What a release certificate is for
An aircraft part is only useful if you can prove where it came from and what was done to it. A release certificate is the document that carries that proof. It ties a specific part, identified by part number and serial or batch number, to an organisation that has declared it airworthy for the work described.
The two certificates buyers meet most often are the FAA Form 8130-3 (Authorized Release Certificate, also called an Airworthiness Approval Tag) and the EASA Form 1 (Authorised Release Certificate). Both serve the same purpose. They are issued under different authorities and follow different layouts.
How they differ in practice
- Issuing authority: the 8130-3 is an FAA form, issued by the FAA or an organisation it has approved. The EASA Form 1 is issued by organisations approved under EASA rules.
- Where you will see them: US-regulated operators and repair stations usually expect the 8130-3. European and many other operators and maintenance organisations usually expect the EASA Form 1.
- Work covered: both state whether the item is new, overhauled, repaired, inspected, tested or modified. The wording and the box it appears in differ, so read what is actually declared rather than assuming.
- Acceptance across borders: aviation authorities have bilateral arrangements that allow certain releases to be accepted on the other side, with conditions. Those conditions change, so always confirm with your own authority or maintenance organisation.
When a dual release helps
A dual release means the paperwork satisfies both systems, so the part can move between fleets or be sold on without being re-certified. If you lease aircraft, work across registries or may resell the part later, a dual release removes a common source of delay.
What to check before you accept a part
- The part number on the form matches the part number on the part and on your purchase order.
- The serial or batch number matches the part in your hands, character for character.
- The status or work performed matches what you ordered (new is not the same as overhauled).
- The remarks field mentions any limitations, life-limited data, or repair details you need.
- The issuing organisation is genuinely approved to certify that work, and the form is signed and dated.
- The paperwork traces back to the production approval holder or a documented chain of custody.
Ask before you buy
The simplest habit is also the best one: state the release you need on the request. A reputable supplier confirms it before quoting, not after the part has shipped. If a supplier cannot tell you which release a part carries, treat that as a warning sign.
This guide is general information, not regulatory advice. Your continuing airworthiness manager or regulator has the final say on what your operation can accept.