CERTIFICATION OF COMPOSITES IN CIVIL AIRCRAFT

The FAA has completed a project to review the regulatory implications associated with the use of fibrous composite materials in civil aircraft. The results are reflected in FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 20-107, Composite Aircraft Structure. The composite material evaluation criteria presented therein are reviewed relative to commercial helicopter applications. This paper raises related issues wherein the application of this evaluation criteria and Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) 27 and 29 may need special attention. It provides examples of civil applications of composites and summarizes the overall in-service performance with these applications.