Definition
An FAA document titled 'Special Airworthiness Certificate' that is issued to authorize the operation of an aircraft that does not currently meet the requirements for a standard airworthiness certificate. It is used to permit specific, limited operations such as ferry flights to a maintenance base, flight testing, production flight checks, or delivery flights, with operating limitations attached.
Plain English
It is the paper certificate the FAA issues when an aircraft is not in normal airworthy condition but still needs to be flown for a specific reason — such as flying it to a shop for repairs. It states what flights are allowed and under what conditions.
Context Anchor
Seen when discussing special flight permits, ferry flights, aircraft repairs, inspections, or moving an aircraft that cannot legally make a normal flight.
Why Pilots Care
It provides the only legal way to move an aircraft that cannot obtain a standard airworthiness certificate, avoiding indefinite grounding when safe flight remains possible under restrictions.
Grounding Statement
If an aircraft cannot be flown under its normal approval but needs to be moved safely for a specific reason, FAA Form 8130-7 is the certificate that can authorize that limited flight.
Intuition Check
Do not think of FAA Form 8130-7 as just a blank application form. In this context, it is the certificate the FAA issues to authorize the special flight under stated conditions.
Example Sentence 1
After the gear damage, the owner applied for a special flight permit, and once the FAA issued FAA Form 8130-7 the aircraft could be flown to the repair facility.
Example Sentence 2
After inspection, the inspector signed FAA Form 8130-7 to allow the ferry flight to the buyer.