14 CFR § 25.231 - Longitudinal stability and control.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t14/s25.231"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "14 CFR § 25.231 - Longitudinal stability and control."
title_number: 14
title_name: "Aeronautics and Space"
section_number: "25.231"
section_name: "Longitudinal stability and control."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "AIRCRAFT"
part_number: "25"
part_name: "AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS: TRANSPORT CATEGORY AIRPLANES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40113, 44701, 44702 and 44704; Pub. L. 115-254, 132 Stat 3281 (49 U.S.C. 44903 note)."
regulatory_source: "Docket No. 5066, 29 FR 18291, Dec. 24, 1964, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "25"
---


# 25.231 Longitudinal stability and control.

(a) Landplanes may have no uncontrollable tendency to nose over in any reasonably expected operating condition or when rebound occurs during landing or takeoff. In addition—

(1) Wheel brakes must operate smoothly and may not cause any undue tendency to nose over; and

(2) If a tail-wheel landing gear is used, it must be possible, during the takeoff ground run on concrete, to maintain any attitude up to thrust line level, at 75 percent of *V*<sub>SR</sub><sub>1</sub>.

(b) For seaplanes and amphibians, the most adverse water conditions safe for takeoff, taxiing, and landing, must be established.

[Doc. No. 5066, 29 FR 18291, Dec. 24, 1964, as amended by Amdt. 25-108, 67 FR 70828, Nov. 26, 2002]