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CHAPTER 4. AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS
14. OPERATING LIMITATIONS.
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Operating limitations are imposed for the safety of pilots and their passengers. Operations contrary to these restrictions are a serious compromise of safety. It is, therefore, most important that all pilots, flight and ground instructors, and pilot examiners apply the following information on spinning to pilot training and flight operations. a. Normal Category. Single engine normal category airplanes are placarded against intentional spins. However, to provide a margin of safety when recovery from a stall is delayed, these airplanes are tested during certification and must be able to recover from a one turn spin or a 3 second spin, whichever takes longer, in not more than one additional turn with the controls used in the manner normally used for recovery. In addition: (1) For both the flaps retracted and flaps extended conditions, the applicable airspeed limit and positive limit maneuvering load factor may not be exceeded. For the flaps extended condition, the flaps may be retracted during recovery; (2) There may be no excessive back pressure during the spin recovery; and |
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(3) It must be impossible to obtain uncontrollable spins with any use of the controls.
NOTE: Since airplanes certificated in the normal category have not been tested for more than a one turn or 3 second spin, their performance characteristics beyond these limits are unknown. This is the reason they are placarded against intentional spins.
b. Acrobatic Category. An acrobatic category airplane must meet the following requirements:
(1) The airplane must recover from any point in a spin, in not more than one and one-half additional turns after normal recovery application of the controls. Prior to normal recovery application of the controls, the spin test must proceed for six turns or 3 seconds, whichever takes longer, with flaps retracted, and one turn or 3 seconds, whichever takes longer, with flaps extended. However, beyond 3 seconds, the spin may be discontinued when spiral characteristics appear with flaps retracted.
(2) For both the flaps retracted and flaps extended conditions, the applicable airspeed limit and the positive limit maneuvering load factor may not be exceeded. For the flaps extended condition, the flaps may be retracted during recovery, if a placard is installed prohibiting intentional spins with flaps extended.
(3) It must be impossible to obtain uncontrollable spins with any use of the controls.
NOTE: Since airplanes certificated in the acrobatic category have not been tested for more than six turns or 3 seconds, their performance characteristics beyond these limits are unknown.
c. Utility Category. A utility category airplane must meet the requirements for either the normal or acrobatic category.
15. PLACARDS.
Under FAR Section 23.1567, all airplanes type certificated under FAR Part 23 must have a flight maneuver placard containing the following information:
a. For normal category airplanes, there must be a placard in front of and in clear view of the pilot stating: "No acrobatic maneuvers, including spins, approved."
b. Additionally, for those utility category airplanes, with a certification basis after March 1978 and that do not meet the spin requirements for acrobatic category airplanes, there must be an additional placard in clear view of the pilot stating: "Spins Prohibited."
c. For acrobatic category airplanes, there must be a placard in clear view of the pilot listing the approved acrobatic maneuvers and the recommended entry airspeed for each. If inverted flight maneuvers are not approved, the placard must include a notation to this effect.
16. PILOT AWARENESS.
The pilot of an airplane placarded against intentional spins should assume that the airplane may become uncontrollable in a spin. In addition, stall warning devices should not be deactivated for pilot certification flight tests in airplanes for which they are required equipment.
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