Definition
A specific paragraph within Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 23 (Airworthiness Standards: Normal Category Airplanes), section 23.2135, paragraph (c). This paragraph sets the controllability requirement for multiengine airplanes following the sudden failure of the critical engine, establishing the certification basis for minimum control speed (VMC).
Plain English
A rule in the federal aviation regulations that tells airplane manufacturers what a multiengine airplane must be able to do when one engine suddenly quits. It is the rule that defines the slowest speed at which the pilot can still keep the airplane under control with one engine out.
Context Anchor
Seen in multiengine training when discussing controllability, engine failure, and minimum control speed.
Derivation
The numbering follows the standard format of the Code of Federal Regulations: Part 23, section 2135, paragraph (c). The '23' identifies the part covering small airplane airworthiness standards; the '(c)' identifies the third lettered paragraph within that section. Knowing the format helps a pilot find and read any regulation cited this way.
Why Pilots Care
It establishes the minimum performance standard an airplane must meet to be certified safe for flight with one engine failed near the ground.
Grounding Statement
Picture a twin-engine airplane at low speed when one engine suddenly stops producing power; section 23.2135(c) is about whether the pilot can still keep the airplane under control.
Intuition Check
Do not read “section” as a physical section of the airplane. Here, it means a specific paragraph of an FAA regulation.
Example Sentence 1
The published VMC for this airplane was determined under the controllability conditions specified in section 23.2135(c).
Example Sentence 2
During the multiengine checkout the instructor explained how section 23.2135(c) sets the speed at which engine failure must still allow a controlled turn.