EASA CS-23
EASA certification specification for light aeroplanes up to 19 seats.
EASA CS-23 sets the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s certification standards for normal, utility, aerobatic, and commuter aeroplanes. It covers light aircraft with up to nine seats (excluding pilots) and a maximum take-off mass of 5,670 kg (12,500 lbs) in the normal, utility, or aerobatic categories, and up to 19 seats (excluding pilots) and 8,618 kg (19,000 lbs) in the commuter category. The regulation prescribes specific maneuvers per category: normal category allows normal flight, stalls, chandelles, lazy eights, and steep turns up to 60° bank; utility category adds spins (if approved) and bank angles up to 90°; aerobatic category has no maneuver limitations; and commuter category permits normal flight, stalls, and steep turns up to 60° bank. Aircraft not certified in the commuter category may be certified for multiple categories. These specifications are “soft law” and not legally binding, so manufacturers can apply for exemptions. If a manufacturer demonstrates compliance with all points, the certification authority issues a type certificate.
- Maximum seats normal utility aerobatic
- 9 (excluding pilot(s))
- Maximum take off mass normal utility aer
- 5,670 kg (12,500 lbs)
- Maximum seats commuter
- 19 (excluding pilot(s))
- Maximum take off mass commuter
- 8,618 kg (19,000 lbs)
- Maneuvers normal
- Normal flight, no aerobatics; stalls; chandelles, lazy eights, steep turns with max bank 60°
- Maneuvers utility
- As Normal, but bank angles up to 90°; spins if approved by manufacturer
- Maneuvers aerobatic
- No limitations imposed by the certification regulation
- Maneuvers commuter
- Normal flight, stalls, steep turns with bank angles up to 60°
Lore & Background
CS-23 applies to light aircraft in four categories: Normal, Utility, Aerobatic, and Commuter. Normal category aeroplanes have a maximum of 9 seats and a maximum take-off mass of 5,670 kg, while Commuter category aeroplanes allow up to 19 seats and a maximum take-off mass of 8,618 kg. The specification prescribes specific maneuvers for each category, such as bank angle limits and spin approval. Aircraft not certified in the commuter category can be certified for multiple categories. Certification Specifications are 'soft law', which is not legally binding, and manufacturers may apply for exemptions from CS-23 where necessary.
Reader's Guide
CS-23 serves as the foundational certification specification for light aeroplanes in Europe, defining the minimum requirements for type certification. Its significance lies in categorizing aircraft by seat count and mass, and prescribing maneuver limitations that vary by category—from normal flight only in the Normal category to no limitations in the Aerobatic category. The specification allows manufacturers to certify an aircraft for multiple categories if not in the commuter category. As 'soft law', CS-23 is not legally binding, permitting manufacturers to seek exemptions. This flexibility distinguishes it from hard regulations, while still providing a structured framework for safety and performance. Its legacy is as a key reference for light aircraft certification, alongside related specifications like CS-LSA, CS-VLA, and CS-25 for larger aeroplanes.
Did You Know?
- CS-23 applies to aeroplanes with a maximum of 9 seats (excluding pilot(s)) in normal, utility, or aerobatic categories.
- Commuter category aeroplanes under CS-23 have a maximum of 19 seats and a maximum take-off mass of 8,618 kg.
- Certification Specifications like CS-23 are 'soft law' and not legally binding.
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