FAR 23.2250 — Design and Construction Principles

FAR 23.2250 establishes the baseline design and construction principles that manufacturers must follow when certifying small airplanes under Part 23. While this is a certification rule (not an operating rule), understanding it helps you appreciate why your airplane behaves the way it does and why certain systems are built to specific standards.

Key requirements the applicant (manufacturer) must meet:

• Expected operating conditions: Every part, article, and assembly must be designed for the conditions the airplane will actually encounter.
• Design data: Documentation must clearly define configuration, design features, and materials/processes used.
• Safety-critical details: Each design detail and part with an important bearing on safety must be shown to be suitable.
• Control system integrity: Controls must be free from jamming, excessive friction, and excessive deflection under expected limit airloads.
• Doors, canopies, and exits: Must be protected against inadvertent opening in flight, unless opening in flight creates no hazard.

Operationally, this is why your control checks ("free and correct") and door/latch checks during preflight matter — the airplane is certified assuming those systems work as designed.