FAR 23.2155 — Ground and Water Handling
FAR 23.2155 requires Part 23 airplanes operated on land or water to have controllable longitudinal and directional handling during taxi, takeoff, and landing.
FAR 23.2155 is an airworthiness standard for Part 23 airplanes (normal category) that operate on land or water. It requires the airplane to have controllable longitudinal (pitch/fore-aft) and directional (yaw/steering) handling characteristics during three specific phases of operation:
- Taxi — moving on the ground or water surface
- Takeoff — accelerating and lifting off
- Landing — touchdown and rollout
Why it matters operationally: this rule ensures that when you're on the surface — whether on a runway or floats — you can keep the airplane tracking where you want it and prevent uncontrolled pitching, swerving, or weathervaning. For pilots, this is the certification basis behind the predictable steering, braking, and water-handling behavior you rely on. It applies to both landplanes and seaplanes/amphibians certified under Part 23. While this is a design standard rather than a pilot operating rule, understanding it helps you appreciate that controllability margins are built into the airplane — but they still require proper technique in crosswinds, on slick surfaces, or in choppy water.