Subject: FLIGHT TEST GUIDE FOR
CERTIFICATION OF TRANSPORT
CATEGORY AIRPLANES Date: 3/31/98 Initiated By: ANM-110 AC No: 25-7A Change:
1. PURPOSE. This revised advisory circular (AC) provides updated guidance for the flight test evaluation of transport category airplanes. These guidelines provide an acceptable means of demonstrating compliance with the pertinent regulations of 14 CFR part 25. The methods and procedures described herein have evolved through many years of flight testing of transport category airplanes and, as such, represent current certification practice. 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 methods and procedures found to be acceptable by that experience. Although mandatory terms such as "shall" and "must" are used in this AC, because the AC method of compliance is not in itself mandatory, these terms apply only to applicants who seek to demonstrate compliance by use of the specific methods described in this AC.
2. CANCELLATION. AC 25-7, "Flight Test Guide for Certification of Transport Category Airplanes," dated April 9, 1986.
3. BACKGROUND. Since AC 25-7 was released on April 9, 1986, it has been the primary source of guidance for flight test methods and procedures to show compliance with the regulations contained in subpart B of part 25, which are related to airplane performance and handling characteristics. For certification flight testing to show compliance with other part 25 regulations, Order 8110.8, "Engineering Flight Test Guide for Transport Category Airplanes," provided guidance for internal FAA use in determining acceptable means of compliance. Order 8110.8, as revised on September 26, 1974, has been subject to five "change" updates to reflect significant policy changes; the last change being the removal of the subpart B-related material concurrent with the original release of AC 25-7. Order 8110.8 reflected the policy in place when Amendment 25-29 to part 25 was adopted, and the original release of AC 25-7 reflected an Amendment 25-59 time frame. Part 25 has been amended significantly since the two referenced documents were last revised and, likewise, guidance and policy have changed in many areas as experience has been gained. During this time period, many advances in technology have also taken place that require new or modified test techniques. This revision updates the original AC to incorporate the latest policy and guidance material
applicable to all sections of part 25. The material related to regulations outside of subpart B supersedes that contained in Order 8110.8, which has been cancelled accordingly upon issuance of this AC.
4. APPLICABILITY. These methods and procedures are promulgated, in the interest of standardization, for use during all transport 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 25. Any alternate means proposed by the applicant should be given due consideration. Applicants are encouraged to use their technical ingenuity and resourcefulness in order to develop more efficient and less costly methods of achieving the objectives of Part 25. Since these methods and procedures are only one acceptable means of compliance, individuals should be guided by the intent of the methods provided in this AC. As deviations from the methods and procedures described in this AC may occur, FAA certification personnel will coordinate what they consider to be major deviations with the Transport Standards Staff (ANM-110) of the Transport Airplane Directorate. If in their judgment, however, a deviation is considered to be minor, coordination with ANM-110 may not be necessary.
5. RELATED PUBLICATIONS. Certification personnel should be familiar with FAA Order 8110.4A, "Type Certification Process," and FAA Order 8100.5, "Aircraft Certification Directorate Procedures." In this AC, reference is made to other FAA advisory circulars that provide guidance on various aspects of type certification and supplemental type certification.
/s/ Ronald T. Wojnar Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate Aircraft Certification Service
CONTENTS Paragraph Pa ge No.
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL
1. FAR 25.1 Applicability [RESERVED] 1
2. FAR 25.2 Special Retroactive Requirements [RESERVED] 1 CHAPTER 2. FLIGHT Section 1. GENERAL
3. FAR 25.21 Proof of Compliance31
Figure 3-1 Weight Tolerance Limits33
Figure 3-2 Equivalent Weight Extrapolation34
Figure 3-3 Test Parameters That Normally Can Be Corrected35
Figure 3-4 Wind Profile Variation36
4. FAR 25.23 Load Distribution Limits [RESERVED]42
5. FAR 25.25 Weight Limits [RESERVED]42
FAR 25.27 Center of Gravity Li mits [RESERVED]42
6. FAR 25.29 Empty Weight and Corresponding Center
of Gravity [RESERVED]42
7. FAR 25.31 Removable Ballast [RESERVED]42
8. FAR 25.33 Propeller Speed and Pitch Limits43
Section 2. PERFORMANCE
9. FAR 25.101 General71
FAR 25.103 Stalling Speed (see paragraph 29)
10. FAR 25.105 Takeoff71
FAR 25.107 Takeoff Speeds71
11. FAR 25.109 Accelerate-Stop Distance80
Figure 11-1 Accelerate-Stop Time Delays80-7
Figure 11-2 Accelerate-Stop Speed Vs. Distance80-9
Figure 11-3 Anti-Skid System Response Characteristics
(On-Off System)80-13
Figure 11-4 Anti-Skid System Response Characteristics
(Quasi-Modulating System)80-15
Figure 11-5 Anti-Skid System Response Characteristics
(Fully Modulating System)80-17
Figure 11-6 Instantaneous Brake Force and Peak Brake Force80-21
Figure 11-7 Anti-Skid Efficiency-Wheel Slip Relationship80-23
Figure 11-8 Substantiation of the Optimal Slip Value80-24
12. FAR 25.111 Takeoff Path81
13. FAR 25.113 Takeoff Distance and Ta keoff Run88
Figure 13-1 Takeoff Distance on a Dry Runway89
Figure 13-2 Takeoff Distance (All Engines Operating)89
Figure 13-3 Takeoff Distance on a Wet Runway90
Figure 13-4 Takeoff Run (Critical Engine Fails at V EF)91
Figure 13-5 Takeoff Run (All Engines Operating)91
Figure 13-6 Clearway Profiles92
14. FAR 25.115 Takeoff Flight Path92
Figure 14-1 Takeoff Segments & Nomenclature93
Figure 14-2 Net Takeoff Flight Path94
15. FAR 25.117 Climb: General94
16. FAR 25.119 Landing Climb: All-Engines Operating95
17. FAR 25.121 Climb: One-Engine-Inoperative96
18. FAR 25.123 En route Flight Paths97
19. FAR 25.125 Landing98
Figure 19-1 Landing Time Delays103
Section 3. CONTROLLABILITY AND MANEUVERABILITY
20. FAR 25.143 General121
Figure 20-1 Sample Pitch Tracking Task129
Figure 20-2 A-PC Rating Criteria & Comparison to MIL Standard130
Figure 20-3 Example of Minimum Permitted HQ Rating for A-PC
Tendencies131
21. FAR 25.145 Longitudinal Control135
22. FAR 25.147 Directional and Lateral Control140
23. FAR 25.149 Minimum Control Speed143
Section 4. TRIM
24. FAR 25.161 Trim [RESERVED]157
Section 5. STABILITY
25. FAR 25.171 General [RESERVED]171
26. FAR 25.173 Static Longitudinal Stability171
FAR 25.175 Demonstration of Static Longitudinal Stability171
Figure 26-1 Longitudinal Static Stability173
27. FAR 25.177 Static Directional and Lateral Stability173
28. FAR 25.181 Dynamic Stability175
Section 6. STALLS
29. Stall Testing189
FAR 25.201 Stall Demonstration189
FAR 25.203 Stall Characteristics194
FAR 25.207 Stall Warning197
Figure 29-1 Stall Test Time History199
Figure 29-2 Stall CLCG vs. Entry Rate200
Figure 29-3 Stall CL vs. Weight and Flap Setting200
Figure 29-4 Stall Speeds vs. Weight and Flap Setting201
Figure 29-5 Thrust Effect on Stall C L201
Section 7. GROUND AND WATER HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS
30. General211
FAR 25.231 Longitudinal Stability and Control211
FAR 25.233 Directional Stability and Contro l211
FAR 25.235 Taxiing Condition [RESERVED]212
FAR 25.237 Wind Velocities212
FAR 25.239 Spray Characteristics, Control, and Stability on Water213
Section 8. MISCELLANEOUS FLIGHT REQUIREMENTS
31. FAR 25.251 Vibration and Buffeting221
Figure 31-1 Maneuvering Characteristics224
(Speeds up to the Lesser of V FC or MFC or Buffet Onset)
Figure 31-2 Maneuvering Characteristics225
(Speeds between Figure 31-1 and V DF or MDF)
32. FAR 25.253 High Speed Characteristics225
33. FAR 25.255 Out-of-Trim Characteristics229
Figure 33-1 Mistrimmed Maneuvering Characteristics231
CHAPTER 3. STRUCTURE [RESERVED] CHAPTER 4. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION Section 1. GENERAL [RESERVED] Section 2. CONTROL SURFACES [RESERVED]
Section 3. CONTROL SYSTEMS
34. FAR 25.671 General261
[35-45] [RESERVED]261
46. FAR 25.701 Flap and Slat Interconnections261
47. FAR 25.703 Takeoff Warning System [RESERVED]262
Section 4. LANDING GEAR
[48-51] [RESERVED]283
52. FAR 25.729 Retracting Mechanisms283
53. FAR 25.731 Wheels284
54. FAR 25.733 Tires [RESERVED]286
55. FAR 25.735 Brakes286
56. FAR 25.737 Skis [RESERVED]301
Section 5. FLOATS AND HULLS [57-59] [RESERVED] 311 Section 6. PERSONNEL AND CARGO ACCOMMODATIONS
[60-61] [RESERVED]323
62. FAR 25.773 Pilot Compartment View323
[63-72] [RESERVED]323
Section 7. EMERGENCY PROVISIONS
73. FAR 25.801 Ditching [RESERVED]333
74. FAR 25.803 Emergency Evacuation333
[75-83] [RESERVED]333
Section 8. VENTILATION AND HEATING
84. FAR 25.831 Ventilation343
85. FAR 25.832 Cabin Ozone Concentration [RESERVED]343
86. FAR 25.833 Combustion Heating Systems [RESERVED]343
Section 9. PRESSURIZATION
87. FAR 25.841 Pressurized Cabins353
88. FAR 25.843 Tests for Pressurized Cabins355
Section 10. FIRE PROTECTION [RESERVED] Section 11. MISCELLANEOUS [RESERVED] CHAPTER 5. POWERPLANT Section 1. GENERAL
89. FAR 25.901 Installation [RESERVED]387
90. FAR 25.903 Engines387
FAR 25.903(b) Engine Isolation387
FAR 25.903(c) Control of Engine Rotation387
FAR 25.903(d) Turbine Engine Installations388
FAR 25.903(e) Engine Restart Capability389
91. FAR 25.904 Automatic Takeoff Thrust Control Systems (ATTCS)390
92. FAR 25.905 Propellers392
93. FAR 25.907 Propeller Vibration [RESERVED]392
94. FAR 25.925 Propeller Clearance [RESERVED]392
95. FAR 25.929 Propeller Deicing392
96. FAR 25.933 Reversing Systems393
97. FAR 25.934 Turbojet Engine Thrust Reverser Sys. Tests [RESERVED]396
98. FAR 25.937 Turbopropeller-Drag Limiting Systems396
99. FAR 25.939 Turbine Engine Operating Characteristics398
100. FAR 25.941 Inlet, Engine, and Exhaust Capability (RESERVED398
101. FAR 25.943 Negative Acceleration399
102. FAR 25.945 Thrust or Power Augmentation System [RESERVE D]399
Section 2. FUEL SYSTEM
[103-108] [RESERVED]419
109. FAR 25.959 Unusable Fuel Supply419
110. FAR 25.961 Fuel System Hot Weather Operation421
[111-116] [RESERVED]423
117. FAR 25.975 Fuel Tank Vents and Carburetor Vapor Vents423
[118-120] [RESERVED]424
Section 3. FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS
[121-126] [RESERVED]445
127. FAR 25.1001 Fuel Jettisoning System445
Section 4. OIL SYSTEM [RESERVED]
Section 5. COOLING
[128-130] [RESERVED]481
Section 6. INDUCTION SYSTEM
131. FAR 25.1091 Air Induction497
132. FAR 25.1093 Induction System Icing Protection499
[133-136] [RESERVED]501
Section 7. EXHAUST SYSTEM
137. FAR 25.1121 General511
[138-140] [RESERVED] Section 8. POWERPLANT CONTROLS AND ACCESSORIES
[141-154] [RESERVED]521
Section 9. POWERPLANT FIRE PROTECTION
[155-158] [RESERVED]537
159. FAR 25.1187 Drainage and Ventilation of Fire Zones537
[160-164] [RESERVED]537
165. FAR 25.1197 Fire Extinguishing Agents537
[166-169] [RESERVED]538
CHAPTER 6. EQUIPMENT Section 1. GENERAL
170. FAR 25.1301 Function and Installation559
171. FAR 25.1303 Flight and Navigation Instruments592
172. FAR 25.1305 Powerplant Instruments [RESERVED]594
173. FAR 25.1307 Miscellaneous Equipment [RESERVED]594
174. FAR 25.1309 Equipment, Systems, and Installations594
Section 2. INSTRUMENTS: INSTALLATION
175. FAR 25.1321 Arrangement and Visibility [RESERVED]605
176. FAR 25.1322 Warning, Caution, and Advisory Lights [RESERVED]605
177. FAR 25.1323 Airspeed Indicating System605
178. FAR 25.1325 Static Pressure Systems608
179. FAR 25.1326 Pitot Heat Indicator Systems [RESERVED]609
180. FAR 25.1327 Magnetic Direction Indicator [RESERVED]609
181. FAR 25.1329 Automatic Pilot System609
Figure 181-1 Altitude Loss vs. Altitude Go-Around Mode617
[182-185] [RESERVED]625
Section 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
186. FAR 25.1351 General635
187. FAR 25.1353 Electrical Equipment and Installations637
188. FAR 25.1355 Distribution System639
189. FAR 25.1357 [RESERVED]639
190. FAR 25.1363 Electrical System Tests639
Section 4. LIGHTS
191. FAR 25.1381 Instrument Lights651
192. FAR 25.1383 Landing Lights651
193. FAR 25.1385 Position Light System Installation651
[194-200] [RESERVED]652
201. FAR 25.1401 Anticollision Light System652
202. FAR 25.1403 Wing Icing Detection Lights652
Section 5. SAFETY EQUIPMENT
[203-207] [RESERVED]659
Section 6. MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT
208. FAR 25.1431 Electronic Equipment669
[209-223] [RESERVED]669
CHAPTER 7. OPERATING LIMITATIONS & INFORMATION Section 1. [RESERVED] Section 2. Operating Limitations [RESERVED] Section 3. Markings and Placards [RESERVED] Section 4. Airplane Flight Manual
224. FAR 25.1581 General679
[225-227] [RESERVED]679
CHAPTER 8. AIRWORTHINESS-MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
228. Design and Function of Artificial Stall Warning and
Identification Systems701
229. Reduced and Derated Thrust Takeoff Operations704
230. Runway Gradients Greater than +2 Percent705
231. Performance Requirements for Flight in Icing Conditions707
232. Flying Qualities in Natural Icing Conditions708
233. Criteria for Approval of Steep Approach to Landing709
234. Takeoff and Landing on Unpaved Runways713
235. Accountability of Performance De gradation Relative Both Minor Design Changes (External Exposure) and
Configuration Deviation List (CDL) Items716
236. Configuration Deviation List (CDL)717
237. Spare Engine Pod 719
238. Authorization for Ferry Flight with One Engine Inoperative719
239. Instrument Landing System Weather Minima720
240. Takeoff Performance Credit for Alternate Forward Center of Gravity Limits721
241. Performance Credit for Automatic Propeller Drag Reduction Devices724
242. Airplane Backing Using Reverse Thru st725
APPENDICES Appendix 1 History of Jet Transport Performance Standards (CAR 4b Special Regulations 422, 422A and 422B) Appendix 2 History of Accelerate-Stop Transition Time Development Appendix 3 Correction of Air Minimum Control Speed (V MCA) to Standard Conditions Appendix 4 Rudder Pedal Force-Limited Air Minimum Control Speed (V MCA) Appendix 5 One-G Stall Compliance Basis Appendix 6 Sample Flight Test Program [RESERVED Appendix 7 FAA Handling Qualities Rating System Appendix 8 Functional and Reliability Tests (§ 21.35(b)(2))
CHAPTER 1 – GENERAL
1.-2. [RESERVED]
Chap 2 12 CHAPTER 2 - FLIGHT Section 1. GENERAL
3. PROOF OF COMPLIANCE - § 25.21.
a. Explanation. In an effort to provide the necessary guidelines for the flight test evaluation of transport category airplanes, without producing a cumbersome document, this advisory circular assumes a conventional transport airplane configuration. In general, a “conventional” airplane configuration is one with: distinct wing and fuselage elements that are joined together; aft-mounted horizontal and vertical stabilizers that are attached to the fuselage; and propulsion provided either by turbojet/turbofan engines that do not provide any significant increase in lift due to their operation or engine-driven propellers. The effects of non-conventional airplane configurations (e.g., blown flaps) on the compliance methods should be evaluated and determined based on the intent of the guidelines presented for conventional airplane configurations.
(1) Section 25.21(a) - Proof of Compliance.
(i) The burden of showing compliance with the flight requirements for an airworthiness certificate or a type certificate rests with the applicant. The applicant should, at his own expense and risk, conduct such official flight tests as required by the FAA to demonstrate compliance with the applicable requirements. During the certification process, the applicant should make available the airplane, as well as all of the personnel and equipment necessary to obtain and process the required data.
(ii) If the airplane flight characteristics or the required flight data are affected by weight and/or center of gravity (c.g.), the compliance data should be presented for the most critical weight and c.g. position. Unless it can be shown that the allowable c.g. travel in one or more axes (e.g., lateral fuel imbalance) has a negligible effect on the airworthiness requirements, compliance at the critical c.g. must be substantiated.
(iii) The gross weight and c.g. tolerances specified in paragraphs 3a(3)(ii)(A) and (D) are test tolerances and are not intended to allow compliance to be shown at less than critical conditions.
(iv) Section 25.21(a)(1) requires, in part, that the test airplane be in conformity with its type design specifications.
(A) This is interpreted as meaning the test airplane must be in conformity with its type design specification as relates to the particular test being conducted.
(B) Any deviation from conformity must be clearly shown to be of no consequence to the particular test being conducted. For example, if the slip resistant