Final answer:
A Special Certificate of Airworthiness (Special CofA) is issued to an aircraft that does not meet all of the requirements for a Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA). It is usually issued for testing or experimental flight operations.
Step-by-step explanation:
A Special Certificate of Airworthiness (Special CofA) is issued to an aircraft that does not meet all of the requirements for a Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA). Unlike a regular CofA, a Special CofA is issued under certain conditions for specific purposes, such as testing or experimental flight operations.
For example, an aircraft undergoing modifications that deviate from the standard requirements may be issued a Special CofA to allow it to perform limited flight testing. Another scenario is when an aircraft is modified or operated under experimental conditions and doesn't meet all the necessary criteria for a regular CofA, but it still meets the standards for safe flight operations under specific limitations.