ASTM F3173/F3173M-21a

Standard Specification for Aircraft Handling Characteristics

ABSTRACT
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.
SCOPE
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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2021
• ICS: 49.020 - Aircraft and space vehicles in general
• Technical Committee: F44 - General Aviation Aircraft
• Drafting Committee: F44.20 - Flight

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: F3173/F3173M − 21a
Standard Specification for
1
Aircraft Handling Characteristics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3173/F3173M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 This specification addresses the airworthiness require-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
ments for aeroplane handling characteristics in flight and on
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
ground and water.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.2 The material was developed through open consensus of
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
international experts in general aviation. This information was
created by focusing on Normal Category aeroplanes; however, 2. Referenced Documents
the content may be more broadly applicable, and should not be 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
unduly limited. The topics covered within this specification
F3060 Terminology for Aircraft
are: Flight Characteristics, Trim Requirements, Stability
F3061/F3061M Specification for Systems and Equipment in
Requirements, Ground and Water Handling Characteristics,
Small Aircraft
Vibration and Buffet, and High Speed Characteristics.
F3116/F3116M Specification for Design Loads and Condi-
1.3 An applicant intending to propose this information as tions
Means of Compliance for a design approval must seek guid- F3174/F3174M Specification for Establishing Operating
ance from their respective oversight authority (for example, Limitations and Information for Aeroplanes
published guidance from applicable CAAs) concerning the F3179/F3179M Specification for Performance of Aircraft
3
acceptable use and application thereof. For information on 2.2 EASA Standard:
which oversight authorities have accepted this specification (in EASA CS-23 Normal, Utility, Aerobatic and Commuter
whole or in part) as an acceptable Means of Compliance to Aeroplanes
4
their regulatory requirements (hereinafter “the Rules”), refer to
2.3 FAA Standard:
the ASTM Committee F44 web page (www.astm.org/ 14 CFR Part 23 Airworthiness Standards: Normal Category
COMMITTEE/F44.htm). Annex A1 maps the Means of Com-
Airplanes
pliance of the ASTM standards to EASA CS-23, amendment 5,
3. Terminology
or later, and FAA 14 CFR Part 23, amendment 64, or later,
rules.
3.1 Refer to Terminology F3060 referenced in Section 2.
1.4 Units—This specification may present information in
4. Flight Characteristics
either SI units, English Engineering units, or both; the values
4.1 General—Unless otherwise specified in a specific
stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents;
requirement, the aeroplane shall meet the requirements of 4.2
therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each
– 4.9, Sections 5 – 8, 9.1, and 9.2 at all practical loading
system shall be used independently of the other, and values
conditions and operating altitudes for which certification has
from the two systems shall not be combined.
been requested, not exceeding that established in Maximum
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Operating Altitude Specification F3174/F3174M and without
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
requiring exceptional piloting skill, alertness, or strength.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F44 on General the ASTM website.
3
Aviation Aircraft and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F44.20 on Flight. Available from European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Konrad-
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2021. Published September 2021. Originally Adenauer-Ufer 3, D-50668 Cologne, Germany, https://www.easa.europa.eu.
4
approved in 2021. Last previous edition approved in 2021 as F3173/F3173M–21. Available from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 800 Independence
DOI: 10.1520/F3173_F3173M-21A. Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20591, http://www.faa.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F3173/F3173M − 21 F3173/F3173M − 21a
Standard Specification for
1
Aircraft Handling Characteristics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3173/F3173M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F3060 Terminology for Aircraft
F3061/F3061M Specification for Systems and Equipment in Small Aircraft
F3116/F3116M Specification for Design Loads and Conditions
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F44 on General Aviation Aircraft and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F44.20 on Flight.
Current edition approved May 1, 2021Sept. 1, 2021. Published May 2021September 2021. Originally approved in 2015.2021. Last previous edition approved in 20182021
as F3173/F3173M–18.–21. DOI: 10.1520/F3173_F3173M-21.10.1520/F3173_F3173M-21A.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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F3173/F3173M − 21a
F3174/F3174M Specification for Establishing Operating Limitations and Information for Aeroplanes
F3179/F3179M Specification for Performance of Aircraft
3
2.2 EASA Standard:
EASA CS-23 Normal, Utility, Aerobatic and Commuter Aeroplanes
4
2.3 FAA Standard:
14 CFR Part 23 Airworthiness Standards: Normal Category Airplanes
3. Terminology
3.1 Refer to Terminology F3060 referenced in Section 2.
4. Flight Characteristics
4.1 General—Unless otherwise specified in a specific requirement, the aeroplane shall meet the requirements of 4.2 – 4.9, Sections
5 – 8, 9.1, and 9.2 at all practical loading conditions and operating altitudes for which certification has been requested, not
exceeding that established in Maximum Operating Altitude Specification F3174
...