CS 31GB.81 Operating instructions
ED Decision 2011/012/R
(a) Operating instructions must be furnished in a Flight Manual with each balloon.
(b) The Flight Manual must contain:
(1) a description of the balloon and its technical equipment with explanatory sketches;
(2) operating limitations, normal procedures (including rigging, inflation, deflation and tethered flight (if applicable)), emergency procedures, and other relevant information specific to the balloon’s operating characteristics and necessary for safe operation. This section of the manual requires approval;
(3) specification of the permissible lifting gas;
(4) information for ground handling, transport and storage.
(c) The operating limitations, normal and emergency procedures, and other relevant information specific to the balloon’s operating characteristics and necessary for safe operation must be provided to the pilot.
AMC 31GB.81 Operating instructions
ED Decision 2011/012/R
(a) It is recommended that the Specimen Flight Manual of CS-22 (AMC 22.1581) be used as guidance in the creation of a Balloon Flight Manual.
(b) Each part of the Flight Manual that is required to be approved needs to be segregated, identified and clearly distinguished from each unapproved part of that manual.
(c) A comprehensive list of approved basket and envelope configurations needs to be provided for each balloon model to enable operators, inspectors, etc. to easily establish an item’s acceptability.
(d) If applicable, the operating limitations, normal and emergency procedures need to include procedures and limitations for tethered flight. These procedures and limitations need to include:
(1) site selection, layout and assembly,
(2) the maximum wind speed and meteorological conditions for tethered operation,
(3) the MTOM (if different from free flight),
(4) the maximum height of the tether,
(5) the minimum strength of ropes, rigging, etc.,
(6) limitations on occupancy (if applicable).
AMC 31GB.81(b)(2) Operating instructions
ED Decision 2011/012/R
The operating procedures should contain instructions necessary for the safe operation of the balloon. In particular, mitigating measures for risks of that specific type of balloon should be included. Examples are safety instructions for flying, filling or deflating envelopes using a flammable or poisonous gas as lifting gas.
Operating procedures need to provide empty mass information required by CS 31GB.16 in an unambiguous manner that will allow the verification of the balloon’s mass limitations before flight.
AMC 31GB.81(c) Operating instructions
ED Decision 2011/012/R
The operating limitations, normal and emergency procedures need to be available to the pilot during operation by providing the specific sections of the flight manual or by other means (e.g. placards, quick reference cards) that effectively accomplish the purpose.
CS 31GB.82 Instructions for continued airworthiness
ED Decision 2011/012/R
(a) The instructions for Continued Airworthiness must include information essential to the Continued Airworthiness of all parts and appliances of the balloon as required by CS-31GB.
(b) The instructions for Continued Airworthiness must be in the form of a manual or manuals as appropriate for the quantity of data provided.
(c) The format of the manual or manuals must provide for a practical arrangement.
(d) The instructions for Continued Airworthiness must cover:
(1) detailed description of the balloon and its components, systems and installations;
(2) handling instructions;
(3) basic control and operating information describing how the balloon’s components, systems and installations operate;
(4) servicing information;
(5) a maintenance schedule against which the balloon must be inspected and maintained;
(6) maintenance and inspection instructions;
(7) repair instructions;
(8) trouble-shooting information;
(9) airworthiness limitations that set forth each mandatory replacement time, inspection interval and related inspection procedure. This section of the manual requires approval.
AMC 31GB.82 Instructions for continued airworthiness
ED Decision 2011/012/R
The paragraph numbering of this AMC relates to the paragraph numbering of CS 31GB.82
(c) If instructions for continued airworthiness are not supplied by the manufacturer or designer of parts and appliances installed in the balloon, the instructions for continued airworthiness for the balloon need to include the information essential to the continued airworthiness of the balloon.
If manuals from different manufacturers are used, they need to provide a practical arrangement.
(d)(1) The detailed description of the balloon and its components needs to include for each balloon:
a description of the systems including the assembly and disassembly instructions;
a parts list covering all construction and equipment components and the assemblies. Where applicable, individual parts need to be numbered so that they can be related to the different assemblies and that their number corresponds to the type plate of the assembly;
a summary of the materials and consumables used with procurement details.
(d)(5) If applicable, the maintenance schedule may include instructions for continued airworthiness (e.g. recommended inspections or mandatory replacement of parts) to ensure the suitable protection of parts against deterioration or loss of strength, objective pass or fail criteria, e.g. applicable wear tolerances need to be provided.
(d)(6) The maintenance and inspection instructions need to provide information for removal and installation, cleaning, inspecting, adjusting, testing and lubrication of systems, parts and appliances of the balloon as required for continued airworthiness. Reference may be made to information from an accessory, instrument or equipment manufacturer as the source of this information if it is shown that the item has an exceptionally high degree of complexity requiring specialised maintenance techniques, test equipment or expertise.
(d)(9) If the instructions for continued airworthiness consist of multiple documents, the Airworthiness Limitations section need to be included in the principal manual.