Skip to content

A gradual release of Avioverse begins in October 2026. Request early access →

CS 25.253 High-speed characteristics

Large Aeroplanes (CS-25) · CS-25 · EAR revision 26 Jan 2023

IRImplementing rule

CS 25.253High-speed characteristics

(a)Speed increase and recovery characteristics. The following speed increase and recovery characteristics must be met:

(1)Operating conditions and characteristics likely to cause inadvertent speed increases (including upsets in pitch and roll) must be simulated with the aeroplane trimmed at any likely cruise speed up to VMO/MMO. These conditions and characteristics include gust upsets, inadvertent control movements, low stick force gradient in relation to control friction, passenger movement, levelling off from climb, and descent from Mach to air speed limit altitudes.

(2)Allowing for pilot reaction time after effective inherent or artificial speed warning occurs, it must be shown that the aeroplane can be recovered to a normal attitude and its speed reduced to VMO/MMO, without –

(i)Exceptional piloting strength or skill;

(ii)Exceeding VD/MD, VDF/MDF, or the structural limitations; and

(iii)Buffeting that would impair the pilot’s ability to read the instruments or control the aeroplane for recovery.

(3)With the aeroplane trimmed at any speed up to VMO/MMO, there must be no reversal of the response to control input about any axis at any speed up to VDF/MDF. Any tendency to pitch, roll, or yaw must be mild and readily controllable, using normal piloting techniques. When the aeroplane is trimmed at VMO/MMO, the slope of the elevator control force versus speed curve need not be stable at speeds greater than VFC/MFC, but there must be a push force at all speeds up to VDF/MDF and there must be no sudden or excessive reduction of elevator control force as VDF/MDF is reached.

(4)Adequate roll capability to assure a prompt recovery from a lateral upset condition must be available at any speed up to VDF/MDF. (See AMC 25.253(a)(4).)

(5)Extension of speedbrakes. With the aeroplane trimmed at VMO/MMO, extension of the speedbrakes over the available range of movements of the pilots control, at all speeds above VMO/MMO, but not so high that VDF/MDF would be exceeded during the manoeuvre, must not result in:

(i)An excessive positive load factor when the pilot does not take action to counteract the effects of extension;

(ii)Buffeting that would impair the pilot’s ability to read the instruments or control the aeroplane for recovery; or

(iii)A nose-down pitching moment, unless it is small. (See AMC 25.253(a)(5).)

(6)Reserved

(b)Maximum speed for stability characteristics, VFC/MFC. VFC/MFC is the maximum speed at which the requirements of CS 25.143(g), 25.147(f), 25.175(b)(1), 25.177(a) through (c), and 25.181 must be met with wing-flaps and landing gear retracted. Except as noted in CS 25.253(c), VFC/MFC may not be less than a speed midway between VMO/MMO and VDF/MDF, except that, for altitudes where Mach Number is the limiting factor, MFC need not exceed the Mach Number at which effective speed warning occurs.

(c)Maximum speed for stability characteristics in icing conditions. The maximum speed for stability characteristics with the most critical of the ice accretions defined in Appendices C and O, as applicable, in accordance with CS 25.21(g), at which the requirements of CS 25.143(g), 25.147(f), 25.175(b)(1), 25.177(a) through (c) and 25.181 must be met, is the lower of:

(1)556 km/h (300 knots) CAS,

(2)VFC, or

(3)A speed at which it is demonstrated that the airframe will be free of ice accretion due to the effects of increased dynamic pressure."

[Amdt. 25/3]

[Amdt 25/11]

[Amdt 25/16]

[Amdt 25/18]

IR · CS 25.253 — CS-25 · ED Decision 2016/010/R · CS-25 Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 26 Jan 2023

AMCAcceptable means of compliance

AMC 25.253(a)(4)Lateral Control: Roll Capability

Show the text

An acceptable method of demonstrating compliance with CS 25.253(a)(4) is as follows: 1 Establish a steady 20° banked turn at a speed close to VDF/MDF limited to the extent necessary to accomplish the following manoeuvre and recovery without exceeding VDF/MDF. Using lateral control alone, it should be demonstrated that the aeroplane can be rolled to 20° bank angle in the other direction in not more than 8 seconds. The demonstration should be made in the most adverse direction. The manoeuvre may be unchecked. 2 For aeroplanes that exhibit an adverse effect on roll rate when rudder is used, it should also be demonstrated that use of rudder in a conventional manner will not result in a roll capability significantly below that specified above. 3 Conditions for 1 and 2: Wing-flaps retracted. Speedbrakes retracted and extended. Landing gear retracted. Trim. The aeroplane trimmed for straight flight at VMO/MMO. The trimming controls should not be moved during the manoeuvre. Power:

(i)All engines operating at the power required to maintain level flight at VMO/MMO, except that maximum continuous power need not be exceeded; and

(ii)if the effect of power is significant, with the throttles closed.

AMC · AMC 25.253(a)(4) — CS-25 · ED Decision 2003/2/RM · CS-25 Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 26 Jan 2023

AMCAcceptable means of compliance

AMC 25.253(a)(5)High Speed Characteristics

Show the text

Extension of Speedbrakes. The following guidance is provided to clarify the meaning of the words “the available range of movements of the pilot’s control” in CS 25.253(a)(5) and to provide guidance for demonstrating compliance with this requirement. Normally, the available range of movements of the pilot’s control includes the full physical range of movements of the speedbrake control (i.e., from stop to stop). Under some circumstances, however, the available range of the pilot’s control may be restricted to a lesser range associated with in-flight use of the speedbrakes. A means to limit the available range of movement to an in-flight range may be acceptable if it provides an unmistakable tactile cue to the pilot when the control reaches the maximum allowable in-flight position, and compliance with CS 25.697(b) is shown for positions beyond the in-flight range. Additionally, the applicant's recommended procedures and training must be consistent with the intent to limit the in-flight range of movements of the speedbrake control. CS 25.697(b) requires that lift and drag devices intended for ground operation only must have means to prevent the inadvertent operation of their controls in flight if that operation could be hazardous. If speedbrake operation is limited to an in-flight range, operation beyond the in-flight range of available movement of the speedbrake control must be shown to be not hazardous. Two examples of acceptable unmistakable tactile cues for limiting the in-flight range are designs incorporating either a gate, or incorporating both a detent and a substantial increase in force to move the control beyond the detent. It is not an acceptable means of compliance to restrict the use of, or available range of, the pilot’s control solely by means of an aeroplane Flight Manual limitation or procedural means. The effect of extension of speedbrakes may be evaluated during other high speed testing and during the development of emergency descent procedures. It may be possible to infer compliance with CS 25.253(a)(5) by means of this testing. To aid in determining compliance with the qualitative requirements of this rule, the following quantitative values may be used as a generally acceptable means of compliance. A load factor should be regarded as excessive if it exceeds 2.0. A nose-down pitching moment may be regarded as small if it necessitates an incremental control force of less than 89 N (20 lbf) to maintain 1g flight. These values may not be appropriate for all aeroplanes, and depend on the characteristics of the particular aeroplane design in high speed flight. Other means of compliance may be acceptable, provided that the Agency finds that compliance has been shown to the qualitative requirements specified in CS 25.253(a)(5).

AMC · AMC 25.253(a)(5) — CS-25 · ED Decision 2003/2/RM · CS-25 Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 26 Jan 2023

All rules in SUBPART B – FLIGHT

Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 26 Jan 2023, extracted 17 Aug 2026) for convenience. Not the official publication — verify against the Official Journal of the European Union and the EASA publications before operational use.

Ask Metis about CS 25.253 →

Metis opens with Avioverse in October 2026 · request early access.