[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: 14CFR31.85]



[Page 766-767]

 

                     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.



                              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.



[[Page 767]]



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 Sec. Sec. 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]