe Hours.
Enter in this data field the aircraft’s total time in service measured in hours. Time in service should be determined from your aircraft maintenance records.
7.3 Experimental Only.
7.3.1 This data field should only be completed when—
• Submitting an application for a new or renewed special airworthiness certificate for an experimental purpose (experimental airworthiness certificate),
• Requesting a change from an experimental airworthiness certificate back to a previously held standard airworthiness certificate, or
• Requesting a change from an experimental airworthiness certificate back to a previously held special airworthiness certificate in another category.
7.3.2 Enter “0” if applying for an original issuance of an experimental airworthiness certificate with zero hours flown.
7.3.3 If renewing an experimental airworthiness certificate or making an application to change back a previously held certificate, enter in this data field the number of hours the aircraft has flown since the issuance of the current experimental airworthiness certificate.
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AC 21-12D CHAPTER 8. SECTION III, ITEM D, CERTIFICATION For AWC, refer to the AWC User Guide and this section of the AC when completing the Owners Certification. Once required information has been completed, click “Save” or “Save and Next.”
A pop-up display will appear with a certification declaration. Read and verify the certification statement and agree to proceed. On Form 8130-6, read and verify the certification statement on the application before completing this item. On Form 8130-6 there are three blocks to complete.
8.1 Date of Application.
Enter the date that you attest to the certification statement in month/day/year format (for example, “02/09/2025”).
8.2 Name and Title.
Enter (print or type) the full name and title of the person certifying the application. A full name may include first name, a middle initial, and last name. Titles may include owner, president, director, or agent. Examples of a full name and title are “John E. Doe, Owner” and “John Doe, Director of Quality Assurance.” If an agent completes the application, a notarized letter from the aircraft’s registered owner authorizing the agent to act on the owner’s behalf should be included (upload to AWC if necessary).
8.3 Signature.
The person whose name appears in the “Name and Title” data field should sign the signature data field. When using the paper version of FAA Form 8130-6 the user should ink sign. For AWC users, AWC provides for electronic signatures.
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AC 21–12D CHAPTER 9. SECTION IV, INSPECTION AGENCY VERIFICATION Complete this section only for standard airworthiness applications of used aircraft or surplus U.S. military aircraft (except an experimental aircraft that previously had been issued a different airworthiness certificate under this section). To qualify for a standard airworthiness certificate, show the aircraft conforms to a type design approved under a TC or an STC. The aircraft must also be in compliance with all applicable FAA issued ADs. The aircraft must be inspected and found airworthy by one of four methods (refer to paragraphs 9.1 through 9.4 of this section). The aircraft has been inspected in accordance with the performance rules for 100-hour inspections, refer to 14 CFR 43.15, or an equivalent performance standard acceptable to the FAA (refer to 14 CFR 21.183(d)(2)).
Note: Do not complete this section when applying for an amended certificate, § 21.177.
9.1 Title 14 CFR Part 121 Certificate Holder.
Mark this box and enter the certificate number when the aircraft has been inspected and found airworthy by a Part 121 certificate holder.
9.2 Certificated Mechanic.
Mark this box and enter the certificate number when the aircraft has been inspected and found airworthy by a certificated mechanic.
9.3 Certificated Repair Station.
Mark this box and enter the certificate number when the aircraft has been inspected and found airworthy by a mechanic at a certificated repair station.
9.3.1 Certificated Foreign Repair Station.
Mark this box and enter the name (and number if applicable) of the foreign maintenance organization that inspected and found the aircraft airworthy if all of the following are met:
• The U.S. has a bilateral agreement with implementation procedures with the exporting country that includes acceptance of this aircraft category by the U.S. for import,
• The inspection was performed by a maintenance organization appropriately certificated by the exporting CAA, and
• The inspection was completed while the aircraft was operated on the registry of the exporting CAA and within 60 days of submitting the application for a U.S.
airworthiness certificate.
9.3.2 Reserved.
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AC 21–12D
9.4 Aircraft Manufacturer.
Mark this box and enter the manufacturer name when the aircraft has been inspected and found airworthy by the manufacturer who holds the TC.
9.5 Date.
Enter the date the inspection agency attests to the verification statement. Enter the date in month/day/year format (for example, “02/09/2025”).
9.6 Name and Title.
Print the name and title of the authorized person at the inspecting agency who completed the inspection as entered in the aircraft logbook. A full name may include first middle initial as appropriate, and last name. Titles may include mechanic, technician, inspector, manager, or director. “John E. Doe, Avionics Technician” and “John Doe, Director of Quality Assurance” are some examples of a full name and title.
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AC 21–12D CHAPTER 10. SECTION VI, PRODUCTION FLIGHT TESTING Note 1: Manufacturers applying for a special flight permit with the purpose of flighttesting production aircraft, complete this section. Refer to 14 CFR 21.197(a)(3).
Note 2: Manufacturers producing fully assembled aircraft in the light sport category, in AWC, select Light Sport Aircraft, on Form 8130-6, complete only items A and C. Item B should be left blank. Refer to 14 CFR 21.197(a)(3).
10.1 Item A, Manufacturer.
10.1.1 Name.
Enter the name of the manufacturer or legal name of the company.
10.1.2 Address.
Enter the company’s full physical address, which includes street address, city, state, and zip code.
10.2 Item B, Production Basis.
10.2.1 Production Certificate.
Mark this box if the manufacturer holds a PC and has produced the aircraft under this certificate. If the box is marked, a PC number should be entered in the data field space.
10.2.2 Type Certificate.
Mark this box if this aircraft was produced under a TC and not a PC.
10.2.3 Aircraft That May Not Currently Meet Applicable Airworthiness Requirements But Is Capable of Safe Flight.
Mark this box for an aircraft that may not currently meet applicable airworthiness requirements but is capable of safe flight.
10.3 Item C.
10.3.1 Give Quantity of Certificates Required for Operating Needs.
Manufacturers in serial production can request more than one certificate per application submitted. Enter the quantity (in digits) of certificates needed for the operation. For example, entering “4” requests four certificates for use during production flight tests that can be transferred from one aircraft to another.
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AC 21–12D
10.3.2 Date of Application.
Enter the current date as the special flight permit application date in the month/day/year format (for example, “02/09/2025”).
10.3.3 Name and Title.
Enter (print or type) the full name and title. A full name usually includes first name, a middle initial, and last name. Titles may include owner, president, director, or authorized agent. “John E. Doe, Owner” and “John Doe, Director of Quality Assurance” are some examples of a full name and title. If application is completed by the owner’s agent, a notarized letter from the aircraft’s registered owner authorizing the agent to act on the owner’s behalf should be included (upload to AWC if necessary).
10.3.4 Signature.
The person whose name appears in the “Name and Title” data field should sign this data field. Paper Form 8130-6 user should ink sign. For AWC users, AWC provides for electronic signatures.
10.3.5 AWC Review and FAA Office Information.
When using AWC, prior to submitting your application to the FAA, review the application for completeness and accuracy. Once review of the application is complete, select the applicable FAA office. Refer to the FAA website to determine the applicable FAA office, Locate an Office.
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