Plain English Meaning

Type design is the official, FAA-approved blueprint of an aircraft model. It describes exactly how that model must be built and configured to be considered airworthy.

Full Definition

The approved design of an aircraft type, including the drawings, specifications, dimensions, materials, processes, airworthiness limitations, and any other data needed to define the aircraft's configuration and characteristics for compliance with applicable airworthiness standards. The type design is the technical baseline approved by the FAA when a Type Certificate is issued.

Context Anchor

Seen in FAA certification discussions, especially when the handbook explains how the FAA approves aircraft designs and later determines whether an aircraft is airworthy.