---
kind: "section"
citation: "14 C.F.R. § 21.35"
title: "14"
number: "21.35"
heading: "Flight tests."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/14/21.35"
---

# §21.35. Flight tests.

- (a) Each applicant for an aircraft type certificate (other than under [§§ 21.24 through 21.29](/cfr/14/21.24..21.29.md)) must make the tests listed in [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section. Before making the tests the applicant must show—
  - (1) Compliance with the applicable structural requirements of this subchapter;
  - (2) Completion of necessary ground inspections and tests;
  - (3) That the aircraft conforms with the type design; and
  - (4) That the FAA received a flight test report from the applicant (signed, in the case of aircraft to be certificated under [Part 25](/cfr/14/part25.md) [New] of this chapter, by the applicant's test pilot) containing the results of his tests.
- (b) Upon showing compliance with [paragraph (a)](#a) of this section, the applicant must make all flight tests that the FAA finds necessary—
  - (1) To determine compliance with the applicable requirements of this subchapter; and
  - (2) For aircraft to be certificated under this subchapter, except gliders and low-speed, certification level 1 or 2 airplanes, as defined in [part 23](/cfr/14/part23.md) of this chapter, to determine whether there is reasonable assurance that the aircraft, its components, and its equipment are reliable and function properly.
- (c) Each applicant must, if practicable, make the tests prescribed in [paragraph (b)(2)](#b-2) of this section upon the aircraft that was used to show compliance with—
  - (1) [Paragraph (b)(1)](#b-1) of this section; and
  - (2) For rotorcraft, the rotor drive endurance tests prescribed in [§ 27.923](/cfr/14/27.923.md) or [§ 29.923](/cfr/14/29.923.md) of this chapter, as applicable.
- (d) Each applicant must show for each flight test (except in a glider or a manned free balloon) that adequate provision is made for the flight test crew for emergency egress and the use of parachutes.
- (e) Except in gliders and manned free balloons, an applicant must discontinue flight tests under this section until he shows that corrective action has been taken, whenever—
  - (1) The applicant's test pilot is unable or unwilling to make any of the required flight tests; or
  - (2) Items of noncompliance with requirements are found that may make additional test data meaningless or that would make further testing unduly hazardous.
- (f) The flight tests prescribed in [paragraph (b)(2)](#b-2) of this section must include—
  - (1) For aircraft incorporating turbine engines of a type not previously used in a type certificated aircraft, at least 300 hours of operation with a full complement of engines that conform to a type certificate; and
  - (2) **For all other aircraft, at least 150 hours of operation.**

## Notes

### Amendments

[Doc. No. 5085, 29 FR 14564, Oct. 24, 1964, as amended by Amdt. 21-40, 39 FR 35459, Oct. 1, 1974; Amdt. 21-51, 45 FR 60170, Sept. 11, 1980; Amdt. 21-70, 57 FR 41368, Sept. 9, 1992; Amdt. 21-95, 76 FR 64233, Oct. 18, 2011; Doc. No. FAA-2015-1621, Amdt. 21-100, 81 FR 96689, Dec. 30, 2016]

### Source

Source: Docket No. 5085, 29 FR 14564, Oct. 24, 1964, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7572; 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40105, 40113, 44701-44702, 44704, 44707, 44709, 44711, 44713, 44715, 45303.

### Amendments

[Doc. No. 5085, 29 FR 14564, Oct. 24, 1964, as amended by Amdt. 21-40, 39 FR 35459, Oct. 1, 1974; Amdt. 21-51, 45 FR 60170, Sept. 11, 1980; Amdt. 21-70, 57 FR 41368, Sept. 9, 1992; Amdt. 21-95, 76 FR 64233, Oct. 18, 2011; Doc. No. FAA-2015-1621, Amdt. 21-100, 81 FR 96689, Dec. 30, 2016]