Which type certificate is appropriate where an aircraft substantially complies with the applicable flight characteristic requirements for a type certificate?

The Provisional Type Certificate is appropriate for an aircraft that has substantially complied with the applicable flight characteristic requirements for a type certificate. This type of certificate allows for the aircraft to be operated under certain conditions while additional testing or data is collected to demonstrate full compliance with the regulations. This is particularly useful when the aircraft is close to meeting the standards but may not yet possess all the required data or testing outcomes for a full certificate.

In contrast, a Standard Type Certificate signifies that an aircraft has fully met all required standards and regulations, making it fully operational without restrictions. A Restricted Type Certificate is applicable for aircraft that are subject to specific limitations or operational conditions, often in terms of intended use. An Experimental Type Certificate is issued for aircraft that are undergoing testing or for those intended for research and development purposes, which do not conform to existing type certification requirements.

Therefore, the nature of the Provisional Type Certificate allows for temporary operation while still ensuring safety and oversight, making it the correct choice in the context of compliance with flight characteristic requirements.