Definition
Officially approved by the Federal Aviation Administration as meeting all required standards for design, manufacture, performance, or operation. Applied to aircraft, engines, propellers, parts, repair stations, mechanics, pilots, and instructors that have passed FAA review and been issued the appropriate certificate.
Plain English
The FAA has formally checked it and issued a certificate confirming it meets the rules. If something or someone is FAA-certificated, it has the FAA's official stamp of approval to be used or to operate.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA handbooks when discussing approved aircraft, engines, parts, mechanics, pilots, schools, or maintenance organizations.
Derivation
From 'certificate,' rooted in Latin 'certus' meaning 'sure' or 'settled.' To certificate something is to formally make its compliance with the rules a settled, documented fact. The FAA prefix specifies which authority did the certifying.
Why Pilots Care
Using only FAA-certificated engines and parts ensures the aircraft remains airworthy and legal to fly under FAA regulations.
Intuition Check
FAA-certificated does not mean simply experienced, recommended, or trained. It means the FAA has issued the required certificate for that specific role or use.
Example Sentence 1
Only an FAA-certificated mechanic with the appropriate ratings can sign off the engine inspection.
Example Sentence 2
Only FAA-certificated pilots are authorized to act as pilot in command of aircraft operating under Part 91 rules.