This specification covers airworthiness requirements for the design of powered fixed wing light sport aircraft, an “airplane.” In order to comply with flight requirements, the following shall be evaluated: load distribution limit, propeller speed and pitch limit, stalling speed, takeoff, climb, landing, balked landing, controllability and maneuverability, vibrations, and ground control and stability. For compliance of structure requirements, the following shall be considered: flight loads; control surface and system loads; horizontal stabilizing and balancing surfaces (balancing loads, maneuvering loads, and gust loads); vertical stabilizing surfaces (maneuvering loads, gust loads, and outboard fins or winglets); supplementary conditions for stabilizing surfaces; ailerons, wing flaps, and special devices; ground load conditions; water load conditions; emergency landing conditions; and other loads. The aircraft shall be designed with the following minimum instrumentation and equipment: flight and navigation instruments such as airspeed indicator, and altimeter; powerplant instruments such as fuel quantity indicator, tachometer (RPM), engine “kill” switch, and engine instruments; miscellaneous equipment such as master switch, and overload protection device; and safety belts and harnesses. Each airplane shall include a Pilot Operating Handbook (POH).

This abstract is a brief summary of the referenced standard. It is informational only and not an official part of the standard; the full text of the standard itself must be referred to for its use and application. ASTM does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents of this abstract are accurate, complete or up to date.

1. Scope

1.1 This specification covers airworthiness requirements for the design of powered fixed wing light sport aircraft, an “airplane.”

1.2 This specification is applicable to the design of a light sport aircraft/airplane as defined by regulations and limited to VFR flight.

1.3 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

Federal Aviation Regulations

ASTM Standards

Other Standards

EASA Requirements

Index Terms

fixed-wing aircraft; light sport airplane; Airworthiness; BHP (brake horse power); CAS (calibrated air speed); Controllability; Controllability and maneuverability; Design--aircraft materials/applications; Directional control; Drag coefficient (CD); Fixed-wing aircraft; Flight; Ground control stability; Lateral control; Lift coefficient (CL); Light sport airplane (LSA)--specifications; Load distribution limit; Longitudinal control; MAC (mean aerodynamic chord); Maximum empty weight; Performance--aircraft materials/applications; Safety precautions--consumer materials/applications; Stalling speeds; Static longitudinal stability; Takeoff ;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 49.020 (Aircraft and space vehicles in general)

Citing ASTM Standards

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