11.1 Aircraft performance and handling qualities are prescribed in airworthiness design requirements associated with aircraft flight controls and aerodynamics. While the Authority recognised Airworthiness Codes in Section 1 of this manual provide appropriate benchmark standards for Defence aircraft performance and handling qualities, there may be Defence unique role and operating environment considerations that are not adequately accommodated within these Codes. Consequently, Defence conducts comprehensive test programs to ensure that the Defence aircraft’s performance, handling qualities and human factors are satisfactory for Defence’s intended use.
11.2 The ADF Flight Test Organisations (DASR) retain specialist expertise in the identification of suitable requirements and standards for conducting aircraft performance, handling qualities and human factors assessments, to demonstrate that a Defence aircraft’s handling characteristics are acceptable. POs/SPOs intending to acquire a Defence aircraft or implement a modification that could impact the extant handling qualities of a Defence aircraft, should engage with the applicable flight test organisation early in the certification process to obtain advice on appropriate performance and handling qualities design requirements, and suitable verification and test requirements to demonstrate compliance with these requirements.