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App. A (18)UASAll, except production flight testing

FAA Order 8130.34D — UAS Operating Limitation A-18

Appendix A · p. A-4

Following satisfactory completion of initial flight testing, the operations manager or chief pilot must certify in the aircraft records that the UA has been shown to comply with with the following, or a similarly worded, statement: I certify that the prescribed flight test has been completed and the aircraft is controllable throughout its normal range of speeds and throughout all maneuvers to be executed, has no hazardous operating characteristics or design features, and is safe for operation. The following aircraft operating data has been demonstrated during the flight testing: speeds Vx ______, and Vy ______, and the weight ______ and CG location ______ at which they were obtained.

Order notes

This limitation is not applicable to UAS in the Group I category in appendix E to this order. For UAS without an airspeed indicator or airspeed display, the last sentence should be omitted from the operating limitation since there is no means to determine Vx and Vy. Following the successful completion of initial flight testing, this limitation may be omitted for recurrent certifications.

🧭 Guidance & sample wording

What “satisfactory completion” requires

The UA has been shown to comply with : controllable throughout its normal range of speeds and all maneuvers to be executed, with no hazardous operating characteristics or design features, as demonstrated during initial flight testing.

Prescribed certification statement (from the order — use verbatim or similarly worded)

I certify that the prescribed flight test has been completed and the aircraft is controllable throughout its normal range of speeds and throughout all maneuvers to be executed, has no hazardous operating characteristics or design features, and is safe for operation. The following aircraft operating data has been demonstrated during the flight testing: speeds Vx ______, and Vy ______, and the weight ______ and CG location ______ at which they were obtained.

Caveats (from the order)

Not applicable to Group I UAS (appendix E). If the UAS has no airspeed indicator or display, omit the last sentence (no way to determine Vx/Vy). After initial flight testing is complete, this limitation may be omitted on recurrent certifications.
Related CFR
Preparation support, not an FAA determination. The determination and record entry are made by the operator or authorized person; the FAA prescribes the final limitations on the FAA Form 8130-7.

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This is a free reference reproducing public-domain text from FAA Order 8130.34D. AWCReady is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA. This is one of the order’s sample limitations; the limitations an aircraft actually receives are prescribed by the FAA on FAA Form 8130-7 — AWCReady prepares and organizes; the FAA determines every outcome.