Download the PDF consolidation of Part 21 [PDF 439 KB]
(a) Subject to paragraph (c), the standard category airworthiness design standards are—
(1) any of the following Federal Aviation Regulations issued by the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States of America:
(i) Part 23 — Airworthiness Standards: Normal, Utility, Acrobatic, and Commuter Category Aeroplanes, excluding 23.785(a) and 23.807(b)(5):
(ii) Part 25 — Airworthiness Standards: Transport Category Aeroplanes:
(iii) Part 27 — Airworthiness Standards: Normal Category Rotorcraft:
(iv) Part 29 — Airworthiness Standards: Transport Category Rotorcraft:
(v) Part 31 — Airworthiness Standards: Manned Free Balloons:
(vi) Part 33 — Airworthiness Standards: Aircraft Engines:
(vii) Part 35 — Airworthiness Standards: Propellers; or
(2) a set of airworthiness design standards that the Director determines—
(i) comply with ICAO Annex 8; and
(ii) provide an equivalent level of safety to those airworthiness design standards specified in paragraph (a)(1).
(b) Subject to paragraph (c), the restricted category airworthiness design standards are—
(1) any of the design standards specified in paragraph (a), and any relevant standards specified in paragraphs (d) and (e), excluding those requirements that the Director determines inappropriate for the purpose for which the aircraft is to be used; or
(2) a set of airworthiness design standards that the Director determines appropriate for the purpose for which the aircraft is to be used.
(c) The airworthiness design standard for a standard category or a restricted category aircraft must include a flight manual that contains—
(1) the operating limitations and information required to be provided by the applicable airworthiness design standard, in the form of a manual, markings, or placards; and
(2) for an aeroplane and rotorcraft, the maximum ambient atmospheric temperatures for which engine cooling was demonstrated, in the performance information section of the flight manual; and
(3) the information required under rule 21.32 in the form of a certificate or a page in the flight manual.
(d) The standard category aircraft noise standards are—
(1) the standards specified in the applicable chapter of ICAO Annex 16 Volume I except that —
(i) after 30 June 2003 every subsonic turbojet and turbofan powered aeroplanes must comply with the standards specified in Chapter 3 of Annex 16 Volume I; and
(ii) if a higher standard has been specified in the aircraft type certificate, noise certificate or equivalent document, then that standard applies; or
(2) a set of equivalent airworthiness design standards acceptable to the Director.
(e) The standard category aircraft engine emission standards are—
(1) the standards specified in the applicable chapter of ICAO Annex 16 Volume II; or
(2) a set of equivalent airworthiness design standards acceptable to the Director.
