This specification covers airworthiness requirements for the design loads and conditions of small airplanes, and is applicable to small airplanes as defined in the F44 terminology standard. The applicant for a design approval must seek individual guidance from their respective civil aviation authority (CAA) body concerning the use of this specification as part of a certification plan.

The requirements cover: flight loads including air, ground, and water loads; flight load factors; symmetrical and unsymmetrical flight conditions; limit maneuvering load factors; gust load factors; design fuel loads; rolling and yawing conditions; pressurized cabin loads; unsymmetrical loads due to engine failure; maneuvering loads for horizontal surfaces; and gust loads for horizontal surfaces. Also addressed in this specification are design airspeeds, engine mount loads, and flight control loads.

1.1 This specification addresses the airworthiness requirements for the design loads and conditions of small airplanes.

1.2 This specification is applicable to small airplanes as defined in the F44 terminology standard. Use of the term airplane is used throughout this specification and will mean “small airplane.”

1.3 The applicant for a design approval must seek individual guidance from their respective CAA body concerning the use of this standard as part of a certification plan. For information on which CAA regulatory bodies have accepted this standard (in whole or in part) as a means of compliance to their Small Airplane Airworthiness Rules (hereinafter referred to as “the Rules”), refer to ASTM F44 webpage (www.ASTM.org/COMMITTEE/F44.htm) which includes CAA website links.

1.4 Units—Currently there is a mix of SI and Imperial units. In many locations, SI units have been included otherwise units are as they appear in Amendment 62 of 14 CFR Part 23. In a future revision values will be consistently stated in SI units followed by Imperial units in square brackets. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.

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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.