Aircraft Inspection... Type Certificate Data Sheets

 The type certificate data sheet (TCDS) describes the type design and sets forth the limitations prescribed by the applicable CFR part. It also includes any other limitations and information found necessary for type certification of a particular model aircraft.
Type certificate data sheets are numbered in the upper right-hand corner of each page. This number is the same as the type certificate number.
The name of the type certificate holder, together with all of the approved 8-5 models, appears immediately below the type certificate number. The issue date completes this group. This information is contained within a bordered text box to set it off.

The data sheet is separated into one or more sections. Each section is identified by a Roman numeral followed by the model designation of the aircraft to which the section pertains.

The category or categories in which the aircraft can be certificated are shown in parentheses following the model number. Also included is the approval date shown on the type certificate. The data sheet contains information regarding:
 1. Model designation of all engines for which the aircraft manufacturer obtained approval for use with this model aircraft.
2. Minimum fuel grade to be used.
 3. Maximum continuous and takeoff ratings of the approved engines, including manifold pressure (when used), rpm, and horsepower (hp).
 4. Name of the manufacturer

and model designation for each propeller for which the aircraft manufacturer obtained approval will be shown together with the propeller limits and any operating restrictions peculiar to the propeller or propeller engine combination.
 5. Airspeed limits in both mph and knots.
6. Center of gravity range for the extreme loading conditions of the aircraft is given in inches from the datum. The range may also be stated in percent of MAC (Mean Aerodynamic Chord) for transport category aircraft.
7. Empty weight center of gravity (CG) range (when established) will be given as fore and aft limits in inches from the datum. If no range exists, the word “none” will be shown following the heading on the data sheet.
 8. Location of the datum.
 9. Means provided for leveling the aircraft.
10. All pertinent maximum weights.
11. Number of seats and their moment arms.
12. Oil and fuel capacity.
13. Control surface movements.
14. Required equipment.
15. Additional or special equipment found necessary for certification.
16. Information concerning required placards. It is not within the scope of this handbook to list all the items that can be shown on the type certificate data sheets. Those items listed above serve only to acquaint aviation mechanics with the type of information generally included on the data sheets. Type certificate data sheets may be many pages in length.

. When conducting a required or routine inspection, it is necessary to ensure that the aircraft and all the major items on it are as defined in the type certificate data sheets. This is called a conformity check, and verifies that the aircraft conforms to the specifications of the aircraft as it was originally certified. Sometimes alterations are made that are not specified or authorized in the TCDS. When that condition exists, a supplemental type certificate (STC) will be issued. STCs are considered a part of the permanent records of an aircraft, and should be maintained as part of that aircraft’s logs.