Definition
An aircraft that has been issued an airworthiness certificate by the FAA, certifying that it conforms to its approved type design and is in a condition for safe operation.
Plain English
An aircraft that the FAA has officially approved as built correctly and safe to fly, and has issued the paperwork to prove it.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft records, maintenance discussions, FAA rules, and questions about whether an aircraft may legally be flown.
Derivation
From the Latin 'certificatus,' meaning 'made certain' or 'attested.' A certificated aircraft is one whose airworthiness has been formally attested to by the issuing authority.
Why Pilots Care
Only certificated aircraft may be legally flown in most U.S. operations; flying without a current certificate can ground the aircraft and create liability.
Intuition Check
Certificated does not mean the aircraft is automatically safe today. It means the FAA has issued the required approval; the aircraft still has to be maintained, inspected, and in proper condition for flight.
Example Sentence 1
Before each flight, the pilot confirmed the aircraft was certificated and that the airworthiness certificate was displayed in the cabin as required.
Example Sentence 2
Rental companies only offer certificated aircraft for student training flights.