Plain English Meaning
It is the FAA's official record of how an aircraft model was built and approved to fly — the limits and equipment that make it legal and safe.
Full Definition
The official FAA-approved specifications for a particular aircraft model, recorded on a Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS). It lists the design limits and configuration details under which the aircraft was certified, including approved engines, propellers, weight limits, center of gravity range, fuel and oil requirements, control surface movement limits, and any operating limitations.
Context Anchor
Seen in maintenance and preventive maintenance discussions when checking whether a part, adjustment, or matches what is approved for that aircraft model.