Definition
An official FAA document issued as part of the type certification of an aircraft, engine, or propeller, listing the specifications, operating limitations, and conditions under which the product was approved. It records details such as approved engine models, fuel grades, weight and balance limits, control surface movements, placards, and any equipment required for airworthiness.
Plain English
A formal FAA paper that says exactly what an aircraft (or engine or propeller) was approved to be and to do. It lists the limits and required equipment that make the aircraft legal to fly.
Context Anchor
Pilots and instructors may see a TCDS when checking aircraft records, approved equipment, weight limits, or other official aircraft information.
Derivation
From 'type certificate' — the FAA's approval of a particular design type — plus 'data sheet,' meaning the page that records the approved details. The name reflects exactly what it is: the data sheet for the type certificate.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots must follow the weight, speed, and equipment limits in the TCDS to keep the aircraft airworthy and within legal operating standards.
Intuition Check
A TCDS is not the same thing as a checklist or a pilot’s operating handbook. It is an FAA approval record for the aircraft design, not a step-by-step flying guide.
Example Sentence 1
Before approving the engine swap, the mechanic checked the TCDS to confirm the new engine model was approved for that airframe.
Example Sentence 2
During the annual inspection the mechanic verified that all modifications complied with the TCDS requirements.