What is a Supplemental Type Certificate?

What is a Supplemental Type Certificate?

• A. An approval issued by the FAA for a modification to a type-certificated airframe, engine, or propeller.
• B. A permit for experimental flight with modified components.
• C. A temporary airworthiness certificate.
• D. An amendment to the pilot's license.

Answer: (A)

A Supplemental Type Certificate is the FAA approval for a major modification to a type-certificated airframe, engine, or propeller. It confirms the modification meets applicable airworthiness standards and updates the type certificate data sheet to reflect the new configuration. The STC is specific to the aircraft model or serial number and provides the approved installation data, so the modification can be legally installed and operated. Other options don’t fit because a permit for experimental flight is for experimental-category operations, not modifying a certified aircraft; a temporary airworthiness certificate covers short-term or special-flight authorizations, not a modification approval; and an amendment to a pilot’s license has to do with pilot credentials, not aircraft configurations.

A Supplemental Type Certificate is the FAA approval for a major modification to a type-certificated airframe, engine, or propeller. It confirms the modification meets applicable airworthiness standards and updates the type certificate data sheet to reflect the new configuration. The STC is specific to the aircraft model or serial number and provides the approved installation data, so the modification can be legally installed and operated.

Other options don’t fit because a permit for experimental flight is for experimental-category operations, not modifying a certified aircraft; a temporary airworthiness certificate covers short-term or special-flight authorizations, not a modification approval; and an amendment to a pilot’s license has to do with pilot credentials, not aircraft configurations.