Definition
The official information published by the FAA describing the approved design, operating limitations, and certification basis of a specific aircraft type. It is recorded primarily in the Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) and tells operators what the aircraft was certified to do, including approved maneuvers, weight limits, control settings, and any specific procedures or restrictions tied to certification, such as approved spin recovery techniques.
Plain English
The official paperwork from the FAA that says exactly what an aircraft model was approved to do and how it must be operated. If a maneuver or procedure is listed there, it is approved for that aircraft; if it is not, it is not approved.
Context Anchor
In spin procedures, pilots encounter this term when checking whether a specific airplane is approved for spins and what recovery procedure or limits apply to that airplane.
Derivation
From 'type certificate,' the formal FAA approval issued for a particular aircraft design. The 'data' is the supporting record of what was approved. So 'type certification data' literally means the recorded facts about what the aircraft type was certified to do.
Why Pilots Care
Using the correct recovery method from the type certification data prevents structural damage or loss of control during intentional spin practice.
Intuition Check
Do not read “data” here as just any helpful information about an airplane. Type certification data means FAA-approved information tied to the certified design of that specific make and model.
Example Sentence 1
Before practicing spins, the instructor checked the type certification data to confirm the airplane was approved for intentional spins.
Example Sentence 2
According to the type certification data, this model requires full opposite rudder and forward stick to recover from a developed spin.