What is the FAA's source for the type designators they use in IACRA? When using the FAA's IACRA system, an online portal used for creating applications for the issuance of a rating, you often have to choose an aircraft type to meet qualifications or to set which aircraft you'll be using during a practical test. When selecting aircraft in IACRA the type designators are different from what I'm used to. For example, a Cessna 172 K model's type designator in my experience is C172K, but in IACRA it's CE-172K. The Beechcraft Sierra would normally be B24R, but it's something like BE-23-BE24R in IACRA.

Where is the FAA coming up with these type designators they're using in IACRA?
Try this.

This is the FAA's Type Certification Data Base, which lists all type certificates issued by the FAA.

Note:  this only covers certified aircraft and not experimental or homebuilts.

http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgMakeModel.nsf/Frameset?OpenPage