Skip to Main Content
FlightPushFLIGHTPUSH
Part 25

Learn

Dashboard My Courses Mastery Map Practice Flight Bag

Resources

CFR & AIM FAA Orders Handbooks & Guides Certification Standards Pilot/Controller Glossary Advisory Circulars Legal Interpretations
Safety Center
Articles Trust Center
Help Center FAQ Status
  1. Reference Library
  2. CFR & AIM
  3. CFR
  4. Part 25
  5. § 25.509
Loading
flightpush.co home
Loading reference

14 CFR · Part 25

14 CFR § 25.509

Towing loads.

← Previous SectionNext Section →
Read in Subpart C
Part 25 Contents
  • Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 13
  • Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 109
  • Subpart A: General
  • Subpart B: Flight
  • Subpart C: Structure
  • Subpart D: Design and Construction
  • Subpart E: Powerplant
  • Subpart F: Equipment
  • Subpart G: Operating Limitations and Information
  • Subpart H: Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems (EWIS)
  • Subpart I: Special Federal Aviation Regulations
  • Appendix A to Part 25
  • Appendix B to Part 25
  • Appendix C to Part 25
  • Appendix D to Part 25
  • Appendix E to Part 25
  • Appendix F to Part 25
  • Appendix H to Part 25: Instructions for Continued Airworthiness
  • Appendix I to Part 25: Installation of an Automatic Takeoff Thrust Control System (ATTCS)
  • Appendix J to Part 25: Emergency Evacuation
  • Appendix K to Part 25: Extended Operations (ETOPS)
  • Appendix L to Part 25: HIRF Environments and Equipment HIRF Test Levels
  • Appendix M to Part 25: Fuel Tank System Flammability Reduction Means
  • Appendix N to Part 25: Fuel Tank Flammability Exposure and Reliability Analysis
  • Appendix O to Part 25: Supercooled Large Drop Icing Conditions
(a)

The towing loads specified in paragraph (d) of this section must be considered separately. These loads must be applied at the towing fittings and must act parallel to the ground. In addition—

(1)

A vertical load factor equal to 1.0 must be considered acting at the center of gravity;

(2)

The shock struts and tires must be in their static positions; and

(3)

With WT as the design ramp weight, the towing load, FTOW, is—

(i)

0.3 WT for WT less than 30,000 pounds;

(ii)

(6WT + 450,000)/70 for WT between 30,000 and 100,000 pounds; and

(iii)

0.15 WT for WT over 100,000 pounds.

(b)

For towing points not on the landing gear but near the plane of symmetry of the airplane, the drag and side tow load components specified for the auxiliary gear apply. For towing points located outboard of the main gear, the drag and side tow load components specified for the main gear apply. Where the specified angle of swivel cannot be reached, the maximum obtainable angle must be used.

(c)

The towing loads specified in paragraph (d) of this section must be reacted as follows:

(1)

The side component of the towing load at the main gear must be reacted by a side force at the static ground line of the wheel to which the load is applied.

(2)

The towing loads at the auxiliary gear and the drag components of the towing loads at the main gear must be reacted as follows:

(i)

A reaction with a maximum value equal to the vertical reaction must be applied at the axle of the wheel to which the load is applied. Enough airplane inertia to achieve equilibrium must be applied.

(ii)

The loads must be reacted by airplane inertia.

(d)

The prescribed towing loads are as follows:

Tow pointPositionLoad
MagnitudeNo.Direction
Main gear0.75 F TOW per main gear unit1 2 3 4Forward, parallel to drag axis. Forward, at 30° to drag axis. Aft, parallel to drag axis. Aft, at 30° to drag axis.
Auxiliary gearSwiveled forward1.0 F TOW5 6Forward. Aft.
Swiveled aft......do7 8Forward. Aft.
Swiveled 45° from forward0.5 F TOW9 10Forward, in plane of wheel. Aft, in plane of wheel.
Swiveled 45° from aft......do11 12Forward, in plane of wheel. Aft, in plane of wheel.

Reflects the eCFR edition current as of September 29, 2026. Retrieved from ecfr.gov on October 16, 2026.

Primary Source

  • Official Source (14 CFR · Part 25)