AC 23-11 - Advisory Circular - Type Certification of Very Light Airplanes with Power-Initiated and Propellers

Oct 29, 2026

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Advisory Circular AC 23-11 provides an acceptable means, not the only means, to demonstrate compliance with Part 23 of the Federal Aviation Regulations for type certification of certain small airplanes. It explains that the guidance is non-mandatory and clarifies how applicants may choose an alternate method if the FAA finds it acceptable. The circular references related regulations across Parts 23, 33, and 35 and outlines background on using JAR-VLA equivalency concepts for certification basis.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages159

Reading Time6 h 41 min

AccessFree to download

Purpose

Related Regulations and Documents

Background

Airplane Type Certification Procedures

Application

AdvIsoryCircular ACNo:23-11 Subject:TYPE CERTIFICATION OF VERY Date:12/2/92LIGHT AIRPLANES WITH POWER-Initiated by:ACE-100PLANTS AND PROPELLERS Change: CERTIFICATED TO PARTS 33 AND 35 OF THE FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATIONS 1. PURPOSE. This advisory circular(AC)provides an acceptablemeans but not the only means of compliance with part 23 of the Federal Aviation Reguiations(FAR)for type certification of certainsmall airplanes. This guidance material is neither mandatory nerregulatory in nature and does not constitute a regulation in itself.It is for guidance purposes and provides an example of a method ofcompliance that has been found acceptable. Because the method ofcompliance presented in this AC is not mandatory,the terms "shal1"and must"used in this AC apply only to an applicant who chooses tofollow this particular method without deviation. The applicant mayelect to follow an alternate method provided the alternate method isalso found acceptable by the FAA. # 2. RELATED REGULATIONS AND DOCUMENTS. a. Section 21.5--Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual. b. Section 21.17--Designation of applicable regulations. c.Section 21.21--Issue of type certificate;normal,utility,acrobatic,commuter,and transport category aircraft;manned freeballoons,special classes of aircraft;aircraft engines;propellers. d. Section 21.29--Issue of type certificate;import products. e. Part 23--Airworthiness standards: normal,utility,acrobatic,and commuter category airplanes. f. Part 33--Airworthiness standards: aircraft engines. g. Part 35--Airworthiness standards: propellers. h.Part 36--Noise standards:aircraft type and airworthinesscertification. i. Part 39--Airworthiness directives. j.Part 43--Maintenance,preventive maintenance,rebuilding,andalteration. AC 23-11 k. Part 45,Subpart C--Nationality and registration marking. # 1.Section 91.9--Civil aircraft flight manual,marking,andplacard requirements. m. Section 91.205--Powered civil aircraft with standard category U.S.airworthiness certificates:Instrument and equipmentrequirements. n. "Flight Test Guide for Certification of Part 23 Airplanes,"Advisory Circular 23-8A,Federal Aviation Administration(FAA),dated February 9,1989. o."Designated Engineering Representatives,"AC 183.29-1Z,FAA,dated July 12,1991. p. "Designated Airworthiness Representatives(DAR's),Designated Alteration Stations(DAS's),and Delegation OptionAuthorization(DOA)Directory,"AC 183-35B,FAA,dated March 7,1989. q. "Equipment,Systems,and Installations in Part 23Airplanes, AC 23.1309-1A,FAA,dated June 3,1992. r."Aircraft Certification Directorate Procedures,"FAA Order8100.5,dated October 1,1982. s. Type Certification,"FAA Order 8110.4,dated December 28,1967. All free AC's may be obtained from the U.S.Department ofTransportation;Utilization and Storage Section,M-443.2,Washington,D.C.20590:Advisory circular(AC)23-8A may beordered from the Superintendent of Documents,U.S.GovernmentPrinting Office,Washington,D.C.20402 or from any of theGovernment Printing Office bookstores located in major citiesthroughout the United States. 3. BACKGROUND. This AC is the result of a cooperative effort ofExperimental Aircraft Association(EAA),the Sport Airplane Manufacturers Association(SAMA),operators of these airplanes,andthe Federal Aviation Administration(FAA):It was proposed to theFA that the requirements of the Joint Aviation Requirements -VeryLight Aircraft(JAR-VLA)as instituted by the Joint AirworthinessAuthorities(JAA)on April 26,1990,would provide an equivalentlevel of safety to the applicable requirements of part 23 as amended by amendment 23-42.In response to this proposal,the FAAreviewed the requirements of the JAR-VLA and the applicable portions of this amendment of part 23. During this review,the FAAfound that there are 225 sections of part 23 that are consideredappropriate for very light airplanes. The JAR-VLA regulatorysections were essentialiy the same as 20

FAQs

What is the purpose of Advisory Circular AC 23-11?

It provides an acceptable means of compliance with Part 23 requirements for type certification of certain small airplanes, while noting it is not the only means.

Are the methods in the advisory circular mandatory for applicants?

No. The guidance is non-mandatory; terms such as “shall” and “must” apply only if the applicant chooses to follow the particular method without deviation.

How does the circular use JAR-VLA in determining a certification basis?

It explains that FAA reviewed JAR-VLA requirements and certain amendments of Part 23, then determined equivalency by analyzing sections that align or differ, using JAR-VLA plus additional Part 23 requirements as the certification basis.

Oct 29, 2026

Upload by dawugda