Definition
A formal designation given by the FAA Administrator (or an authorized representative) indicating that an aircraft, component, material, procedure, person, or organization has been examined and found to meet the applicable airworthiness, operational, or regulatory standards.
Plain English
Officially accepted by the FAA as meeting the required standards. When something is 'approved,' the FAA has checked it and signed off that it is acceptable for use.
Context Anchor
Seen in regulations, aircraft records, maintenance documents, equipment requirements, checklists, and operating procedures.
Derivation
From the Latin 'approbare,' meaning 'to assent to as good.' In aviation, the everyday sense of 'I like it' is replaced by a formal regulatory sense: a specific authority has officially accepted it.
Why Pilots Care
Only approved parts, data, or procedures may be used without risking airworthiness violations or grounding the aircraft.
Intuition Check
Approved does not simply mean good, preferred, or commonly used. In aviation, it means officially accepted by the proper authority for a specific purpose.
Example Sentence 1
The mechanic could only use FAA-approved parts when overhauling the engine.
Example Sentence 2
All repairs must be performed using approved data listed in the maintenance manual.