BATE : by lo, 1976 

AIIVISORY 

CIRCULAR 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

, FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION 

4 SUBJECT: PRODUCTION CERTIFICATES 

~- ~ 

1 0 PURPOSE. This-advisory circular provides hfolnartioa concerning Subpart 0 

of Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 21 l d ,etr, f&h acceptable 

means 9 not the sole means, of compliance with its requireamntr.’ 

2 l CANCELLATION. AC 21-M dated July 9, 1971, irr cancelled. 

3 l REFERENCE. FAR, Parts Zl, 37, 39, 43, 45 and 183. 

4 0 DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS. As u8ed here& the follawing definittons 

and abbreviations apply: 

a. 

b 0 

c. 

d 0 

Article. A material 9 part9 component, l membly, or appliance which is 

used in the type certificated product, 4s rpccified in the type design 

data. 

Supplier. *Any person who furnishes 8ervice8 to a holder of a production 

certificate which affects a type certificated product, or who rupplies 

articles for iimtallation on a type certificated product, includ.ing 

articles which were not designed or manufactured by the type certificate 

holck. The tern “Supplier” as used in thir, circular is rrynonymous with 

the term “Subsidiary” aa referenced in PAR 21.143. 

Red-1 Office. The Engineering and Hmufmturing Branch of the 

Federal Aviation Adminirtration region hwiag juti8diction over the 

geographical area in’which the manufwtwer i8 located. (In the 

Western Region, the Aircraft Engineering Dittirim) 

District Office. The Ffi &gineeting and l#mufacturin~ Di rtrict Office 

(EMDO) responsible for evaluation and inrprction of the manufacturer% 

frcilities. (In the Western Regima, the Ahcraf t Engineering District 

office (AEDO).) 

’ lnitiotd by: AB-180 
AC 214B 5/10/76 

e. PC, Production CertifieCte (Ref. FAR 21, Subpart c). 

f l APL &proved Production Inspection System (Ref. FAR 21, 

Subpart F). 

8 l PMA. Parts Manufacturer App~ovrl (Ref. 21, SUbpart K). 

h a TSOA. Technical Standard Order Authortge,tAon (Ref. FM 37). 

5 l DISCYSSIOt?. This circulrr cover9 only those rrcctisns oi’ FM 21, 

Subpart C, wllere further dtrcorsfon( information, and examples WOUM be 

helpful. The heading of,each of the followin mafn paragraphs refers to 

b 

the applicable section of Subpart CL 

6 FAR 21,133-ELIG~~I?% An applkation for s prl>dcJction certificate ia 

* 

e 

12, (OMB-0440078) Application for Type Certffieate, Production Certificate, 01 Supphacntal Type Certificate, which is 

submitted to the teglmtrl office. 

7 l FAR 21.135 REQUIREMENTS FOR ISSUANCE. Upon receipt of a properly executed 

FkI Form 611ci-12, ancfollowing a dstrkt office preliminary survey and 

evaluation of the applicant’s q.Jality control data and systea, the FAA 

will convene a pr>ductlon certification board at the applicant’s facilities to make the final deterlnination for issuance of a productim 

certifk3te. The applicant will be forlnally advbed 9s ta t’le extent 

of his assistance needed in the production certification board activities, and of the fiadhgs an3: recwnendatfons of the district o,Lfice / .! 

a:ld t,ile product tori board. Where the facilities, equipment, data, 6’ 3 ‘r I 

procedures, aad personnel of the applicant are found to meet the require- . 

merits of FAR 21, Subpart G, a production certificate will be issued, 

8 0 FAR 21.1390QUALITY CONTROL, A total quality control aysttm meeting the 

requirements of FAR 21.139 would prwide control over all phases of 

manufacture) including control OVCY the manufacture of all rupplierfurnished articles. The control excrciaed by the mmufrcturtr ovtt 

articles furnished to the manufacturer by a supplier that holds his own 

FM approval (PC, API& PMA, TSOA) for the article may be limited to tile 

approval of the mppliet’s material ~cview rystem, design changes, and 

to the manufacturer’8 usual incoming iualitp control procedures employed 

after articles are received from an outside source. 

9 0 FAR 21.1430QUALITY CONTROL DATA REQUIREMENTS. 

- 

a. The data required to be maknitted for approval under this regulation 

should be mabmittad to the dbtrict office at the l ne time the 

application for a production certificate is wbtnittcd to the regional 

office. 

b 0 In general, the requiraments of FAR 21.143 are aelf-axplanatory and 

the fallowing paragraphs provide an emmplc of acceptable compliance: 
S/10/76 

(1) .The mmufactutet'a orgmiutioml structure wcmld I)SWW~ that 

uty declrriom with regard' to workmnrhip, quality, cmfo 

rafcty, materials revfew, md carective action are sot unduly 

influenced by other conaideratioew. TUa cam ba achieved by 

having the quality control oqpisatioo report directly to top 

l0aIaagement 0 

(2) AZA effective quality control ayotem utilftcra well qualified 

impectorrr in mfficdant nmber to amafe that all artdlcler, 

processes, procedures, and the cqleted ptoducte ue 

inspected for conformity to data, mprciffcatioar, and procedures apecifled in the approved type &rim. 

(3) The quality control data would be arraed in aunu~l form, 

with a ruitable index, and rhould caver each portlam of 

FAR 21.143. 

(4) When geferencee to other campany documentr or data ue utilitod, 

the manual would briefly summarize the procedure, amthod, of 

system which ie referenced. by ruch tefereaced material 

becomes part of the data approved by the FM. 

(5) In providtng the description required by FAR 21.143(a)(3), the 

inclurlon of, or reference to, rupplemeatacy data ruch l ~ the 

following is considered helpful tn l howtng acceptable 

compliance: 

(a) Copier of all inrpecticm and acceptance forma and checklists for articles and completed producta, toeether with 

a brief outline of inrtructiana for thegr we. 

(b) Imprint8 of the variaar iarpection and proceerr at-a, 

and their meaning. 

(c) A mhedule of inrpection and calibration totervalr for 

production jigs and ftiturer, pracirian hwpe#%oa toOf8, 

terrtiag equipmnt, including gauge8 and recording 

equipment wed %n controlling psocemea. 

(d) A listing of manufacturing procesrer which are relied 

upon to awure quality, conform$ty, aad safety of the 

coaqleted product. 

c. An acceptable manr of compliance with ?AR 21.143(b) would be to 

provide in the quality control data a deactiption of the ryrrtem 

used to evaluate, monitor, and cantrof all rupplierr to whom the 

bolder of a production certificate hm delegated inrpection duties 

for: controlling canformitp and quality, except that much a 

Pu 9 Pap 3 
description is not required for rupplierr who hold an PM approval 

for the article being #upplied. Such a dcmctiptfcm would include 

an up-to-date lirting, either in the UAAILU~ or ti a referenced 

company documents of all rluch ruppUerr by mm, addram, grnural 

auaenclature of article8 or l ervfcea, md my other pertineat 

information, such as: 

(1) Reference to the manufrcturrr’r quality CO~~ZOX mmu11 by 

title ulrd dote. 

(2) Delegation of.Uteriol Review Board (MRB) l uthority. 

(3) Name snd title of the manufacturer’8 or l pplirr’r quality 

representativeb) who will make available purchase orders, 

drawings, and other applicable data. 

d 0 Quality Control System Functions. A totally integrated quality 

control system would include the following major functions: 

(1) Technical Data Control, 

(a) The usual practice is to maintain a technfcel detr 

. control system which ensure8 that only applicable FAA - 

approved drawing@, drawing change notice@, l glneering 

data, md quality control data are l mllable to 

production and inrprction peraoanel, and that uneuthori~ed, 

inappropri8te B md obsolete vdrewingr md data l e prmptly 

removed fraa production U~AS, 

(b) A drawing change control mystem which cmures that prior 

to final acceptance of product8 or uticler, all changes 

to the type destgn are either iocorpomted ti the 

applicable drawings B or described in change notkes 

attached to such drm&aga. 

(2) Hanufacturin8 Proce88cs. ti inspection plennfng 8)s tan that 

would provide the means for aelecting and controlling procedures 

goveming methods for: 

(a)’ Selection of-appropriate inspection methods and plens for 

articles to ensure that all chrrrctcristic8 effecting rrfety 

will be inspected as requited, to ensure conform1 ty to 

approved design data rnd to l liminrte dirct8pmcies from 

completed product8 md 8peYe rrticler. 

P8ge 4 Pu 9 
S/10/76 AC 21-m 

(b) Ensuring that any defects which might be in a ILot accepted 

under a statistical quality control plan will not result in 

an unsafe conkition in an end product or spare article. 

(c) The establishing of appropriate intipection stations and 

the programing of inspections at each stage of production 

to ensure that parts, assemblies, processes, and srarembly 

operations are inspected, and appliceble tests are 

conducted, in accordance with data, technical materials, 

and procedures maintalined at the station for that particular stage of production. 

(d) Production planning is cwnly achieved through use of 

fabrication and iarspection instructions, @hop travelers, 

checklists, or similar media9 which not only provide 

control over fabrication and aesembly operations, but 

also ensure that necessary inspections end tests will be 

conducted in the proper sequence0 when articles and 

processes are in an inspectable condition. Such a system 

would provide for inspection and tests appropriate to all 

phases of the production cycle, from raw materials and 

related-processes and services to the completed product. 

(e) Production areas would be arramgcd to provide segregation 

of manufacturing processes or operations which may adversely 

affect other operations; f&r mmmplc, separation of precision inspection from each area where grinding, cutting, 

sanding, or painting operations are performed. 

(3) Special Processes. The integrity of processes and services 

utilized in the cons traction of articles and products is 

dependent upon the ski 11 with which the work ia perf omed, the 

capabilities of the equipment used, and the close control of 

temperatures, solutions, curing time, or other critical factors. 

A system td control all processes and aenrices, such.as welding, 

brazing, heat treatment, plating, etc., ensurea that each 

process is performed by trained and qualified personnel and in 

bccordance with approved specification8 containing definitive 

standards of quality, and that periodic inspection of gauges, 

solutions, or any critical equipment is controlled and 

documented. 

(4) Inspection/Identification. Identifying articles or controlling 

documentation with appropriate stamps or marrltrr traceable to the 

individual inspector, is a means of ensuring that only those 

articles and processes which have been accepted and found to 

conform to FM - approved design data are used in the product. 

Par 9 Page 5 
AC 21-18 S/10/76 

For example: Articler rajected aa being unurrble would be 

conrpicuou,ly identified and rubrcqucntly controlled to preclude 

abrolutely either their inrtrllation on tha product ,or their 

we 88 apare atticleo. 

(5) Nondertructive Inspection. 

w 

(b) 

(4 

W 

W 

(0 

(I) 

Operator r rhould be qualified by the manufacturer in 

rccordance with the maIlUfaCtW8r'~ SpeCifiCatiOlL 

Operatore’ qualificationr rhould be kept current. 

Inrpection procedure8 In rpecificotiono rhould be approved 

aa part of quality control data. 

wuipment rhould be inopected and calibrated periodically 

to amare l ccurecy. 

halirtic acceptance criteria ohould be l rtablirhed. 

Inspection acceptance criteria -rhould be kept current with 

derign data. 

&cord@ rhauld be maintained to accurately reflect that 

the rpecification requirmentr are conrtantly atet. 

(6) Tool and Cwnc Control. 

(a) Adequate Pmnufecturi~ facilitier, equipment, and tooliw 

vaald &va the capability aad reliability to l nture 

production of uniforlr duplfcata utlchr mad productr 

coafoming to the qptoved type deriga data. 

$b) To preclude l cceptmce of DOncOnformlng articles, or 

rejections due to improperly controlled tool8 end gtugtr, 

e quality controlyrtem l hould incorporate a rcbtdule for 

inrp%ctioa and calibration, to certified aati~nal 

mmrurement rtaddardr , of all i~@ptctiort toola, gauger, and 

ttrting tquipmtnt, aa well 88 production jig,, fixturtr, 

I tamplattr, etc., whichamdtptnded upon a8 wdie for 

inrptction. An rcctptable l chtdule would have the - 

inrptction interval8 trtabli8htd on the bari that ruch 

toblr and g8ugtr would be inrpected prior to their 

. becoming inaccurett, or requiring l djurtamnt, rtplectmtnt, 

or rtpeir. 

Page 6 Par 9 
b/10/76 AC n-3;“! 

.(c) A recordkeeping eyotem would emwre that uch piece of ’ 

equipment or container gin checked prior to ffrrt wage md 

at the proper perfodk intewr8, and markad to indicate 

the da tc that the next inrpectioa ir due, and ia rnnrrrved 

from inspection .and ahop area@ or mnsp%cuourly identified 

to prohibit wage after iratioa of the iarrpection due 

date. 

(7) Supplier Control, The holder of a production certifdcate is 

primarily responsible under the roquirmmntc of MR 21.16S for 

each article used in his product; therefore, he rrhould ertablfsh 

a system to ensure conformity to the type deli@ of all articlea 

or services obtained from rupplfars, Such a ayatem would ensure 

that: 

(a) Inspections and tests are extended to include rupplicr’s 

inspection and tests of articles BY a~enrices which cannot 

or will not be completely inspected upon receipt by the 

holder of a production certificate at his approved 

facilities. 

(b) Provisions are made for the evaluation and/or surveillance 

of suppliers by the holder of a production certificate 

when he relies to any degrae upon a mapplier’s quality 

control system, or has delegated inspection duties to the 

supplier. Minimal a~ource rruwoillance by the production 

certificate holder fs customarily an acceptable means of 

control when the supplier providerr a certification of 

conformance that includes report8 of quality measurement 

data which show objective rvidenca that quality standard8 

have been met. 

(c) Effective control is exercired to ensure conformity to 

approved design data of all articles obta‘ined from 

suppliers who hold an FM approve1 (PC, APE, PM, TSOA) 

for the article involved, 

Pm 9 

(d) Suppliers to the holder of a production certificate would 

be focally advised that their facilities’ syrtan, data, 

equipment, personnel, and articlm being supplied are 

subject to evaluation and inrpection by the production 

certificate holder and the FAA since, in effect, such 

8upplicr’s facilities comtitute extenrriom of the facilities of the holder of a production certificate. 

Page 7 
; ~2~ WC/76 

(e) Articles obtained fran foreign suppliers are under the same 

degree of control that is exercised over domestic suppliers. 

In general, WI undue burden may exist whenever the type certificate holder performs, or he has mxppliers perfom, any 

of his regulated functions outside the United States, Under 

such circumstances, the evaluation and approval cf design 

changes and the evaludion, approval and subsequent surveillance of manufacturers, including the supenrision of 

desipees performing outside the United States may create 

a burden on the FAA fn administering the FARs. In accordance with FARs 21.43 and 21.137, the detemination of 

whether or not an undue burden eldsts must be made by the 

FAA in each case. FAA sumeillance of materials, parts, 

and appliances is not considered to be an undue burden when: 

1 The manufacturer cmpletely inspects such articles for 

- conformity snd condition won receipt in the United 

States, and such inspections are programed in his FA&- 

approved quality control data; or 

2 h agreement is negotiated between FAA, the foreign civil 

- air authorities md the U.S./fore* mamrfacturers whereby the foreign civil afr authority agrees to perform 

Inspections and sumeU.hnce on behalf of the FAA, and 

certifies to the FAA that each article cQinforms to the 

FAA-approved desiw and is ti a condition for safe 

operation; or 

J, The foreign civil air authority at the country of 

manufacture certifies that the article meets U.S. 

requirements in accordance with FAR 2l.502. 

(f) An effective puschasing and receiving kmpection system 

precludes release to production of noncanfondng m unsafe 

articles procured fian outside murces. Such a system 

would ensure that: 

1 Purchase orders provide rrpecifications or other &sip 

data ti the detail nedkssary to ensure procurement of 

articles or servicea which meet the kquirements of the 

approved type &sign. 

2 All tic&g articles ccmfonn to apprwwi type desie 

data prim to their acceptance mdzelease to production. 

2 Articles which we not desiped or manufactured by the 

producticm certificate holder are of the same deei@ 

configuration as vcified in the approved type design 

data. 
4 Records are maintained of all impectioasa and tarts 

performed by or for the holdm of a production certi- 

. ficate in controllathe &SW caafiguratiool and 

conformity of all 8upplier fwni8hed article& 

fi Inspection/test records are utiliwd, a8 apprqriate, 

to document, as evidence of rcca@iskment, AU rued 

inspection& te8t8, rework, or q)ectim. 

(8) Testiq. The manufacturer shad establi8h and cm@y with 

test procedures applicable to the wticle~ OF pro&ct8. 

( a 1 

09 

( C 1 

(d) 

Test equipment should be controlled md calibrated to 

assure their accuracy. . 

Articlw or products Objected to ad$astmmt cw reworked 

after impection acceptance should be sMemted to qvprcmd 

test procedhrres. \ 

where sampling in8pectioa t08t8 are utilieed, other 

inspections and test8 should be implkented as required 

to amme acceptance of conforming and 8afe pPoduct8 or 

articles. 

Records of all te8ts conducted 8hauld be maintained. 

(9) Materials Review. A material8 review 8y8tem prmi&s theheans 

to : 

(a) Control the identification, rewark, and use of nonconfonnine 

articles, including the iSO&ktiOn and Sb?~ing of unusable 

articles. 

(b) Ensure the submittal of all materal rwiew actim, which 

result in a major nmcunfomity of the product or a mador 

change in the type desie data, to FM for engineerjrrg 

approval prior to final acceptance ar &livery of affected 

pro&cts or article8. Thematerial8review8ystemi8 a 

method acceptable to the kMni8tratiafor the approval 

of minor changes lntgpe d881@‘h in lieu of mibmittingto 

the Admini8trator aqy mUtanti&* or dsscriptive data 

(Ref. FAR 21.95) includbg manufacturing emam 
(c) Proddo fx corrective action wi th regard to discrepancies 

in manufacturing procedures, processes, designs, or any 

other condition which caused the nonconforming articles, to 

ensure that all affected and subsequent products will be in 

conformity with the type design. 

(d) H1intrin charts OY records to show the effectiveness of the 

corrective action program and to reveal problem areas as 

they arise. 

(10) Storage and Issuance, A storage and irrurnce rystem would 

ensure: 

(a) That only those articles which @re identified AS having 

passed company inspection are received into stoyes. 

(b) Identification, l gregation, md protection of articles in 

storage. 

(c) Periodic reinspection and disposition of materials subject 

to deterioration from prolonged storege. 

(d) Protecti on from damage of articles being delivered to 

fabrication OY shipping areas OY while stored in these 

areas prior to use. 

(e) Incorporation of applicable design changes prior to Y 

of 8tored articles for installation in the product. 

(11) Airworthiness Certification. 

(a). The usual practice is to record all inspections and tests 

required to be conducted during manufacture of the articles/ 

final product, and to retain tho8e rignifica?nt records 

attesting to the conformity and rrfcty of the completed 

article/product for a period of at ler8t two years. 

(b) The effectiveness of the control exercised throughout the 

manufacturing cycle to ensure that quality objectives have 

been met i8 ultimately determined by the final assembly 

md teat Inspections. h Acceptable quality Control rystem 

would, therefort, incorporate final rsrcrnbly md test pro- 

%edure8 to L1IIIUYt that: 

PAge 10 

1 bch completed product is rubjected to l final inspection 

- for eOWleteness, adjustments, safety calibration, 

markings, placards, etc., in rccordance with the 

l pplicable’configuration of the Approved design data 

for the product and model involved. Also, *that each 

PIY 9 
2 Tht mtms pxovidtd for levtling an aircraft art 

l ccurattly instrlltd, and that the empty wtight and 

ctnttr of gravity of each completed eircraf t wu 

accurattly dtttmiatd. Tht holdtr of a production cmtificate my suhit, for ?M considttation, a proposal 

based on a rtbiabft statistical plan and svidtnct of 

product uniformity, if he dtsiriks to utilizt an avtrap 

tmpty weight am! center of gravity, in Lftu of weighing 

trch aircrsf t. 

3 The aircraft tquipmtnt list and, whtn applicablt, 

loading charts and itastmctfom are accuratt. 

(c) Functional ttsts of each completed product art conducted to 

dtttmint whtthtr the optrating characttristics mutt the 

l pprovtd design provlsbons. l$xamplts of tht type of ttsts 

gtntrally found to be acctptablt art as follows: 

1 Each compltttd aircraft would bt subjtcttd to a flight 

ttst in l ccordanct with flight ttst proctdurts and 

chtckoff lists dtvtloped from optration characttristics 

and data which wtrt found to comply with tht applicable 

airworthiness regulations during tht typt ttst tvaluation 

program, and approvtd as a part of tht quality control 

data. 

2 Exctpt as noted in subparagraph d btlow, each 

compltttd. tngine would bt rubjtct;h to a ttst run, 

including: 

& Brtak-in to determint that engine operating paramtttrs 

m as sptcifi’td in tht typt dtsign data. 

b Inttmal inspection fe atctssary to dettmine that 

- tht engine is in condition fbr shaft operation. Tht 

degrtt of such lnsptction mry be bastd on a 

statistical sampling plan, tvidtirct of product 

uniformity, a satlsfactery history of prtvious 

internal inspections, and stmict txperitnct. 

c Dett’rarination of ttst instrrsanintation and power/ 

- thrust absorption dtvkts, toltran&s and correction 

to tnsurt that no production tngint can bt dtlivcrtd 

with less than its type ctrtificatcd rated power/ 

thrust. 

Par 9 Page 11 
AC 214B Ii/lo/76 

2 Test fbrfng of 8 sufficient number of rocket 

engines, selected from production lots in 

rccordrncc with .rtrtisticrl aunpllng plans 

included in the mrnufrcturcr’r quality control 

data, which, together with the clore control 

of mrtcrirls l d pxmcesses, would enswe that 

each enginc’ln the lot functions properly and 

developed its rated thrust for the time specified 

in the approved type dtsign data. 

e Each completed variable pitch propeller would be 

functionally tested to determine that it operates 

freely and smoothly throughout the normal range 

of operation, with maximum rnd minimum operating 

forces alternately applied, accordhg to design 

and installrtion requirements. 

3 A system to control the packing, preservation, and 

condition of spare articles incorporates procedures 

which ensure that: 

Spare articles conform to applicable type design 

data and hwe not exceeded their shelf-life 

limits. 

PY~OY to shipment of spare articles, all required : 

modifications are rccomplished In accordance with ’ 

applicable design changes. 

Spare articles rre lubricated, preserved, and 

packed in a manner to preclude corrosion OY 

damage in shipment, especially internal damage 

not readily detectable by fnspection for condition * 

upon receipt. 

4 Hajor assemblies and components, comprising a complete 

- rfrcrrft, mnufrctured under (L production certificate 

may be exported plcior to final rssembly, inspection, 

end flight test in rccorduxc with FAR 21.325(b), 

providing the holder of the production certificate 

has estrbl%shed FM-approved assembly and flight 

test procedures; and the extent of disassembly is 

the 8-e as an aircraft which has been disassembled 

for l hipmcnt pamposes. 

Page 12 Par 9 
S/10/76 ,' AC a-a~ 

2 Completed products are considered to be subm.%tted for 

airworthiness certllficationora=Wwhenanangine 

or propeller Is released for shipant, or Sn the case 

of an aircraft9 wh0n any one of the foIl&xlng documents 

asapplicab3eo is wapl&& dated, sfgpled, and 

submitted to an FAA repmamtative~ 

p conformity ctzrtificate - Iailltary Aimmat, 

FM Form 81-e 

g Application for IRqxwti tZurtWcate of Almmrtm~s~ 

PAMonn81+1. 

(12) &m&e Difficulties. A totally titepated Qrrality control 

system would include the means of recordiqgb investigating 

cause9 and asmring corrective action on all kmmn or reported 

failures, malfimctions, and defects, lncludfng procedures9 as 

applicable to each particular mmufacturer, to ensure that: 

(a) Semdce problems are lmmrrtigked and prompt wective 

action is taken on all affected pmducts as appropriate. 

(b) Users of the product me informed of sexvice difficulties 

and resultant Ftippxwed changes to the type design in 

accordance with FAR 21.99 rmwts. 

(c) Feedback on service problems Is received from users of 

the prodllcts 

. 

(d) Req@remnts 

report- of 

satisfied. 

to the &tent practicable. 

of FAR 21.3 and FAR 37.17 relative to tb 

certa%nmalhvlctions anddefectsare 

lo. FAR 21,llJ - CHANGES IN THE QUJUJITY oom!RoL sYsm. 

a, An acceptable means of compliance with the notification rqulmnents 

of this regulation is to notify the district office of changes 

sailing within the . scope of thu re&lllation. 

b. Whenever changes tn thequality cozztrolsyutemresultinthe 

kecessity for revision of the quality control data, an acceptable 

mans for obtainkgappovalof mchrevisimswouldbeto provide, 

with the notification, lptied quality co&r61 data or supplementaq 

infmnatlmasmayberecpiredforrwiewaord a~ovalbythe 

district office. 
AC 21-D 5/10 

c. A change in suppliers or in the delegations of quality functions to 

suppliers may or may not result in changes to tht production certificate holdtrs approved quality control data and tyttan. tJhtn it dots, 

FAR 21.147 rtquires tht holder to imntdiately notify tht FM in 

writing, of any changt whith may affect the inspection, conformity, 

OT aintorthiness of the product, and in ordtr to comply with FAR 21. 

165(a), an FM evaluation and approval will be necessary under 

FAR 21,143(a). When it does not, FAR 21.143(b) requires merely 

that information regarding such changes or delegations be made available to the FAA. For the foregoing reasogs, an applicant for, OY 

holder of, a production certificate is advised to submit quality 

control data which fully describes the controls which he will use 

to establish and control all supplier furnished articles or services, 

including general information on any type certificate or production 

certificate data, purchase orders B procurement specifications, etc., 

with which the supplier must comply. 

11 0 FAR 21.151-PRODUCTIOS LIMITATION RECORD. The production certificate 

may not always authorize production of every model listed on the type 

certificate. The production lfrnitation record (PLR) is the only means 

provided by the regulations for denoting each specific product; therefore, the FM will list on the PLR, in addition to the type certificate, each model authorized for manufacturrt under the production 

certificate, and the date of such authorization. 

12 0 FAR 21.1534MENDMENT OF THE PRODUCTION CERTIFICATE. 

B. Application to amend a productibn certificate is umde in the mne 

fom and manner as the original issue, except that only changes to 

the existing quality control data need be submitted, when production 

of the new product involves changes in the quality control system. 

If no chsnges in the quality control data are required, the situation should be documented by letter to the district office. 

b 0 Since a production certificate may be unended for reveral different 

purposes, the following paragraphs provide 4 &am@les as to methbdj 

applicable in differing circumstances: 

(1) The holder of a production certificate mry make application to 

add a new type ‘certificate, new mdtl, OY a ,upplanental type 

certificate (STC) to his production certificate. ‘Upon evaluation and approval of the quality control data and mnufrcturing 

facilities, as applicable, the FM will irrue a l perseding 

production limi tatfon record, which rutomaticrlly cancel8 the 

existing one, except that STCs which ate referenced in, and 

become a part of the approved typt design da&will not be 

listed on the production limitation record. 

Page 14 Par 10 
(2) When production of completed products as well as apars 

articles has ceased, the holder of a production certificate 

should rquest deletion of the applicable type certificate 

from his production limi trtion record by a letter to the 

regional office. A revised production lkitaticm record will 

be issued, and the iuperseded production flmitation record 

would be cancelled. 

(3) If the h o ld er of a production certificate C~ANM to manufacture complete products e but continues to manufacture spare 

articles, his production limitation record doea not require 

an amendment 

13 0 pm 21, 1374NSPECTION AND TEST. Following the issuance of the production certificate, the FM will maiatutn periodic rurveiffmce of 

the production facilities and quality control system, by the use of 

a Quality Assurance Systmns Analysis Review (QASAR) program. The 

QASAR program is a systans analysis by an inspection team of the 

manufacturer’s complete quality control system. If an inspection or 

test conducted by such an inspection tam discloses that any part of the 

data or system whkh was originally approved does not fully meet the 

applicable requirements, the FM will request changes to the quality 

control system or data AS may be required. 

a. The FM considers any evidence of inspection approval placed on 

inspection records, test reports, or physical articles as 

documentation that the article, process, or manufacturing operation has been accepted by the holder of a production certificate. 

b l If an article has passed through Q point officially designated 

for inspection, the omission of any required atamps or signatures, 

which were designated to be applied at that point to the physical 

articles, inspection records, or test reports, may be considered 

as noncompliance with approved quality control data and procedures. 

lb l FUR 21.1610DISPLAY. The production limitation record is part of 

and should be displayed wlth the production certificate. The holder 

of a production certificate may make copies of the production certificate and production limitation mcord for dirplay in offices of 

outlying plants whith’are part of the main maaufactutiq facilities. 

15 0 g AR 21,163-PRIVILEGES. The holder of a production certificate may: 

a. Obtain aimvorthiness certificate8 and related approvals wit)rout 

further showing, except that the FAA may inspect products for 

conformity with the type design. 

b. Obtain the appointment of individuals in his employ as Designated 

Manufacturing WCtiOn Representatives (XXIR) fmr the purpose 

of issuing airworthiness certifkatea and related rrpprovala. 

(Ref. FAR, Part 183). 

PAr l2 Page 15 
AC n-19 5/10/76 

c. Apply for Delegation Option Authorization (DOA), if the product he 

* is producing qualifies under FAR 21.231. 

16 0 FAR 21.1650RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HOLDER. 

a. The holder of a production certificate has a basic responsibility 

for controlling the manufacture of cowleted products and spare 

articles in conformity with his FM-approved quality Control data 

and type design requirments. Al though this xwpmsibility never 

changes, he my be relieved of some of the burden of inspection and 

testing duties when he: 

(1) Uses other type certificated product or products manufactured 

under another person’s production certificate, or which bear 

an FM Ainmrthiness Approval Tag, FAA Form 8130-3. 

(2) Uses articles produced under an FM TSO authorization. 

(3) Installs used articles that confom to the type design. 

(4) Uses articles fabricated under an FM Parts Manufacturing 

Approva 1. 

(5) Delegates specific inspection and testing duties to suppliers. 

(a) The holder of a production certificate may be relieved of 

some of the burden of inspection and testing when these f 

functions are delegated to a supplier. However, the 

production certificate holder remains responsible for 

controlling the design, physical configuration, operating 

condition of the articles of products furnished by such a 

supplier. All changes made by a supplier, to the design 

OY the physical product OY article, must be mabmitted to 

the holder of the production certificrtc for evaluation 

and approval as applicable under FAR 21, Subpart D. Thus, 

the holder of a production certificate. is responsible for 

obtaining FM approval of mrterirls review rctions OY 

other design changes including those made to rupplier 

furnished articles which weie not designed OY manufactured 

by him rnd’would also result in a change to his type 

design data or to his products. 

(b) A rupplicr who holds an FM production approval, PC, APB, 

PMA, TSOA, or FM Repair Strtion Certificrtc is also 

responsible when articles OY services furnirhed by him, to 

the production approval holder: 

Page 16 Par 15 
5/10/76 AC 21-18 

1 Do n&conform to his (the mapplier’s) FM-approved 

- design data; 

2 Were not manufactured or overhauled in accordance 

- with the supplier’s P&-approved, quality control 

data or repair station inspection procedures manual; 

OY 

3 Contain any defects which normally would not be found 

- by the manufacturer in conducting his receiving 

inspections and functional tests and which would result 

in an unsafe product. 

A. FERRARESE 

Acting Director, Flight Standards Service 

Par 16 Page 17