What Is Supplemental Type Certificate in Aircraft Maintenance?
Supplemental Type Certificate defined for aviation professionals, with its operational or commercial use, document context and related terminology.
Definition, Documents and Application
A Supplemental Type Certificate, or STC, approves a major change to an existing type-certified product by an applicant other than the original type-certificate holder.
Aviation Glossary
Term: Supplemental Type Certificate
Category: Airworthiness & Maintenance
Where It Sits in Continuing Airworthiness
Supplemental Type Certificate forms part of the technical framework used to establish, maintain or document aircraft airworthiness. Applicability depends on aircraft type, authority, approved maintenance data and the operator's maintenance programme.
How It Is Used
Common STCs cover avionics, connectivity, cabin changes, auxiliary fuel, special-mission equipment and other modifications.
Records and Transaction Impact
Technical status must be supported by current records. Buyers, lessors, lenders and MRO organizations normally verify the applicable document, revision, compliance status and remaining maintenance exposure rather than relying on a description alone.
Related Aviation Topics
Related ACMI World coverage includes aircraft maintenance reserves, aircraft redelivery conditions, pre-purchase inspection findings, aircraft records and resale value and business jet MRO providers.
Common STCs cover avionics, connectivity, cabin changes, auxiliary fuel, special-mission equipment and other modifications.
Supplemental Type Certificate FAQ
What does Supplemental Type Certificate mean in aviation?
A Supplemental Type Certificate, or STC, approves a major change to an existing type-certified product by an applicant other than the original type-certificate holder.
Why does Supplemental Type Certificate matter?
Common STCs cover avionics, connectivity, cabin changes, auxiliary fuel, special-mission equipment and other modifications.
Where would an aviation professional encounter Supplemental Type Certificate?
It is commonly encountered in airworthiness & maintenance documents, procedures, calculations or operating discussions where the underlying technical or commercial issue is relevant.
Can technical status be accepted without supporting records?
Normally no. Airworthiness and asset-value conclusions depend on records showing applicability, compliance, release status, accumulated life and maintenance history.