Normal Category Certification

FAR 23.2005 — Normal Category Certification

FAR 23.2005 defines normal category airplane certification: seating limits, weight, certification levels 1-4, speed categories, and approved maneuvers.

In Plain English

FAR 23.2005 establishes the certification framework for normal category airplanes under Part 23. It applies to airplanes with 19 or fewer passenger seats and a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 19,000 pounds or less.

The rule sorts these airplanes into four certification levels based on seating:

Level 1: 0–1 passengers
Level 2: 2–6 passengers
Level 3: 7–9 passengers
Level 4: 10–19 passengers

It also defines two performance levels:

Low speed: VC/VD ≤ 250 KCAS and M ≤ 0.6
High speed: VC/VD > 250 KCAS or M > 0.6

Airplanes not certified for aerobatics may still perform maneuvers incident to normal flying, including stalls (except whip stalls) and lazy eights, chandelles, and steep turns with bank angles not exceeding 60°. Airplanes certified for aerobatics may perform maneuvers without limitations, except those set in subpart G.

This matters because it tells pilots what category their airplane falls in and which maneuvers are legally and structurally permissible.

Regulation Text

14 CFR § 23.2005

§ 23.2005 Certification of normal category airplanes. (a) Certification in the normal category applies to airplanes with a passenger-seating configuration of 19 or less and a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 19,000 pounds or less. (b) Airplane certification levels are: (1) Level 1—for airplanes with a maximum seating configuration of 0 to 1 passengers. (2) Level 2—for airplanes with a maximum seating configuration of 2 to 6 passengers. (3) Level 3—for airplanes with a maximum seating configuration of 7 to 9 passengers. (4) Level 4—for airplanes with a maximum seating configuration of 10 to 19 passengers. (c) Airplane performance levels are: (1) Low speed—for airplanes with a Vand V≤ 250 Knots Calibrated Airspeed (KCAS) and a M≤ 0.6. (2) High speed—for airplanes with a Vor V> 250 KCAS or a M> 0.6. (d) Airplanes not certified for aerobatics may be used to perform any maneuver incident to normal flying, including— (1) Stalls (except whip stalls); and (2) Lazy eights, chandelles, and steep turns, in which the angle of bank is not more than 60 degrees. (e) Airplanes certified for aerobatics may be used to perform maneuvers without limitations, other than those limitations established under subpart G of this part.

Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1What defines a normal category airplane under Part 23?

Per FAR 23.2005(a), a normal category airplane has a passenger-seating configuration of 19 or fewer and a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 19,000 pounds or less.

Q2In a normal category airplane not certified for aerobatics, what maneuvers are you allowed to perform?

Under FAR 23.2005(d), you may perform maneuvers incident to normal flying, including stalls (except whip stalls), lazy eights, chandelles, and steep turns with bank angles not exceeding 60 degrees.

Q3How are Part 23 normal category airplanes categorized by certification level?

FAR 23.2005(b) sets four levels by seating: Level 1 (0–1 passengers), Level 2 (2–6), Level 3 (7–9), and Level 4 (10–19 passengers).

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Related Sections in Part 23

§ 23.1457

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