Sec. 25.471 - General.
      
      (a) Loads and equilibrium. For 
      limit ground loads -- 
      (1) Limit ground loads obtained under 
      this subpart are considered to be external forces applied to the airplane 
      structure; and 
      (2) In each specified ground load 
      condition, the external loads must be placed in equilibrium with the 
      linear and angular inertia loads in a rational or conservative manner.
      
      (b) Critical centers of gravity. 
      The critical centers of gravity within the range for which certification 
      is requested must be selected so that the maximum design loads are 
      obtained in each landing gear element. Fore and aft, vertical, and lateral 
      airplane centers of gravity must be considered. Lateral displacements of 
      the c.g. from the airplane centerline which would result in main gear 
      loads not greater than 103 percent of the critical design load for 
      symmetrical loading conditions may be selected without considering the 
      effects of these lateral c.g. displacements on the loading of the main 
      gear elements, or on the airplane structure provided -- 
      (1) The lateral displacement of the c.g. 
      results from random passenger or cargo disposition within the fuselage or 
      from random unsymmetrical fuel loading or fuel usage; and 
      (2) Appropriate loading instructions for 
      random disposable loads are included under the provisions of 
      §25.1583(c)(1) to ensure that the lateral displacement of the center of 
      gravity is maintained within these limits. 
      (c) Landing gear dimension data. 
      Figure 1 of appendix A contains the basic landing gear dimension data.
      
      [Amdt. 25-23, 35 FR 5673, Apr. 8, 1970]