[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 14, Volume 1]

[Revised as of January 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 14CFR31.49]



[Page 763-764]

 

                     TITLE 14--AERONAUTICS AND SPACE

 

CHAPTER I--FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

 

PART 31_AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS: MANNED FREE BALLOONS--Table of Contents

 

                      Subpart D_Design Construction

 

Sec. 31.49  Control systems.



    (a) Each control must operate easily, smoothly, and positively 

enough to



[[Page 764]]



allow proper performance of its functions. Controls must be arranged and 

identified to provide for convenience of operation and to prevent the 

possibility of confusion and subsequent inadvertent operation.

    (b) Each control system and operating device must be designed and 

installed in a manner that will prevent jamming, chafing, or 

interference from passengers, cargo, or loose objects. Precaution must 

be taken to prevent foreign objects from jamming the controls. The 

elements of the control system must have design features or must be 

distinctly and permanently marked to minimize the possibility of 

incorrect assembly that could result in malfunctioning of the control 

system.

    (c) Each balloon using a captive gas as the lifting means must have 

an automatic valve or appendix that is able to release gas automatically 

at the rate of at least three percent of the total volume per minute 

when the balloon is at its maximum operating pressure.

    (d) Each hot air balloon must have a means to allow the controlled 

release of hot air during flight.

    (e) Each hot air balloon must have a means to indicate the maximum 

envelope skin temperatures occurring during operation. The indicator 

must be readily visible to the pilot and marked to indicate the limiting 

safe temperature of the envelope material. If the markings are on the 

cover glass of the instrument, there must be provisions to maintain the 

correct alignment of the glass cover with the face of the dial.



[Doc. No. 1437, 29 FR 8258, July 1, 1964, as amended by Amdt. 31-2, 30 

FR 3377, Mar. 13, 1965]