14 CFR § 21.175 - Airworthiness certificates: classification.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t14/s21.175"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "14 CFR § 21.175 - Airworthiness certificates: classification."
title_number: 14
title_name: "Aeronautics and Space"
section_number: "21.175"
section_name: "Airworthiness certificates: classification."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "AIRCRAFT"
part_number: "21"
part_name: "CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES FOR PRODUCTS AND ARTICLES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "42 U.S.C. 7572; 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40105, 40113, 44701-44702, 44704, 44707, 44709, 44711, 44713, 44715, 45303."
cfr_part: "21"
---


# 21.175 Airworthiness certificates: classification.

(a) Standard airworthiness certificates are airworthiness certificates issued for aircraft type certificated:

(1) In the normal, utility, acrobatic, commuter, or transport category;

(2) As manned free balloons; or

(3) As special classes of aircraft.

(b) Special airworthiness certificates are airworthiness certificates issued for:

(1) Aircraft type-certificated in the primary, restricted, provisional, or limited category;

(2) Aircraft certificated in the light-sport category;

(3) Aircraft operating for an experimental purpose; or

(4) Aircraft operating under a special flight permit.

[Docket No. FAA-2023-1377, Amdt. 21-109, 90 FR 35205, July 24, 2025]