Plain English Meaning
A temporary permission that lets a new aircraft type be flown for limited reasons while the FAA is still working through its full approval.
Full Definition
An FAA airworthiness certificate issued for an aircraft that has a provisional type certificate, authorizing operation for specific limited purposes — such as flight testing, crew training, market surveys, or demonstration — while the aircraft type is still being evaluated for full certification.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft certification and airworthiness discussions, especially when learning what documents make an aircraft legal to operate.
Derivation
Provisional comes from the Latin providere, meaning 'to provide for' or 'arrange in advance.' In law and certification it means 'temporary, pending approval.' That captures it exactly: the aircraft is for now, with full approval still in progress.