Definition
The performance values an engine produced on a test stand, under standard atmospheric conditions, when it left the factory. These values — typically rated horsepower, RPM, and manifold pressure — are stamped on a small metal plate (the dataplate) attached to the engine and serve as the official baseline against which the engine's later performance is measured.
Plain English
The original factory numbers showing how much power the engine made when it was new, recorded on a small metal tag fixed to the engine itself.
Context Anchor
Seen during aircraft maintenance, inspections, engine or propeller identification, logbook checks, and parts replacement.
Derivation
‘Dataplate’ is simply ‘data’ (information) on a ‘plate’ (a small metal tag). The plate is the physical marker; the specifications are the numbers stamped on it.
Why Pilots Care
Keeps maintenance and operations inside the engine's approved limits for continued airworthiness.
Intuition Check
Do not read “specifications” here as general description or marketing information. In this context, dataplate specifications are the official identification and limit information for that installed aviation item.
Example Sentence 1
After the overhaul, the mechanic ran the engine and confirmed it was meeting its dataplate specifications.
Example Sentence 2
Any repair must stay within the dataplate specifications for maximum continuous RPM.