[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 14, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 14CFR31.85]

[Page 757-758]
 
                     TITLE 14--AERONAUTICS AND SPACE
 
CHAPTER I--FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 31--AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS: MANNED FREE BALLOONS--Table of Contents
 
            Subpart F--Operating Limitations and Information
 
Sec. 31.85  Required basic equipment.

    In addition to any equipment required by this subchapter for a 
specific kind of operation, the following equipment is required:
    (a) For all balloons:
    (1) [Reserved]
    (2) An altimeter.
    (3) A rate of climb indicator.
    (b) For hot air balloons:
    (1) A fuel quantity gauge. If fuel cells are used, means must be 
incorporated to indicate to the crew the quantity of fuel in each cell 
during flight. The means must be calibrated in appropriate units or in 
percent of fuel cell capacity.
    (2) An envelope temperature indicator.
    (c) For captive gas balloons, a compass.

[Amdt. 31-2, 30 FR 3377, Mar. 13, 1965, as amended by Amdt. 31-3, 41 FR 
55474, Dec. 20, 1976; Amdt. 31-4, 45 FR 60180, Sept. 11, 1980]

     Appendix A to Part 31--Instructions for Continued Airworthiness

                             a31.1  general

    (a) This appendix specifies requirements for the preparation of 
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness as required by Sec. 31.82.
    (b) The Instructions for Continued Airworthiness for each balloon 
must include the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness for all 
balloon parts required by this chapter and any required information 
relating to the interface of those parts with the balloon. If 
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness are not supplied by the part 
manufacturer for a balloon part, the Instructions for Continued 
Airworthiness for the balloon must include the information essential to 
the continued airworthiness of the balloon.
    (c) The applicant must submit to the FAA a program to show how 
changes to the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness made by the 
applicant or by the manufacturers of balloon parts will be distributed.

[[Page 758]]

                              a31.2  format

    (a) The Instructions for Continued Airworthiness must be in the form 
of a manual or manuals as appropriate for the quantity of data to be 
provided.
    (b) The format of the manual or manuals must provide for a practical 
arrangement.

                             a31.3  content

    The contents of the manual or manuals must be prepared in the 
English language. The Instructions for Continued Airworthiness must 
contain the following information:
    (a) Introduction information that includes an explanation of the 
balloon's features and data to the extent necessary for maintenance or 
preventive maintenance.
    (b) A description of the balloon and its systems and installations.
    (c) Basic control and operation information for the balloon and its 
components and systems.
    (d) Servicing information that covers details regarding servicing of 
balloon components, including burner nozzles, fuel tanks, and valves 
during operations.
    (e) Maintenance information for each part of the balloon and its 
envelope, controls, rigging, basket structure, fuel systems, 
instruments, and heater assembly that provides the recommended periods 
at which they should be cleaned, adjusted, tested, and lubricated, the 
applicable wear tolerances, and the degree of work recommended at these 
periods. However, the applicant may refer to an accessory, instrument, 
or equipment manufacturer as the source of this information if the 
applicant shows that the item has an exceptionally high degree of 
complexity requiring specialized maintenance techniques, test equipment, 
or expertise. The recommended overhaul periods and necessary cross 
references to the Airworthiness Limitations section of the manual must 
also be included. In addition, the applicant must include an inspection 
program that includes the frequency and extent of the inspections 
necessary to provide for the continued airworthiness of the balloon.
    (f) Troubleshooting information describing probable malfunctions, 
how to recognize those malfunctions, and the remedial action for those 
malfunctions.
    (g) Details of what, and how, to inspect after a hard landing.
    (h) Instructions for storage preparation including any storage 
limits.
    (i) Instructions for repair on the balloon envelope and its basket 
or trapeze.

                a31.4  airworthiness limitations section

    The Instructions for Continued Airworthiness must contain a section 
titled Airworthiness Limitations that is segregated and clearly 
distinguishable from the rest of the document. This section must set 
forth each mandatory replacement time, structural inspection interval, 
and related structural inspection procedure, including envelope 
structural integrity, required for type certification. If the 
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness consist of multiple documents, 
the section required by this paragraph must be included in the principal 
manual. This section must contain a legible statement in a prominent 
location that reads: ``The Airworthiness Limitations section is FAA 
approved and specifies maintenance required under Secs. 43.16 and 91.403 
of the Federal Aviation Regulations.''

[Amdt. 31-4, 45 FR 60180, Sept. 11, 1980, as amended by Amdt. 31-5, 54 
FR 34330, Aug. 18, 1989]