An aircraft Type Certificate Data Sheet contains?

The type certificate data sheet (TCDS) is like a birth certificate, and provides a formal description of the aircraft, engine or propeller that has received type certification by the FAA. It lists limitations and information required for type certification including airspeed limits, weight limits, thrust limitations, etc.

The FAA DAR will check this document for any specific notes related to the airworthiness certification and confirm that the aircraft serial number is listed.

Aircraft Type certificate contains:

1. Issuing authority, For Example FAA, EASA
2. Certificate number
3. Type certificate Holder's name Or in other words, the design organisations name, For example Airbus, Boeing
4. The Aircraft Model
5. Certificate Application date and Issue date

First, the type certificate (TC) implies that aircraft manufactured according to the approved design can be issued an Airworthiness Certificate. Examples of regulatory authorities are the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the (European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). To meet those requirements the aircraft and each sub-assembly must also be approved. For example, in the U.S. these sub-assemblies must meet requirements in the applicable Technical Standard Order (TSO). To meet those requirements the design documents are examined for compliance with the applicable Minimum Operating Performance Standards (MOPS) applicable to that sub-assembly. MOPS are published by RTCA, Inc. When aircraft are produced to meet a given TC, each one need not be tested as rigorously but the confidence demonstrated by the TC is conferred, when the aircraft has been assigned an Airworthiness Certificate.

More specifically, it lists some equipment models for the engine and/or propeller.  An STC or Supplemental Type Certificate is required for anything different listed in the TCDS. The TCDS also have limitations listed in it to include propeller RPM limits, airspeed limitations, weight and CG limitations.  It shows where the reference datum is located and the leveling means.   The TCDS also shows the range of movements of each of the control surfaces and the tolerances and under what FAR part the aircraft was certificated under.

Sometimes the TCDS requires equipment to be operational for a specific kind of operation (Day, Night, VFR, IFR).

For example, In the USA

The TCDS is the underlying approved document that allows the airplane to fly within the United States.

Prior to airworthiness certification, the type design must be certificated by the FAA. Section603(c) of the Federal Aviation Act of1958 makes a type certificate a prerequisite for issuance of airworthiness certificates. Each government operator who wishes to determine the eligibility of its aircraft for civil operations must contact the responsible geographic Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) for assistance in seeking either.

FAA Form8110-12(10-10) APPLICATION FOR TYPE CERTIFICATE, PRODUCTION CERTIFICATE, OR SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATE

This collection of information is for the purpose of issuing a U.S. Type Certificate, Production Certificate, or Supplemental Type Certificate to any applicant meeting the criteria established in14 CFR part21.

The FAA uses the information to evaluate an applicant’s application for a U.S. Type Certificate, Production Certificate, or Supplemental Type Certificate. The information on FAA Form8110-12, Application for Type Certificate, Production Certificate, or Supplemental Type Certificate

A TCDS is solicited under the authority of49 U.S.C.44702 as implemented by14 CFR part21.