Standard Specification for Structural Durability for Small Aeroplanes

1.1 This specification addresses the airworthiness requirements related to structural durability for the design of small aeroplanes. The material was developed through open consensus of international experts in general aviation. This information was created by focusing on Levels 1 through 4 Normal Category aeroplanes. The content may be more broadly applicable; it is the responsibility of the applicant to substantiate broader applicability as a specific means of compliance.

1.2 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 Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs), including the guidance noted in Appendix X2, Guidance Material) 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 referred to as “the Rules”), refer to ASTM Committee F44 webpage (www.astm.org/COMMITTEE/F44.htm). Appendix X3 maps the Means of Compliance of the ASTM standards to EASA CS-23, amendment 5, or later, and FAA 14 CFR 23, amendment 64, or later, Structural Durability requirements of 23.2240.

1.3 Units—This document 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.

1.4 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.

1.5 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.