Contents of an Air Carrier Certificate or Operating Certificate

This regulation specifies what information must appear on an Air Carrier Certificate or Operating Certificate issued by the FAA. Every certificate must include five basic elements: the certificate holder's legal name, the location where they base their principal operations, a unique certificate number assigned by the FAA, the date the certificate becomes effective, and identification of the FAA Flight Standards office responsible for oversight.

In practical terms, this standardizes what you'll find on any air carrier or commercial operator certificate. If you're working for or evaluating a commercial operator, you can verify their legitimacy by checking these details on their certificate. The responsible Flight Standards office designation tells you which FAA office handles that operator's certification and surveillance activities. This information is essential for regulatory compliance, insurance purposes, and confirming an operator's authority to conduct specific commercial aviation operations.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*