14 CFR Part 23eCFR Sep 29, 2026
Subpart A
General
3 Sections§§ 23.2000–23.2010
§ 23.2000 Applicability and definitions.
This part prescribes airworthiness standards for the issuance of type certificates, and changes to those certificates, for airplanes in the normal category.
For the purposes of this part, the following definition applies:
Continued safe flight and landing means an airplane is capable of continued controlled flight and landing, possibly using emergency procedures, without requiring exceptional pilot skill or strength. Upon landing, some airplane damage may occur as a result of a failure condition.
§ 23.2005 Certification of normal category airplanes.
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.
Airplane certification levels are:
Level 1—for airplanes with a maximum seating configuration of 0 to 1 passengers.
Level 2—for airplanes with a maximum seating configuration of 2 to 6 passengers.
Level 3—for airplanes with a maximum seating configuration of 7 to 9 passengers.
Level 4—for airplanes with a maximum seating configuration of 10 to 19 passengers.
Airplane performance levels are:
Low speed—for airplanes with a VNO and VMO ≤ 250 Knots Calibrated Airspeed (KCAS) and a MMO ≤ 0.6.
High speed—for airplanes with a VNO or VMO > 250 KCAS or a MMO > 0.6.
Airplanes not certified for aerobatics may be used to perform any maneuver incident to normal flying, including—
Stalls (except whip stalls); and
Lazy eights, chandelles, and steep turns, in which the angle of bank is not more than 60 degrees.
Airplanes certified for aerobatics may be used to perform maneuvers without limitations, other than those limitations established under subpart G of this part.
§ 23.2010 Accepted means of compliance.
An applicant must comply with this part using a means of compliance, which may include consensus standards, accepted by the Administrator.
An applicant requesting acceptance of a means of compliance must provide the means of compliance to the FAA in a form and manner acceptable to the Administrator.