Special Airworthiness Certificate

Not to be confused with Standard Airworthiness Certificate.

A special airworthiness certificate is an airworthiness certificate that is not sufficient to allow an aircraft to be used in commercial passenger or cargo operations.

United States

In the USA a special airworthiness certificate is issued in one or more of the following categories:

Category	Purpose(s)	Title 14 CFR Section
Primary	Aircraft flown for pleasure and personal use	21.24, 21.184
Restricted	Aircraft with a "restricted" category type certificate, including: Agricultural Forest and wildlife conservation Aerial surveying Patrolling (pipelines, power lines) Weather control Aerial advertising Other operations specified by the Administrator	21.25, 21.185
Multiple	Multiple airworthiness certificates	21.187
Limited	Aircraft with a "limited" category type certificate	21.189
Light-Sport	Operate a light-sport aircraft, other than a gyroplane, kit-built, or transitioning ultralight like vehicle	21.190
Experimental	Research and development - an aircraft whose purpose is to test new design concepts, equipment, or operating techniques Showing compliance with regulations - a prototype aircraft that is built for the purposes of demonstrating the airworthiness of a design Crew training - an aircraft used solely for training that, for some reason, does not have a standard certificate (e.g. the NASA Shuttle Training Aircraft) Exhibition Air racing Market surveys - a sales demonstration aircraft Operating amateur-built aircraft Operating kit-built aircraft Operating light-sport aircraft Unmanned Aircraft Systems	21.191, 21.193, 21.195
Special Flight Permit	Special-purpose flight of an aircraft that is capable of safe flight	21.197
Provisional	Aircraft with a "provisional" category type certificate for special operations and operating limitations	Part 21 Subpart C, Part 21 Subpart I, Section 91.317

Notes

Interior of Australian Lockheed Super Constellation warning "This aircraft is not required to comply with the safety regulations for standard aircraft. You fly in this aircraft at your own risk."

References

• The Code of Federal Regulations Title 14, Volume 1, Part 21