Fin & Rudder strength: facts about what is NOT tested
A lot of rubbish in the form of conjecture has been written here recently about Fin and Rudder strength and airworthiness requirements. So here is a fact from the UK CAA detailing what IS NOT TESTED for a CofA.
AIC: 86/2002 (Pink 38) 17 October 2002
Title: USE OF RUDDER ON LARGE TRANSPORT AEROPLANES
Paragraph 1.2 contains the most important sentence of this AIC:
“ However, aircraft are NOT designed to withstand application of large rudder angles opposite to that required to sustain the sideslip. This may occur when, for example, full rudder is applied in one direction followed by full application in the opposite direction. Such a manoeuvre MAY RESULT IN STRUCTURAL FAILURE. “
This AIC contains much good revision about rudder use.