AC 20-107A 4/25/84
1
U.S. Department ADVISORY
of Transportation
Federal Aviation CIRCULAR
Administration
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Subject: COMPOSITE AIRCRAFT STRUCTURE Date: 4/25/84 AC No: 20-107A
Initiated by: AWS-103 Change:
__________________________________________
1. PURPOSE. This advisory circular sets forth an acceptable, but not the only, means of showing
compliance with the provisions of Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), Parts 23, 25, 27, and 29
regarding airworthiness type certification requirements for composite aircraft structures, involving
fiber reinforced materials, e.g., carbon (graphite), boron, aramid (Kevlar), and glass reinforced
plastics. Guidance information is also presented on associated quality control and repair aspects.
2. CANCELLATION. AC 20-107, Composite Aircraft Structure dated July 10, 1978, is
canceled.
3. REGULATIONS AFFECTED. The material contained herein applies to normal, utility,
acrobatic, and transport category aircraft type certificated under Civil Aviation Regulations
(CARs) 3, 4b, 6, 7; and FARs 23, 25, 27, 29; and produced in compliance with FAR Part 21,
sections 21.125, or 21.143 as may be appropriate. The individual FARs applicable to each
paragraph are listed in Appendix 1 of this advisory circular.
4. GENERAL
a. The procedures outlined in this advisory circular provide guidance material for
composite structures and are considered acceptable to the FAA for showing compliance with
certification requirements of civil composite aircraft. This circular is published to aid in the
evaluation of certification programs for composite applications and reflects the current status of
composite technology. It is expected that this circular will be modified periodically to reflect
technology advances. The information contained herein is for guidance purposes and is not
mandatory nor regulatory in nature.
b. The extent of testing and/or analysis and the degree of environmental accountability
required will differ for each structure depending upon the expected service usage, the material
selected, the design margins, the failure criteria, the data base and experience with similar
structures, and on other factors affecting a particular structure. It is expected that these factors
will be considered when interpreting this advisory circular for use on a specific application.
c. Pertinent definitions are given in Appendix 2.
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