Certification of Civil Composite Aircraft Structure

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Advisory Circular AC 20-107, Composite Aircraft Structure, provides guidance material for use in showing compliance with the applicable Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR). The composite material evaluation criteria presented therein is reviewed relative to state-of-the-art aircraft applications. This paper raises related issues wherein the application of this evaluation criteria and the FAR may need special consideration. Areas needing additional attention are discussed and specific recommendations for improved approaches are outlined. Examples of civil applications of composite materials are provided.