Advisory U.S. Department of Transportation Circular Federal Aviation Administration AC NO: 23-8A DATE: 2/9/89
FLIGHT TEST GUIDE
FOR CERTIFICATION OF PART 23 AIRPLANES
Advisory U.S. Department of Transportation Circular Federal Aviation Administration Subject: FLIGHT TEST GUIDE FOR Date: 2/9/89 AC No: 23-8A CERTIFICATION OF PART 23 Initiated by: ACE-100 Change:
AIRPLANES PURPOSE.
a. This advisory circular (AC) provides information and guidance concerning acceptable means, but not the only means, of showing compliance with Part 23 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) concerning flight tests and pilot judgments. Accordingly, this material is neither mandatory nor regulatory in nature and does not constitute a regulation.
b. This AC is one method being utilized to achieve national standardization in normal, utility, acrobatic, and commuter airplane certification.
c. This material is intended as a ready reference for Part 23 airplane manufacturers, modifiers, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) design evaluation engineers, flight test engineers, and engineering flight test pilots, including Delegation Option Authorization (DOA), Designated Alteration Station Authorization (DAS), and Designated Engineering Representative (DER) personnel.
CANCELLATION. AC 23-8, Flight Test Guide for Certification of Normal, Utility, and Acrobatic Category Airplanes, dated October 20, 1987, is cancelled.
GENERAL. This AC covers flight test items of interest during type certification. Other engineering disciplines, such as airframes, systems and equipment, and propulsion are addressed as they pertain to flight test criteria.
BACKGROUND. AC 23-8, Flight Test Guide for Certification of Normal, Utility, and Acrobatic Category Airplanes, was published to replace FAA Order 8110.7, Engineering Flight Test Guide for Small Airplanes, dated June 20, 1972, and to consolidate existing flight test policy. AC 23-8 did not cover commuter category airplanes.
5. APPLICABILITY.
a. These methods and procedures are promulgated, in the interest of standardization, for use during all normal, utility, acrobatic, and commuter category airplane flight test certification activities. This material is not to be construed as having any legal status and must be treated accordingly.
The procedures set forth herein are one acceptable means of compliance with applicable sections of Part 23.
Like all AC material, these guidelines are not mandatory and do not constitute regulations. They are derived from previous FAA experience in finding compliance with the airworthiness requirements and represent the methods and procedures found one acceptable means of compliance, individuals should be guided by the intent of the methods provided in this AC. Any alternate means proposed by the applicant will be given due consideration. Applicants should contact their Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) to determine the acceptability of proposed methods.
b. This AC covers the latest Part 23 amendments through amendment 23-34 which includes commuter category airplanes. Each paragraph has the applicable Part 23 amendment shown in the title. Prior amendments may require separate procedures and guidance. Applicants should contact their ACO for information concerning policies applicable to prior amendments of Part 23 and Civil Air Regulations (CAR 3).
develop Sections entitled "Reserved" will be filled in when the material is
6. RELATED PUBLICATIONS. Certification personnel should be familiar with FAA Order 8110.4, "Type Certification," and FAA Order 8100.5, "Aircraft Certification Directorate Procedures." In this AC, reference is made to other FAA AC's which give guidance on various aspects of type certification and supplemental type certification.
7. HOW TO OBTAIN. Copies of AC 23-8A may be ordered from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 or from any of the Government Printing Office bookstores located in major cities throughout the United State: Зати
ARRY DA CLEMENT Manager, Small Airplane Directorate Aircraft Certification Service II
CONTENTS Paragraph Page NO.
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL Section 23.1 Applicability 1
2.-5. RESERVED 1 CHAPTER 2. FLIGH] Section 1. GENERA
6. Section 23.21 Proof of Compliance 3
7. Section 23.23 Load Distribution Limits 6
8. Section 23.25 Weight Limits 6
9. Section 23.29 Empty Weight and Corresponding Center of Gravity
10. Section 23.31 Removable Ballast 8
11. Section 23.33 Propeller Speed and Pitch Limits 8
12.-15. RESERVED 10 Section 2. PERFORMANCE
16. Section 23.45 General 10
17. Section 23.49 Stalling Speed 11
18. Section 23.51 Takeoff - Normal, Utility, and Acrobatic Category Airplanes (Amendment 23-21) 18
19. Section 23.51 Takeoff - Commuter Category Airplanes (Amendment 23-34) 22
20. Section 23.53 Takeoff Speeds 23
21. Section 23.55 Accelerate-Stop Distance 26
22. Section 23.57 Takeoff Path 29
23. Section 23.59 Takeoff Distance and Takeoff Run 35
24. Section 23.61 Takeoff Flight Path 38
25. Section 23.65 Climb: All Engines Operating 40
26. Section 23.67 Climb: One Engine Inoperative 45
27. Section 23.75 Landing 47
28. Section 23.77 Balked Landing Climb 52
29.-38. RESERVED 53 Section 3. FLIGHT CHARACTERISTICS
39. Section 23.141 General 53
40.-44. RESERVED 54 Section 4. CONTROLLABILITY AND MANEUVERABILITY
45. Section 23.143 General 54
46. Section 23.145 Longitudinal Control 56
47. Section 23.147 Directional and Lateral Control 57
48. Section 23.149 Minimum Control Speed 58 III
Paragraph Page No.
Section 4. CONTROLLABILITY AND MANEUVERABILITY (continued)
49. Section 23.151 Acrobatic Maneuvers 62
50. Section 23.153 Control During Landings 63
51. Section 23.155 Elevator Control Force in Maneuvers 63
52. Section 23.157 Rate of Roll 65
53.-62. RESERVED 66 Section 5. TRIM
63. Section 23.161 Tr im 66
64.-69. RESERVED 66 Section 6. STABILITY
70. Section 23.171 General 66
71. Section 23.173 Static Longitudinal Stability 67 72- Section 23.175 Demonstration of Static Longitudinal Stability 67
73. Section 23.177 Static Directional and Lateral Stability 69
74. Section 23.179 Instrumented Stick Force Measurements 70
75. Section 23.181 Dynamic Stability 70
76.-85. RESERVED 74 Section 7. STALLS
86. Section 23.20l Wings Level Stall 74
87. Section 23.203 Turning Flight and Accelerated Stalls 78 88 . Section 23.205 Critical Engine Inoperative Stalls 78
89. Section 23.207 Stall Warning 79
90.-99. RESERVED 80 Section 8. SPINNING
100. Section 23.221 Spinning 80
101.-105. RESERVED 85 Section 9. GROUND AND WATER HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS
106. Section 23.231 Longitudinal Stability and Control 85
107. Section 23.233 Directional Stability and Control 86
108. Section 23.235 Taxiing Condition 88
109. Section 23.239 Spray Characteristics 88
110.-119. RESERVED 88 IV
Paragraph Page No.
Section 10. MISCELLANEOUS FLIGHT REQUIREMENTS
120. Section 23.251 Vibration and Buffeting 88
121. Section 23.253 High Speed Characteristics 89
122.-131. RESERVED 93 CHAPTER 3. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION Section 1. GENERAL
132. Section 23.629 Flutter 95
133.-137. RESERVED 95 Section 2. CONTROL SYSTEMS
138. Section 23.671 General (RESERVED) 95
139. Section 23.677 Trim Systems 95
140. Section 23.679 Control System Locks 97
141. Section 23.697 Wing Flap Controls (RESERVED) 97
142. Section 23.699 Wing Flap Position Indicator (RESERVED) 97
143. Section 23.701 Flap Interconnection (RESERVED) 97
144.-153. RESERVED 97 Section 3. LANDING GEAR
154. Section 23.729 Landing Gear Extension and Retraction System 97
155. Section 23.735 Brakes (RESERVED) 97
156.-160. RESERVED 97 Section 4. PERSONNEL AND CARGO ACCOMMODATIONS
161. Section 23.771 Pilot Compartment (RESERVED) 97
162. Section 23.773 Pilot Compartment View (RESERVED) 97
163. Section 23.777 Cockpit Controls (RESERVED) 97
164. Section 23.803 Emergency Evacuation 97
165. Section 23.807 Emergency Exits 97
166. Section 23.831 Ventilation (RESERVED) 98
167.-175. RESERVED 98 Section 5. PRESSURIZATION
176. Section 23.841 Pressurized Cabins 98
177. Section 23.843 Pressurization Tests (RESERVED) 98
178.-188. RESERVED 98 V
Paragraph Page No.
CHAPTER 4. POWERPLANL Section 1. GENERAL
189. Section 23.901 Installation (RESERVED) 99
190. Section 23.903 Engines 99
191. Section 23.905 Propellers 102
192. Section 23.909 Turbosuperchargers 102
193. Section 23.929 Engine Installation Ice Protection 102
194. Section 23.933 Reversing Systems 102
195. Section 23.939 Powerplant Operating Characteristics 103
196. Section 23.943 Negative Acceleration 104
197.-206. RESERVED 104 Section 2. FUEL SYSTEM
207. Section 23.959 Unusable Fuel Supply 105
208. Section 23.961 Fuel System Hot Weather Operation 105
209.-220. RESERVED 105 Section 3. FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS
221. Section 23.1001 Fuel Jettisoning System 105
222.-237. RESERVED 106 Section 4. OIL SYSTEM
238. Section 23.1027 Propeller Feathering System 106
239.-244. RESERVED 106 Section 5. COOLING
245. Section 23.1041 General 106
246. Section 23.1043 Cooling Tests 106
247. Section 23.1045 Cooling Test Procedures for Turbine Engine-Powered Airplanes 107
248. Section 23.1047 Cooling Test Procedures for Reciprocating Engine-Powered Airplanes 111
249.-254. RESERVED 114 Section 6. INDUCTION SYSTEM
255. Section 23.1091 Air Induction 114
256. Section 23.1093 Induction System Icing Protection 114
257.-265. RESERVED 119 VI
Paragraph Page NO.
Section 7. POWERPLANT CONTROLS AND ACCESSORIES
266. Section 23.1141 Powerplant Controls: General 119
267. Section 23.1145 Ignition Switches (RESERVED) 119
268. Section 23.1153 Propeller Feathering Controls 119
269.-278. RESERVED 119 Section 8. POWERPLANT FIRE PROTECTION
279. Section 23.1189 Shutoff Means 119
280.-285 RESERVED 119 CHAPTER 5. EQUIPMENT Section 1. GENERAL
286. Section 23.1301 Function and Installation (Prior to Amendment 23-20) 121
287. Section 23.1301 Function and Installation (Amendment 23-20) 121
288. Section 23.1303 Flight and Navigation Instruments (Prior to Amendment 23-17) 131
289. Section 23.1303 Flight and Navigation Instruments (Amendment 23-17) 132
290. Section 23.1305 Powerplant Instruments 133
291. Section 23.1307 Miscellaneous Equipment 133
292. Section 23.1309 Equipment, Systems, and Installations (RESERVED) 133
293.-299. RESERVED 133 Section 2. INSTRUMENTS: INSTALLATION
300. Section 23.1321 Arrangement and Visibility (RESERVED) 133
301. Section 23.1322 Warning, Caution, and Advisory Lights (RESERVED) 133
302. Section 23.1323 Airspeed Indicating System 133
303. Section 23.1325 Static Pressure System 135
304. Section 23.1327 Magnetic Direction Indicator (RESERVED) 137
305. Section 23.1329 Automatic Pilot System 137
306. Section 23.1331 Instruments Using a Power Supply (RESERVED) 137
307. Section 23.1335 Flight Director Systems (RESERVED) 137
308. Section 23.1337 Powerplant Instruments 137
309.-318. RESERVED 138 VII
Paragraph Page No.
Section 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
319. Section 23.1351 General (RESERVED) 138
320. Section 23.1353 Storage Battery Design and Installation (RESERVED) 138
321. Section 23.1357 Circuit Protective Devices (RESERVED) 138
322. Section 23.1361 Master Switch Arrangement (RESERVED) 138
323. Section 23.1367 Switches (RESERVED) 138
324.-328. RESERVED 138 Section 4. LIGHTS
329. Section 23.1381 Instrument Lights (RESERVED) 138
330. Section 23.1383 Landing Lights (RESERVED) 138
331.-335. RESERVED 138 Section 5. SAFETY EQUIPMENT
336. Section 23.1411 General (RESERVED) 138
337. Section 23.1415 Ditching Equipment (RESERVED) 138
338. Section 23.1416 Pneumatic Deicer Boot System 138
339. Section 23.1419 Ice Protection 138
340.-349. RESERVED 138 Section 6. MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT
350. Section 23.1431 Electronic Equipment (RESERVED)
351. Section 23.1435 Hydraulic Systems (RESERVED)
352. Section 23.1441 Oxygen Equipment and Supply (RESERVED) 138
353. Section 23.1447 Equipment Standards for Oxygen Dispensing Units (RESERVED)
354. Section 23.1449 Means for Determining Use of Oxygen (RESERVED) 138
355.-364. RESERVED 138 CHAPTER 6. OPERATING LIMITATIONS AND INFORMATION Section 1. GENERAL
365. Section 23.1501 General 139
366. Section 23.1505 Airspeed Limitations 139
367. Section 23.1507 Maneuvering Speed 139
368. Section 23.1511 Flap Extended Speed 139
369. Section 23.1513 Minimum Control Speed 139
370. Section 23.1519 Weight and Center of Gravity 139
371. Section 23.1521 Powerplant Limitations (RESERVED) 139 VILI
Paragraph Page No.
372. Section 23.1523 Minimum Flight Crew (Amendment 23-21) 139
373. Section 23.1523 Minimum Flight Crew (Amendment 23-34) 140
374. Section 23.1524 Maximum Passenger Seating Configuration 144
375. Section 23.1525 Kinds of Operation 144
376. Section 23.1527 Maximum Operating Altitude 144
377.-386. RESERVED 145 Section 2. MARKINGS AND PLACARDS
387. Section 23.1541 General 145
388. Section 23.1543 Instrument Markings: General 145
389. Section 23.1545 Airspeed Indicator 145
390. Section 23.1547 Magnetic Direction Indicator 145
391. Section 23.1549 Powerplant Instruments (RESERVED) 146
392. Section 23.1551 Oil Quantity Indicator (RESERVED) 146
393. Section 23.1553 Fuel Quantity Indicator (RESERVED) 146
394. Section 23.1555 Control Markings (RESERVED) 146
395. Section 23.1557 Miscellaneous Markings and Placards (RESERVED) 146
396. Section 23.1559 Operating Limitations Placard 146
397. Section 23.1561 Safety Equipment 146 398 - Section 23.1563 Airspeed Placards 146
399. Section 23.1567 Flight Maneuver Placard 146
400.-409. RESERVED 146 Section 3. AIRPLANE FLIGHT MANUAL AND APPROVED MANUAL MATERIAL
410. Section 23.1581 General 146
411. Section 23.1583 Operating Limitations 148
412. Section 23.1585 Operating Procedures 150
413. Section 23.1587 Performance Information 151
414. Section 23.1589 Loading Information 153
415.-424. RESERVED 153
APPENDIXES APPENDIX 1 Power Available 1 Figure 1 Brake Horsepower Versus Pressure Altitude 3 Figure 2 Turbocharged Brake Horsepower Versus Altitude 6 APPENDIX 2 Climb Data Reduction 1 Figure 1 Coefficient of Drag Versus Coefficient of Lift 2 IX
Page No.
APPENDIX 3 Minimum Control Speed Extrapolation to Sea Level Figure 1 Thrust Horsepower at Sea Level 3 APPENDIX 4 FAR 23 Manuals, Markings and Placards Checklist 1 APPENDIX 5 Guide for Preparing Airplane Flight Manual and Pilot's Operating Handbook Supplements 1 APPENDIX 6 Sample Kinds of Operating Equipment List APPENDIX 7 Useful Information 1 Figure 1 U.S. Standard Atmosphere Figure 2 Temperature Conversion Chart Figure 3 Determination of Air Temperature in Relation to International Standard Atmosphere Figure 4 Density/Pressure Altitude Conversion Figure 5 Compressibility Correction to CAS Figure 6 Altimeter Error vs. CAS Figure 7 Temperature Ram Rise Figure 8 Stall Speed at Bank Angle 10 Figure 9 Vectorial Acceleration Versus Angle of Bank 11 Figure 10 Flight Path Velocity - Knots (TAS) 12 Figure Il Takeoff and Landing Crosswind Component - Knots 14 APPENDIX 8 Conversion Factors Tables APPENDIX 9 Airspeed Calibrations 1 Figure 1 Sample Speed Course Data and Data Reduction Figure 2 Bomb Airspeed Data Reduction Figure 3 Trapped Static Source Schematic Figure 4 Trapped Static Data Reduction Figure 5 Ground Airspeed Calibration 11 Figure 6 Sample Ground Airspeed Calibration Using a Distance Measuring Unit 13
ILLUSTRATIONS The first block of digits in the figure number denotes the associated paragraph number. The second block of digits denotes the figure number within the paragraph.
Figure No. Title Page No.
17-1 Stall Speed 13 17-2 Propeller Coefficients 14 17-3 Zero Thrust 15 21-1 Accelerate-Stop Time Delays 28 23-1 Takeoff Distance - Critical Engine Failure Recognized at V 36 23-2 Takeoff Distance - All Engines Operating 36 23-3 Takeoff Run - Critical Engine Failure Recognized at V 37 23-4 Takeoff Run - All Engines Operating 37 23-5 Clearway Profiles 38 24-1 Takeoff Segments and Nomenclature 39 24-2 Net Takeoff Flight Path 40 25-1 Observed Data 42 25-2 Rate of Climb vs. Airspeed 43 25-3 Rate of Climb and Speeds 44 27-1 Landing Time Delays 50 51-1 Stick Force Per G 65 72-1 Static Longitudinal Stability Plot (Cruise Condition) 68 100-1 Spin Evaluation Configuration Matrix 84 256-1 Carburetor Air Heat Rise Calculations 117 256-2 Carburetor Air Heat Rise Plots 118
ADVISORY CIRCULARS Advisory Circular Page Number Title Number Number 23-7 Substantiation for an Increase in Maximum Weight, Maximum Landing Weight, or Zero Fuel Weight 8a (2) 7 91-23A Pilot's Weight and Balance Handbook 9b 8
23.629-1A Means of Compliance with Section
23.629, "Flutter" 132 95
23.679-1 Control System Locks 140 97
23.729-1 Landing Gear Doors and Retraction Mechanism 154 97 20-118A Emergency Evacuation Demonstration 164 97
23.807-2 Doors Between Pilot's Compartment and Passenger Cabin in Small Airplanes 165 97 XI