Definition
An official FAA document that permits a specific flight operation to be conducted under conditions that would otherwise not comply with one or more standard Federal Aviation Regulations. The certificate sets out the special provisions, limitations, and safety requirements under which the operation is approved.
Plain English
A written FAA permission slip that lets you do something the rules normally don't allow, as long as you follow the conditions listed on it.
Context Anchor
Seen when an operation needs FAA approval beyond normal everyday flying, such as certain drone operations, special events, or flights with special limits.
Derivation
Waiver comes from Old French weyver, meaning 'to give up' or 'set aside' -- here, the FAA is setting aside a specific rule. Authorization simply means 'official permission.' The combined name reflects that the document either waives a rule or authorizes an exception.
Why Pilots Care
It provides the legal basis to conduct otherwise prohibited operations safely.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as a pilot certificate. It is not a license to be a pilot; it is written FAA permission for a specific operation, with specific conditions.
Example Sentence 1
The airshow organizer obtained a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization from the FAA before the aerobatic demonstration could be flown below the normal minimum altitudes.
Example Sentence 2
A Certificate of Waiver or Authorization allowed the mission to proceed within approved limits.