Airworthiness release documents
A release document is what turns a part in a box into a part you can install and defend in an audit. Knowing what it does and does not confirm is the difference between buying and buying correctly.
What the document confirms
An airworthiness approval tag — the FAA Form 8130-3 is the familiar example — certifies that the article conforms to its approved design and is in a condition for safe operation. Equivalent documents exist in other jurisdictions.
- FAA Form 8130-3 — airworthiness approval tag
- CAAC airworthiness approval tag — issued under the CAAC framework
- EASA Form 1 — the European release document for components
What it does not confirm
It does not confirm that the article is installable on your aircraft. Installability depends on the approved design covering your type and model, and on your approved maintenance programme. Those are separate questions from release.
It also does not make an article new, or make a repaired article equivalent to a new one. Condition is stated separately.
Checks worth making on receipt
Compare the part number, serial number where applicable and quantity on the document against the article and the packing list. A mismatch between document and article is the most common finding, and the cheapest to catch.
Sources
References are provided for orientation. The applicable revision in force at the relevant date governs; confirm against the issuing authority's current publication before relying on any statement here.