§ 23.181 - Dynamic stability.

§ 23.181 Dynamic stability.

(a) Any short period oscillation not including combined lateral-directional oscillations occurring between the stalling speed and the maximum allowable speed appropriate to the configuration of the airplane must be heavily damped with the primary controls -

(1) Free; and

(2) In a fixed position.

(b) Any combined lateral-directional oscillations (Dutch roll) occurring between the stalling speed and the maximum allowable speed (V_FE, V_LE, V_N0, V_FC/M_FC) appropriate to the configuration of the airplane with the primary controls in both free and fixed position, must be damped to 1⁄10 amplitude in:

(1) Seven (7) cycles below 18,000 feet and

(2) Thirteen (13) cycles from 18,000 feet to the certified maximum altitude.

(c) If it is determined that the function of a stability augmentation system, reference § 23.672, is needed to meet the flight characteristic requirements of this part, the primary control requirements of paragraphs (a)(2) and (b)(2) of this section are not applicable to the tests needed to verify the acceptability of that system.

(d) During the conditions as specified in § 23.175, when the longitudinal control force required to maintain speeds differing from the trim speed by at least plus and minus 15 percent is suddenly released, the response of the airplane must not exhibit any dangerous characteristics nor be excessive in relation to the magnitude of the control force released. Any long-period oscillation of flight path, phugoid oscillation, that results must not be so unstable as to increase the pilot's workload or otherwise endanger the airplane.

[Amdt. 23-21, 43 FR 2318, Jan. 16, 1978, as amended by Amdt. 23-45, 58 FR 42158, Aug. 6, 1993; Amdt. 23-62, 76 FR 75755, Dec. 2, 2011]