This specification covers airworthiness design criteria for aeroplane handling characteristics in flight and on ground and water. The applicant for a design approval shall seek the individual guidance of their respective civil aviation authority (CAA) body concerning the use of this specification as part of a certification plan.

General requirements address general control forces such as takeoff, climb, level flight and descent; longitudinal control; directional and lateral control; minimum control speed; aerobatic maneuvers; control during landings; elevator control force in maneuvers; trim and stability requirements; ground and water handling characteristics; high speed characteristics; and vibration and buffeting.

1.1 This specification addresses the airworthiness requirements for aeroplane handling characteristics in flight and on ground and water.

1.2 The material was developed through open consensus of international experts in general aviation. This information was created by focusing on Normal Category aeroplanes; however, the content may be more broadly applicable, and should not be unduly limited. The topics covered within this specification are: Flight Characteristics, Trim Requirements, Stability Requirements, Ground and Water Handling Characteristics, Vibration and Buffet, and High Speed Characteristics.

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 specification (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). Annex A1 maps the Means of Compliance of the ASTM standards to EASA CS-23, amendment 5, or later, and FAA 14 CFR Part 23, amendment 64, or later, rules.

1.4 Units—This specification 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.