AC 23-17B
SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT GUIDE FOR CERTIFICATION OF PART 23 AIRPLANES
AND AIRSHIPS
April 12, 2005
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20401 Initiated by ACE-100
FOREWORD
This Advisory Circular (AC) sets forth an acceptable means of showing compliance with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), part 23, for the certification of systems and equipment in normal, utility, acrobatic, and commuter category airplanes and airships. The policy in this AC is considered applicable for airship projects; however, the certifying office should only use specific applicability and requirements if they are determined to be reasonable, applicable and relevant to the airship project. This AC applies to Subpart D from § 23.671 and Subpart F. This AC both consolidates existing policy documents, and certain ACs that cover specific paragraphs of the regulations, into a single document and adds new guidance.
This document is intended to provide guidance for the original issue of part 23 and the various amendments. This version of the AC covers policy available through September 30, 2003. Policy that became available after September 30, 2003, will be covered in future revisions to the AC.
S/
David R. Showers Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate Aircraft Certification Service
i (ii blank)
CONTENTS
PAGE
1. PURPOSE1
2. CANCELLATION or SUPERSEDING1
3. BACKGROUND1
4. APPLICABILITY1
5. PARAGRAPHS KEYED TO PART 231
6. RELATED PUBLICATIONS1
7. RELATED 14 CFR, PART 23 REGULATIONS7
Subpart D—Design and Construction
CONTROL SYSTEMS
Section
23.671 General9
23.672 Stability augmentation and automatic and power-operated systems10
23.673 Primary flight controls11
23.675 Stops12
23.677 Trim systems13
23.679 Control system locks16
23.681 Limit load static tests18
23.683 Operation tests19
23.685 Control system details28
23.687 Spring devices29
23.689 Cable systems30
23.691 Artificial stall barrier system31
23.693 Joints34
23.697 Wing flap controls35
23.699 Wing flap position indicator36
23.701 Flap interconnection37
23.703 Takeoff warning system42
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LANDING GEAR
Section P AGE
23.721 General43
23.723 Shock absorption tests44
23.725 Limit drop tests45
23.726 Ground load dynamic tests46
23.727 Reserve energy absorption drop test47
23.729 Landing gear extension and retraction system48
23.731 W heels53
23.733 Tires54
23.735 Brakes67
23.737 Skis85
23.745 Nose/tail wheel steering86
FLOATS AND HULLS
23.751 Main float buoyancy87
23.753 Main float design88
23.755 Hulls89
23.757 Auxiliary floats90
PERSONNEL AND CARGO ACCOMMODATIONS
23.771 Pilot compartment91
23.773 Pilot compartment view92
23.775 Windshields and windows94
23.777 Cockpit controls97
23.779 Motion and effect of cockpit controls100
23.781 Cockpit control knob shape101
23.783 Doors102
23.785 Seats, berths, litters, safety belts, and shoulder harnesses105
23.787 Baggage and cargo compartments118
23.791 Passenger information signs122
23.803 Emergency evacuation123
23.805 Flight crew emergency exits124
23.807 Emergency exits125
23.811 Emergency exit marking135
23.812 Emergency lighting137
23.813 Emergency exit access138
23.815 Width of aisle139
23.831 Ventilation140
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PRESSURIZATION
Section P AGE
23.841 Pressurized cabins144
23.843 Pressurization tests149
FIRE PROTECTION
23.851 Fire extinguishers150
23.853 Passenger and crew compartment interiors151
23.855 Cargo and baggage compartment fire protection156
23.859 Combustion heater fire protection158
23.863 Flammable fluid fire protection159
23.865 Fire protection of flight controls, engine mounts, and other
flight structure160
ELECTRICAL BONDING AND LIGHTNING PROTECTION
23.867 Electrical bonding and protection against lightning and
static electricity163
MISCELLANEOUS
23.871 Leveling means165
Subpart F—Equipment
GENERAL
23.1301 Function and installation166
23.1303 Flight and navigation instruments172
23.1305 Powerplant instruments180
23.1307 Miscellaneous equipment196
23.1309 Equipment, systems, and installations198
INSTRUMENTS: INSTALLATION
23.1311 Electronic display instrument systems216
23.1321 Arrangement and visibility222
23.1322 Warning, caution, and advisory lights225
23.1323 Airspeed indicating system227
23.1325 Static pressure system230
v
Section P AGE
23.1326 Pitot heat indication systems235
23.1327 Magnetic direction indicator237
23.1329 Automatic pilot system240
23.1331 Instruments using a power source253
23.1335 Flight director systems257
23.1337 Powerplant instruments installation258
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
23.1351 General261
23.1353 Storage battery design and installation265
23.1357 Circuit protective devices270
23.1359 Electrical system fire protection272
23.1361 Master switch arrangement273
23.1365 Electric cables and equipment275
23.1367 Switches277
LIGHTS
23.1381 Instrum ent lights278
23.1383 Taxi and landing lights279
23.1385 Position light system installation280
23.1387 Position light system dihedral angles282
23.1389 Position light distribution and intensities284
23.1391 Minimum intensities in the horizontal plane of position lights285
23.1393 Minimum intensities in any vertical plane of position lights286
23.1395 Maximum intensities in overlapping beams of position lights287
23.1397 Color specifications288
23.1399 Riding light289
23.1401 Anticollision light system290
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
23.1411 General294
23.1413 Safety Belts and Harnesses [Removed]295
23.1415 Ditching equipment296
23.1416 Pneumatic de-icer boot system297
23.1419 Ice protection298
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MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT
Section P AGE
23.1431 Electronic equipment300
23.1435 Hydraulic systems304
23.1437 Accessories for multiengine airplanes306
23.1438 Pressurization and pneumatic systems307
23.1441 Oxygen equipment and supply309
23.1443 Minimum mass flow of supplemental oxygen313
23.1445 Oxygen distribution system316
23.1447 Equipment standards for oxygen dispensing units317
23.1449 Means for determining use of oxygen321
23.1450 Chemical oxygen generators322
23.1451 Fire protection for oxygen equipment323
23.1453 Protection of oxygen equipment from rupture324
23.1457 Cockpit voice recorders325
23.1459 Flight recorders326
23.1461 Equipment containing high energy rotors327
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1. PURPOSE. This Advisory Circular (AC) sets forth an acceptable means, but not the only means, of showing compliance with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), part 23, for the certification of systems and equipment in normal, utility, acrobatic, and commuter category airplanes and airships. 'The policy in this AC is considered applicable for airship projects;
however, the certifying office should only use specific applicability and requirements if they are determined to be reasonable, applicable and relevant to the airship project. This AC applies to Subpart D from § 23.671 and Subpart F. This AC both consolidates existing policy documents, and certain ACs that cover specific paragraphs of the regulations, into a single document and adds new guidance. This revision has added preamble material, in italics, under the applicable rule and amendment level. Material in this AC is neither mandatory nor regulatory in nature and does not constitute a regulation.
2. CANCELLATION or SUPERSEDING. The following AC is canceled and the policy statement is superseded as follows:
a. AC 23-17A, “Systems and Equipment Guide for Certification of Part 23 Airplanes.”
b. PS-ACE100-2002-003, “Standardization of Application of 14 CFR Part 23, § 23,1309 Regarding Hazardous Misleading Heading Information for Attitude-Heading Reference Systems.”
3. BACKGROUND. In 1968, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began an extensive review of the airworthiness standards of part 23. Since then, the regulations have been amended through amendment 23-53. These amendments have changed most of the sections of part 23.
This document is intended to provide guidance for the original issue of part 23 and the various amendments. This version of the AC covers policy available through September 30, 2003.
Policy that became available after September 30, 2003, will be covered in future revisions to the AC.
4. APPLICABILITY. This AC is applicable only to the original applicant seeking issuance of a Type Certificate (TC), an Amended Type Certificate (ATC), or a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the initial approval of the new type design or a change in the approved type design. This material is not to be construed as having any legal status and should be treated accordingly. This version of the AC covers policy available through September 30, 2003.
Policy that became available after then will be covered in future revisions to the AC.
5. PARAGRAPHS KEYED TO PART 23. Each paragraph has the applicable part 23 amendments shown in the title. As part 23 changes occur, the appropriate revisions will be made to the affected paragraphs of this AC.
6. RELATED PUBLICATIONS. These documents are provided as a quick reference source of documents that are acceptable for use in 14 CFR, part 23 certification programs/projects.
.
a. Free Policy Memorandums, Orders and ACs. Copies of current publications of the following free Orders and ACs listed below can be obtained from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Subsequent Distribution Office, Ardmore East Business Center, 3341 Q 75th Avenue, Landover, MD 20785. The website where these orders and ACs can be found is http://www.airweb.faa.gov/AC.
“PS-ACE100-2001-004, “Guidance for Reviewing Certification Plans to Address Human Factors for Certification of Part 23 Small Airplanes, August 29, 2002.
PS-ACE100-2002-002, “Installation Approval of Multi-Function Displays Using the AML STC Process; Policy Statement,” May 21, 2003.
PS-ACE100-2002-004, “Diesel Engine Installation,” May 22, 2003.
FAA Order 8110.4B, “Type Certification,” April 24, 2000.
FAA Order 8100.5A, “Aircraft Certification Service Mission, Responsibilities, Relationships, and Programs,” September 30, 2003.
FAA Order 8110.42A, “Parts Manufacturer Approval Procedures,” March 31, 1999.
AC 20-30B, “Aircraft Position Light and Anticollision Light Installations,” July 20, 1981.
AC 20-36S, “Index of Articles (Materials, Parts, Processes and Appliances) Certified Under the Technical Standard Order System,” October 1, 1993.
AC 20-41A, “Substitute Technical Standard Order (TSO) Aircraft Equipment,” April 5, 1977.
AC 20-42C, “Hand Fire Extinguishers for Use in Aircraft”, March 7, 1984.
AC 20-67B, “Airborne VHF Communications Equipment Installations,” January 16, 1986.
AC 20-112, “Airworthiness and Operational Approval of Airborne Systems to be Used in Lieu of a Ground Proximity Warning System(s) (GPWS),” February 19, 1981.
AC 20-115B, “Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautic, Inc., Document RTCA/DO- 178B,” January 11, 1993.
AC 20-118A, “Emergency Evacuation Demonstration,” March 9, 1987.
AC 20-121A, “Airworthiness Approval of Loran-C Navigation Systems for Use in the U.S. National & Airspace System (NAS) and Alaska,” August 24, 1988.