A new ASTM standard addresses airworthiness requirements for design loads and conditions of small aircraft. The goals of the standard (soon to be published as F3116, Specification for Design Loads and Conditions) are to help increase safety, lower certification costs and support innovation.

A range of aircraft—from lightweight propeller-driven to light business jets—will be covered by the standard. ASTM says it will serve as a globally acceptable means of compliance for the loads aspects of design and certification.

“People who design and certify airplanes will benefit greatly from this standard, particularly those who calculate design loads for which aircraft structural integrity is designed,” says ASTM member and task group Chairman Richard Manwell, a senior engineering specialist in aerosciences at Textron Aviation.

Manwell says that the standard will allow faster implementation of technological advances into the regulatory environment. Regulatory bodies will also be able to accept the standard as a recognized and approved means of compliance to the safety intent of their regulations.

F3116 was developed by Subcommittee F44.30 on Structures.