4.1 This practice provides one means for determining the aeroplane structural loads for flight, control surfaces, and control systems. This practice satisfies the simplified loads requirements set forth in Specification F3116 for Normal Category Aeroplanes.

1.1 This practice provides an acceptable means of meeting the airworthiness requirements for the flight design loads and conditions of small normal category level 1 and 2 aeroplanes. The material was developed through open consensus of international experts in general aviation. This information was created by focusing on Normal Category aeroplanes. The content may be more broadly applicable; it is the responsibility of the applicant to substantiate broader applicability as a specific means of compliance. The topics covered within this practice are: Simplified Design Load Criteria, Acceptable Methods for Control Surface Loads Calculations, Acceptable Methods for Primary Control System Loads Calculations, and Control Surface Loading (Level 1 Aeroplanes).

1.2 This practice is applicable to normal category, low-speed, level 1 and 2 aeroplanes. Use of the term aeroplane used throughout this practice will mean “normal category, low-speed, level 1 or 2 aeroplane,” unless otherwise stated.

1.3 An applicant intending to propose this information as means of compliance for a design approval must seek guidance from their respective oversight authority (for example, published guidance from applicable CAAs) concerning the acceptable use and application thereof. For information on which oversight authorities have accepted this standard (in whole or in part) as an acceptable means of compliance to their regulatory requirements (hereinafter “the Rules”), refer to the ASTM Committee F44 web page (www.astm.org/COMMITTEE/F44.htm).

1.4 This document may present information in either SI units, English Engineering units, or both. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.