[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 14, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 14CFR31.49]

[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 D_Design Construction
 
Sec.  31.49  Control systems.

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

[[Page 767]]

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]