Definition
Approved by the FAA as conforming to a specific design (the 'type design') that has been shown to meet all applicable airworthiness standards. An aircraft, engine, or propeller that is type certificated has received a Type Certificate from the FAA, confirming the design itself is safe and legal for its intended category of operation.
Plain English
The FAA has officially approved this design as safe and legal to fly. Every aircraft built to that approved design inherits that approval, as long as it stays built and maintained the way the design says.
Context Anchor
Seen when reading about the FAA’s role in approving aircraft designs, aircraft categories, and whether an airplane is eligible for normal training or operation.
Derivation
Type' refers to a specific design or model of aircraft. 'Certificated' (from Latin 'certificare,' to make certain) means formally approved in writing. Together: a design that has been formally approved by the regulator.
Why Pilots Care
Only type-certificated aircraft may be operated under standard airworthiness certificates; using a non-type-certificated design violates regulations and voids insurance coverage.
Intuition Check
Do not read type certificated as “this exact airplane is safe to fly right now.” It means the model’s design has FAA approval; the individual airplane still has to be maintained and inspected properly.
Example Sentence 1
Most general aviation airplanes are type certificated, which means any modification must be approved by the FAA before the aircraft can fly again.
Example Sentence 2
A new light-sport model must complete flight testing and receive a type certificate before it can be sold as type certificated.