# Compliance evidence pack (UNOFFICIAL)

- **Question:** MIL-HDBK-516
- **Generated:** 2026-07-22 16:53 UTC
- **e-Publishing catalog checked:** 2026-07-12
- **Supplement layer:** none selected
- **Source:** CheckMyAFI (https://checkmyafi.com) — unofficial reference

> **UNOFFICIAL — VERIFY BEFORE CITING.** Quotes come from indexed copies of public publications. The certified PDF on e-Publishing is the only authoritative source. Your MAJCOM/unit supplement may be stricter.

## Synthesized answer (unofficial)

MIL-HDBK-516 is the Department of Defense Handbook on Airworthiness Certification Criteria [MIL-HDBK-516]. It establishes standards and methods of compliance (MoC) for air system design and certification. Each criterion in MIL-HDBK-516 consists of a standard—a specific metric or principle—and at least one method of compliance [MIL-HDBK-516]. The standards are based on aviation design principles and enable an air system to safely attain, sustain, and complete flight within approved usage limits; failure to show compliance to a standard indicates a potential hazard to the air system, crewmembers, and passengers [MIL-HDBK-516].

MIL-HDBK-516 covers multiple airworthiness domains, including fixed-wing longitudinal and lateral-directional flying qualities assessment for semi-jetborne and short-takeoff operations [MIL-HDBK-516]. In the Air Force, MIL-HDBK-516 criteria may be tailored to meet program needs as long as tailoring provides appropriate safety levels and receives Technical Airworthiness Authority approval [DAFI 62-601 para 3.2.4.1].

Unofficial — answered from indexed publication text, which may be incomplete or out of date. Your MAJCOM/unit supplement may be stricter. Verify the official PDF before acting or writing a finding.

## Controlling Air Force guidance (quoted)

**DAFI 62-601 para 3.2.4.1, p. 13** (effective/current as of 2025-12-05)

> from Military Handbook (MIL-HDBK)-516, Airworthiness Certification Criteria. These can be tailored to meet program needs, so long as the tailoring provides an appropriate level of safety and is approved by the TAA. 3.2.4. Airworthiness During Test and Evaluation (T&E). High or serious risks and hazards associated with non-compliances to MIL-HDBK-516 criteria are expected during developmental test and evaluation before flight test data are obtained. During test and evaluation, the program manager works with engineering, system safety, and the test communities to continuously reduce risk to the greatest extent practical with the goal of achieving compliance at the end of the flight test program. 3.2.4.1. First Flight Compliance Assessment. Program managers execute a TAA-approved assessment p

Official source: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/saf_aq/publication/dafi62-601/dafi62-601.pdf

## Supplement deltas

_No supplement passage retrieved — check the supplement chain before citing._

## Federal / DoD standards implemented (quoted)

_No federal/DoD passage retrieved._

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