Advisory 

 Circular 

Subject: U.S. AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATES Date: 7/08/04 AC No.: 20-65A 

AND AUTHORIZATIONS FOR OPERATION 

OF DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN AIRCRAFT 

Initiated by: AIR-200 Change: 

1. PURPOSE. This advisory circular (AC) offers general information on issuing— 

• Standard and special airworthiness certificates for U.S.-registered aircraft, and 

• Special flight authorizations (SFA) for operating in the United States of foreign aircraft not 

having standard airworthiness certificates issued by the country of registry. 

This AC describes an acceptable way, but not the only way, to comply with Title 14 of the Code of 

Federal Regulations (14 CFR). However, if you use the AC, you must follow it in all important aspects. 

2. WHO THIS AC AFFECTS. This AC affects Production Approval Holders (PAHs) or individual 

owners of civil aircraft who need to obtain an airworthiness certificate or a special flight authorization 

from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). To better understand the process, you should also 

review FAA Order 8130.2, Airworthiness Certification of Aircraft and Related Products, before 

requesting an airworthiness certificate or special flight authorization. 

3. DOCUMENT THIS AC CANCELS. This AC cancels AC 20-65, U.S. Airworthiness Certificates 

and Authorizations for Operation of Domestic and Foreign Aircraft, dated August 11, 1969. 

4. PRINCIPAL CHANGES FROM THE PREVIOUS VERSION OF THIS AC. We have updated 

this AC to incorporate current requirements and reference applicable orders, ACs, and regulations. We

have also edited it for clarity. 

5. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATES AND SPECIAL 

FLIGHT AUTHORIZATION. 

a. Standard airworthiness certificate. Under 14 CFR 21.175(a), an FAA Form 8100-2, Standard 

Airworthiness Certificate, is issued for an aircraft that fully complies with all requirements applicable to 

normal, utility, acrobatic, commuter, or transport category aircraft, manned free balloons, or any other 

special classes of aircraft designated by the FAA. If you are a PAH or an individual owner of civil 

aircraft, you must request a standard airworthiness certificate under the provisions of: 

(1) Section 21.183(a) or (b) for aircraft manufactured under production or type certificate only; 

(2) Section 21.183(c) for “Import aircraft” type certificated in accordance with § 21.29, and if 

the country in which the aircraft was manufactured certifies, and the FAA finds, that the aircraft 

conforms to the type design and is in a condition for safe operation; or
AC 20-65A 7/08/04 

Page 2 

(3) Section 21.183(d) for “Other aircraft,” which is generally applicable to used aircraft, aircraft 

built from spare or surplus parts, and U.S.-manufactured civil aircraft that were exported and later 

returned to the U.S. for FAA certification. 

b. Special airworthiness certificate. An FAA Form 8130-7, Special Airworthiness Certificate, 

may be issued, for all non-standard aircraft, as classified under § 21.175(b). Applicants may request a 

special airworthiness certificate under the provisions of: 

(1) Section 21.184 for primary aircraft; 

(2) Section 21.185 for restricted aircraft; 

(3) Section 21.189 for limited aircraft; 

(4) Part 21, subpart C for aircraft in the category of provisional type certificates and part 21, 

subpart I for aircraft covered by the provisional airworthiness certificate requirements; 

(5) Sections 21.191, 21.193, and 21.195 for any experimental aircraft, including amateur-built; 

or 

(6) Sections 21.197 and 21.199 for an aircraft that does not currently meet the applicable 

airworthiness requirements, but is capable of safe flight, may receive a “special flight permit.” 

c. Special flight authorization. An applicant may request a special flight authorization under the 

provisions of: 

(1) Section 91.715 for a non-U.S. civil aircraft that does not have a current airworthiness 

certificate, or an equivalent to a U.S. standard airworthiness certificate, that indicates that the aircraft 

complies with a detailed and comprehensive airworthiness code as provided by Annex 8 to the 

Convention on International Civil Aviation. An SFA is required for an aircraft carrying an airworthiness 

certificate, flight permit, or similar document issued by the country of registry that is equivalent to a 

U.S. special airworthiness certificate. 

(2) Part 375, Navigation of Foreign Civil Aircraft within the United States, for a non-U.S.-

registered civil aircraft to navigate or operate within U.S. airspace. Additional authorization is required 

from the Department of Transportation, Office of Foreign International Aviation, under § 375.10 for 

certain foreign civil aircraft not registered with the International Civil Aviation Organization Member 

State, to operate a non-U.S. registered aircraft in the United States, or 

(3) A “blanket” special flight authorization may be issued when an aircraft manufacturer’s 

operation will be conducted many times during a given period or for a number of aircraft engaged in the 

same operation. Refer to FAA Order 8130.2 for further information. 

NOTE: If the aircraft is of foreign military registry (non-civil), you should send the 

request to bring the aircraft into the United States to the United States Department 

of State. These aircraft may enter the United States only with a diplomatic 

clearance that would be issued solely on a government-to-government, noncommercial basis. Refer to Order 8130.2, Chapter 7 requirements.
7/08/04 AC 20-65A 

Page 3 

6. DISCUSSION. As a production approval holder or individual owner what steps should I take 

to obtain a—

a. Standard airworthiness certificate? 

(1) Step 1. You must first register, identify, and mark your aircraft under part 47, Aircraft 

Registration, and part 45, Identification and Registration Marking. To help aid you in the aircraft 

identification and markings you may go to AC 45-2, Identification and Registration Marking.

(2) Step 2. File Form 8130-6, Application for Airworthiness Certificate, with your local FAA 

manufacturing inspection district office (MIDO), certificate management office (CMO), or FAA flight 

standards district office (FSDO). You can obtain this form from any of these offices. In general, the 

items on the form are self-explanatory; however, if you need help, refer to AC 21-12, Application for 

U.S. Airworthiness Certificate, FAA Form 8130-6, for additional guidance, or get assistance from the 

FAA office you will be working with. 

(3) Step 3. Your local FAA office or their authorized designee will conduct a review of all the 

required documents (see Order 8130.2) and perform the necessary inspections to determine if your 

aircraft is eligible for a standard airworthiness certificate. 

(4) Step 4. If the FAA determines your aircraft meets all the appropriate requirements under 

§ 21.183, the FAA or the designee issues you a standard airworthiness certificate. 

b. Special airworthiness certificate? 

(1) Step 1. You may apply for a special airworthiness certificate in the same manner 

as described in steps 1 through 3 of paragraph 6a. 

(2) Step 2. Once the FAA has determined your aircraft has met all the required regulations, 

applicable to the certificate requested, the FAA or the designee issues you a special airworthiness 

certificate. Title 14 CFR, part 91, General Operating and Flight Rules, prescribes operating limitations 

with the special airworthiness certificates; however, the FAA or designee issuing the special 

airworthiness certificate may prescribe additional limitations if necessary for safety. 

NOTE: The operating limitations become part of the airworthiness 

certificate. 

c. Special flight authorization? 

(1) Step 1. Depending on the type of special flight authorization, whether individual or blanket 

SFA, you may send your application by letter, telegram, or fax to your FAA Flight Standards Division 

(AFS) Manager or AIR Directorate Manager of the FAA region in which you are located or to the region 

in which the United States point of entry is located. The following table (Table 1) shows what 

information is required in your application for either an individual or blanket SFA. The FAA office 

issuing the authorization may request additional information if necessary. You may go to the FAA 

website to contact your nearest AFS, international FAA office, or the supporting manufacturing 

inspection district office (for original certification). You may find all of the FAA offices in the FAA 

website: 
AC 20-65A 7/08/04 

Page 4 

Flight Standards Service: http://www.faa.gov/avr/afs/fsdo/index.cfm

Aircraft Certification Service: http://www.faa.gov/certification/aircraft/map.htm#Top

Table 1. Application Information Needed for a Special Flight Authorization 

INDIVDUAL SPECIAL FLIGHT AUTHORIZATION BLANKET SPECIAL FLIGHT AUTHORIZATION 

1. Name and address of applicant, if different from registered owner. If 

the applicant is not the registered owner, a letter from the owner 

appointing the applicant as an agent also is submitted. 

1. Name and address of the promotion sponsor or the name 

and address of the manufacturer, when the purpose is for 

export. 

2. Name and address of registered owner of the aircraft. 2. The purpose(s) for which the blanket SFA is requested and 

the number of signed copies required to meet operating 

needs. 

3. Operating purpose for which the SFA is requested. 3. Enough information to establish that the flights will not 

affect safety. 

4. Type of airworthiness document, if any, issued for the aircraft by the 

country of registry. 

4. For air shows: 

• Name and address of the registered owner/operator or 

pilot if not the owner; 

• Make, model, serial number, registration number; 

• Type of airworthiness certificate carried; 

• Reason why the aircraft does not comply with standard 

airworthiness requirements; and 

• Aircraft maintenance provisions. 

5. Information of total aircraft time, maintenance status, date of last 

inspection, type of inspection, and inspector’s name and title of the 

person performing the inspection. 

5. Any other information deemed appropriate by the FAA. 

6. Make, model, and serial number of aircraft. 

7. Assigned non-U.S. nationality and registration marks, a valid copy of 

registration document issued by the country of registry and translated 

in English. 

8. Base of operations for the proposed flight and the areas where the 

flight will be conducted. 

9. The proposed U.S. port of entry and itinerary while operating in the 

United States. 

10. The route to the U.S. border and to the ultimate destination. 

11. Whether the aircraft is to be modified by an 

FAA-approved Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) data, and will it 

require maintenance flight-testing in the United States.

12. Whether the aircraft will be used as a test aircraft under a U.S. STC 

and will require flight-testing for the purpose of “showing compliance” 

with the regulations. 

13. If a damage aircraft is involved, the operating limitations (if any) 

assigned by the country of registry after its inspection. 

14. The duration for which the SFA is requested. 

NOTE: A civil aircraft registered in a country that is a member of the 

International Civil Aviation Organization needs only a special flight 

authorization issued by the FAA. A civil aircraft registered in a country that is 

not a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization always requires 

an authorization from the United States Department of Transportation and a 

special flight authorization issued by the FAA to operate in the United States. 

(2) Step 2. Your FAA office issues your special flight authorization for foreign civil aircraft 

once it has received all documents and has determined you meet all requirements under § 91.715 and 

part 375. 
7/08/04 AC20-65A 

Page 5 

7. FAA Publications. 

a. Are there any related documents I should look at? 

(1) Title 14 CFR, parts 21, 45, 47, 91, and 375 sets forth the requirements for certification of 

products and parts; identification and marking of aircraft; aircraft registration; general flight and 

operating rules; and the navigation requirements of non-U.S. aircraft within the United States. 

(2) Order 8130.2, Airworthiness Certification of Aircraft and Related Products, establishes 

procedures for accomplishing airworthiness certification of aircraft and related products. This order 

applies to FAA manufacturing aviation safety inspectors (ASIs), flight standards ASIs, designees, or 

organizational delegations authorized to issue airworthiness certificates and special flight authorizations. 

(3) Advisory Circular 20-27, Certification and Operation of Amateur-Built Aircraft, offers 

guidance on the fabrication and assembly, airworthiness certification, and operation of amateur-built 

aircraft of all types. 

(4) Advisory Circular 20-62, Eligibility, Quality, and Identification of Aeronautical 

Replacement Parts, provides guidance in determining the quality, eligibility, and traceability of parts and 

material that will be installed in U.S. type certificated aircraft. 

(5) Advisory Circular, 21-4, Special Flight Permits for Operation of Overweight Aircraft, 

provides additional information and guidance with respect to special flight permits to operate an aircraft 

in excess of maximum take-off weight, etc. 

(6) Advisory Circular 21-12, Application for U.S. Airworthiness Certificate, FAA Form 8130-6, 

explains how to prepare and submit the form to the FAA. 

(7) Advisory Circular 21-23, Airworthiness Certification of Civil Aircraft, Engines, Propellers, 

and Related Products Imported to the United States, provides additional guidance on U.S. airworthiness 

certification or acceptance of civil aeronautical products imported into the United States. 

(8) Advisory Circular 45-2, Identification and Registration Marking, further explains how to 

identify and mark your aircraft. 

b. How can I get this and other FAA publications? You can get the publications for which there 

is a fee from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 

20402. You can view a list of all ACs at http://www.faa.gov/regulations/index.cfm. You can view the 

Code of Federal Regulations at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/ecfr/

Written request for Advisory Circular Checklist to: 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

M-30 

Washington, DC 20590 
AC 20-65A 7/08/04 

Page 6 

To request free copies contact: 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Subsequent Distribution Office, M-30 

Ardmore East Business Center 

3341 Q 75th Avenue 

Landover, MD 20785 

To be placed on FAA's mailing list for free ACs contact either office, below: 

Federal Aviation Administration Federal Aviation Administration 

Planning and Financial Resources Management Standards and Information Division, 

 Division, AIR-530 APF-100 

800 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 819 800 Independence Avenue, S.W., Room 615 

Washington, DC 20591 Washington, DC 20591 

We encourage you to use the FAA website at http://www.faa.gov/certification/aircraft/ for additional 

information and guidance. 

8. Submit comments about this AC. You may submit direct comments regarding this AC to the 

Production and Airworthiness Division, AIR-200, Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20591. 

/S/ 

Frank P. Paskiewicz 

Manager, Production and Airworthiness 

 Division, AIR-200