ASTM F3173/F3173M-21

Standard Specification for Aircraft Handling Characteristics

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).  
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: 30-Apr-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 −21
Standard Specification for
1
Aircraft Handling Characteristics
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF3173/F3173M;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyear
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 mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.1 This specification addresses the airworthiness require-
ments for aeroplane handling characteristics in flight and on
2. Referenced Documents
ground and water.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2 The material was developed through open consensus of
F3060 Terminology for Aircraft
international experts in general aviation. This information was
F3061/F3061M Specification for Systems and Equipment in
created by focusing on Normal Category aeroplanes; however,
Small Aircraft
the content may be more broadly applicable, and should not be
F3116/F3116M Specification for Design Loads and Condi-
unduly limited. The topics covered within this specification
tions
are: Flight Characteristics, Trim Requirements, Stability
F3174/F3174M Specification for Establishing Operating
Requirements, Ground and Water Handling Characteristics,
Limitations and Information for Aeroplanes
Vibration and Buffet, and High Speed Characteristics.
F3179/F3179M Specification for Performance of Aircraft
1.3 An applicant intending to propose this information as
3. Terminology
Means of Compliance for a design approval must seek guid-
ance from their respective oversight authority (for example,
3.1 Refer to Terminology F3060 referenced in Section 2.
published guidance from applicable CAAs) concerning the
4. Flight Characteristics
acceptable use and application thereof. For information on
which oversight authorities have accepted this specification (in
4.1 General—Unless otherwise specified in a specific
whole or in part) as an acceptable Means of Compliance to
requirement, the aeroplane shall meet the requirements of 4.2
their regulatory requirements (hereinafter “the Rules”), refer to
– 4.9, Sections 5–8, 9.1, and 9.2 at all practical loading
the ASTM Committee F44 web page (www.astm.org/
conditions and operating altitudes for which certification has
COMMITTEE/F44.htm).
been requested, not exceeding that established in Maximum
Operating Altitude Specification F3174/F3174M and without
1.4 Units—This specification may present information in
requiring exceptional piloting skill, alertness, or strength.
either SI units, English Engineering units, or both; the values
stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents;
4.2 Control Forces:
therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each
4.2.1 The aeroplane shall be safely controllable and maneu-
system shall be used independently of the other, and values
verable during all flight phases including:
from the two systems shall not be combined.
4.2.1.1 Takeoff,
4.2.1.2 Climb,
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.2.1.3 Level flight,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.2.1.4 Descent,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.2.1.5 Go-around, and
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.2.1.6 Landing (power on and idle power) with the wing
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
flaps extended and retracted.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
4.2.2 It shall be possible to make a smooth transition from
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
one flight condition to another (including turns and slips)
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
without danger of exceeding the limit load factor under any
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
probable operating condition (including, for multiengine
1
ThisspecificationisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeF44onGeneral
2
AviationAircraft and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F44.20 on Flight. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2021. Published May 2021. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2015. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as F3173/F3173M–18. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/F3173_F3173M-21. 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 − 21
aeroplanes, those conditions normally encountered in the flaps have reached the sel
...

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 − 18 F3173/F3173M − 21
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).
1.4 Units—This specification may present information in either SI units, English Engineering units, or both; the values stated in
each system mayare not be exact equivalents. Each necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the
standard, each system shall be used independently of the other; combiningother, and values from the two systems may result in
nonconformance with the standard.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 Dec. 1, 2018May 1, 2021. Published December 2018May 2021. Originally approved in 2015. Last previous edition approved in 20172018 as
F3173/F3173M–17.–18. DOI: 10.1520/F3173_F3173M–18.10.1520/F3173_F3173M-21.
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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
F3173/F3173M − 21
F3174/F3174M Specification for Establishing Operating Limitations and Information for Aeroplanes
F3179/F3179M Specification for Performance of Aircraft
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/F3174M and without requiring exceptional
piloting skill, alertness, or strength.
4.2 Control Forces:
4.2.1 The aeroplane shall be safely controllable and maneuverable during all flight phases including:
4.2.1.1 Takeoff,
4.2.1.2 Climb,
4.2.
...