Definition
Part 23 is the section of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR Part 23) that contains the airworthiness standards for normal category airplanes. It sets the design, structural, performance, systems, and equipment requirements that a small airplane must meet to be certified by the FAA. Most general aviation airplanes — single-engine pistons and many light twins — are certified under Part 23.
Plain English
Part 23 is the FAA rulebook that says how small airplanes must be designed and built to be safe enough to be certified. If you fly a typical general aviation airplane, it was almost certainly approved under Part 23.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA handbooks, aircraft certification discussions, and airplane performance sections when explaining what standards an airplane was approved under.
Derivation
In federal regulations, a “part” is a numbered division of the rules. “Part 23” simply means rule section number 23 within Title 14, the part of the federal rules that covers aviation.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots must confirm their aircraft meets these standards to ensure legal compliance and adequate climb performance when departing airports with nearby obstacles after an engine failure.
Intuition Check
Do not read “Part 23” as just a page, chapter, or general category label. Here it means a specific FAA rule section, and the airplane’s own approved performance data is still the controlling source for planning.
Example Sentence 1
The Cessna 172 is certified under Part 23, so its required performance data appears in the Pilot's Operating Handbook.
Example Sentence 2
Part 23 certification data confirmed the aircraft could clear the obstacle with one engine inoperative.