ISO 5286:2023

Flight performance of civil small and light fixed-wing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) - Test methods

This document specifies the test requirements and methods for verifying the specified flight performance items of civil fixed-wing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). This document is applicable to the category of civil small and light fixed-wing UAS, which applies to maximum take-off mass (MTOM) level I through V according to ISO 21895.

Performance de vol des aéronefs sans pilote (UAS) civils petits et légers à voilure fixe — Méthodes d'essais

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 22-Oct-2023
• ICS: 49.020 - Aircraft and space vehicles in general
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 20/SC 16 - Unmanned aircraft systems
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 20/SC 16/WG 5 - Testing and evaluation
• Current Stage: 6060 - International Standard published
• Start Date: 23-Oct-2023
• Due Date: 12-Sep-2023
• Completion Date: 23-Oct-2023

Relations

• Consolidated By: ISO 182-3:2025 - Plastics - Determination of the tendency of compounds and products based on vinyl chloride homopolymers and copolymers to evolve hydrogen chloride and any other acidic products at elevated temperatures - Part 3: Conductometric method
• Effective Date: 05-Apr-2025

Overview

ISO 5286:2023 - "Flight performance of civil small and light fixed‑wing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) - Test methods" defines standardized test requirements and methods to verify declared flight performance of civil fixed‑wing UAS. It applies to small and light fixed‑wing UAS with maximum take‑off mass (MTOM) levels I–V per ISO 21895. The standard focuses on harmonizing flight test procedures so manufacturers, test labs and regulators can consistently validate performance claims.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and applicability: Civil small and light fixed‑wing UAS, MTOM levels I–V (ISO 21895).
• Test planning: Prepare a test outline including test basis, objectives, flight plan, instrumentation, environmental/acceptance criteria and data processing principles.
• Test articles and apparatus: Tests must cover the range of centre‑of‑gravity and mass envelopes; flight control systems and sensors must be calibrated; measuring devices must be within calibration validity.
• Personnel: Test teams should have training and experience in accordance with ISO 23665.
• Environmental conditions: Flight data must be corrected to standard atmospheric conditions (ISO 2533); tests require suitable test field, clear communications and minimal electromagnetic interference.
• Data, records and reporting: Test records and reports must document test purpose, conditions, instrumentation, deviations, results and analysis.
• Termination/resumption criteria: Specifies when to stop tests (e.g., ineligible key indicators, unrepairable faults, unacceptable environmental changes) and when repeat testing is required.
• Test items and procedures: The standard defines procedures for ten core performance items:
  • Launch/take‑off performance (horizontal, vertical, catapult, manual) - minimum of 5 tests for take‑off
  • Maximum take‑off mass verification
  • Climb performance (tests at ≥3 heights; multiple speeds around best climb rate)
  • Maximum achievable height
  • Maximum and minimum horizontal speeds
  • Maximum flight endurance
  • Turning performance (non‑straight flight)
  • Recovery/landing performance
  • Gliding performance
• Flight mode: Tests are generally conducted in straight‑line flight except turning performance.

Applications and users

ISO 5286:2023 is practical for:

• UAS manufacturers validating design and verifying declared performance
• Flight test laboratories conducting acceptance and qualification testing
• Certification bodies and regulators seeking harmonized test evidence (note: ISO 5286 provides methods but does not set acceptance thresholds)
• Operators and procurement teams assessing platform suitability for missions (surveying, agriculture, inspection, public safety)
• R&D teams comparing design iterations under consistent test methods

Related standards

• ISO 21895 - MTOM classification referenced for applicability levels I–V
• ISO 21384‑4 - UAS vocabulary and terms used by the standard
• ISO 23665 - Training requirements for personnel involved in UAS operations
• ISO 2533 - Standard atmosphere used for data correction

Keywords: ISO 5286:2023, flight performance, fixed‑wing UAS test methods, small and light UAS, MTOM levels I–V, launch performance, climb performance, endurance testing, UAS verification.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 5286
First edition
2023-10
Flight performance of civil small and
light fixed-wing unmanned aircraft
systems (UAS) — Test methods
Performance de vol des aéronefs sans pilote (UAS) civils petits et
légers à voilure fixe — Méthodes d'essais
Reference number
© ISO 2023
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
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Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 General requirements . 1
4.1 Test purpose . 1
4.2 Test outline . 1
4.3 Test requirements. 2
4.3.1 Technical documents . 2
4.3.2 Test article . . 2
4.3.3 Test apparatus . 2
4.3.4 Personnel . 2
4.3.5 Management of the test article . 2
4.3.6 Flight test conditions . 3
4.3.7 Test termination and resumption . 3
4.4 Data processing requirement . 3
4.5 Test record. 3
4.6 Test report . 4
5 Test methods . 4
5.1 Test items . 4
5.2 Test procedures . 4
5.2.1 General . 4
5.2.2 Launch/take-off performance . 4
5.2.3 Maximum take-off mass . 5
5.2.4 Climb performance . 5
5.2.5 Maximum achievable height . 5
5.2.6 Maximum horizontal speed . 6
5.2.7 Minimum horizontal speed . 6
5.2.8 Maximum flight endurance . 6
5.2.9 Turning performance . 6
5.2.10 Recovery/landing performance . 6
5.2.11 Gliding performance . 6
Bibliography . 8
iii
Foreword
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Subcommittee SC 16, Unmanned aircraft systems.
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iv
Introduction
Fixed-wing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have rapidly increased and are widely used in agriculture,
surveying, monitoring, public security, and so on. However, the test methods for the flight performance
of fixed-wing UAS vary worldwide and are yet to be harmonized.
This document provides flight performance test methods of civil fixed-wing UAS to verify the
manufacturer’s declared specifications. The test items selected in this document are those considered
to affect fixed-wing flight performance significantly. Acceptance criteria are not included due to
consideration that regulations can vary in different countries.
v
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 5286:2023(E)
Flight performance of civil small and light fixed-wing
unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) — Test methods
1 Scope
This document specifies the test requirements and methods for verifying the specified flight
performance items of civil fixed-wing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
This document is applicable to the category of civil small and light fixed-wing UAS, which applies to
maximum take-off mass (MTOM) level I through V according to ISO 21895.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 21384-4, Unmanned aircraft systems — Part 4: Vocabulary
ISO 23665, Unmanned aircraft systems — Training for personnel involved in UAS operations
ISO 2533, Standard Atmosphere
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 21384-4 apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
4 General requirements
4.1 Test purpose
This test aims to verify that a fixed-wing UAS’s flight performance indicators satisfy its design
specifications
...