Is the STC owner the same as the TC holder?
The owner of an STC (Supplemental Type Certificate) does not have to be the same as the Type Certificate (TC) holder.
Key Differences:
Type Certificate (TC) Holder: The TC holder is the original manufacturer or entity responsible for the design and airworthiness of an aircraft, engine, or component when it is first certified. Examples include Boeing, Airbus, or Cessna.
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) Holder: The STC holder can be any company, organization, or individual who develops a modification to an aircraft, engine, or component that is approved by the FAA or EASA. This modification does not need to be carried out by the original manufacturer (TC holder).
In fact, STCs are often held by third-party companies that specialize in aftermarket modifications, such as avionics upgrades, engine retrofits, or structural changes, and they apply for STCs independently of the original manufacturer.
Example:
-Boeing may hold the Type Certificate for a Boeing 737.
-A third-party company, like Aviation Partners, may develop and hold an STC for adding winglets to the Boeing 737, without being the original manufacturer.
Thus, the STC holder and TC holder are often different entities.
#STC #MODIFICATION #AIRCRAFTMAINTENANCE
REF :
FAA 14 CFR PART 21
EASA PART 21