ED Decision 2003/15/RM
(a) The rotorcraft must contain:
(1) The markings and placards specified in CS 27.1545 to 27.1565, and
(2) Any additional information, instrument markings, and placards required for the safe operation of rotorcraft with unusual design, operating or handling characteristics.
(b) Each marking and placard prescribed in sub-paragraph (a):
(1) Must be displayed in a conspicuous place; and
(2) May not be easily erased, disfigured, or obscured.
CS 27.1543 Instrument markings: general
ED Decision 2003/15/RM
For each instrument:
(a) When markings are on the cover glass of the instrument, there must be means to maintain the correct alignment of the glass cover with the face of the dial; and
(b) Each arc and line must be wide enough, and located, to be clearly visible to the pilot.
ED Decision 2003/15/RM
(a) Each airspeed indicator must be marked as specified in sub-paragraph (b), with the marks located at the corresponding indicated airspeeds.
(b) The following markings must be made:
(1) A red radial line:
(i) For rotorcraft other than helicopters, at VNE; and
(ii) For helicopters at VNE (power-on).
(2) A red cross-hatched radial line at VNE (power-off) for helicopters, if VNE (power-off) is less than VNE (power-on).
(3) For the caution range, a yellow arc.
(4) For the safe operating range, a green arc.
CS 27.1547 Magnetic direction indicator
ED Decision 2003/15/RM
(a) A placard meeting the requirements of this paragraph must be installed on or near the magnetic direction indicator.
(b) The placard must show the calibration of the instrument in level flight with the engines operating.
(c) The placard must state whether the calibration was made with radio receivers on or off.
(d) Each calibration reading must be in terms of magnetic heading in not more than 45° increments.
(e) If a magnetic non-stabilised direction indicator can have a deviation of more than 10° caused by the operation of electrical equipment, the placard must state which electrical loads, or combination of loads, would cause a deviation of more than 10° when turned on.
CS 27.1549 Powerplant instruments
ED Decision 2023/001/R
For each required powerplant instrument, as appropriate to the type of instrument:
(a) Each maximum and, if applicable, minimum safe operating limit must be marked with a red line;
(b) Each normal operating range must be depicted as a green or unmarked range;
(c) Each take-off and precautionary range must be marked with a yellow range or yellow line;
(d) Each engine or propeller range that is restricted because of excessive vibration stresses must be marked with red ranges or red lines; and
(e) Each OEI limit or approved operating range must be marked to be clearly differentiated from the markings of sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) except that no marking is normally required for the 30-second OEI limit.
CS 27.1551 Oil quantity indicator
ED Decision 2003/15/RM
Each oil quantity indicator must be marked with enough increments to indicate readily and accurately the quantity of oil.
CS 27.1553 Fuel quantity indicator
ED Decision 2003/15/RM
If the unusable fuel supply for any tank exceeds 3.8 litres (0.8 Imperial gallon/1 US gallon), or 5% of the tank capacity, whichever is greater, a red arc must be marked on its indicator extending from the calibrated zero reading to the lowest reading obtainable in level flight.
ED Decision 2023/001/R
(a) Each cockpit control, other than primary flight controls or controls whose function is obvious, must be plainly marked as to its function and method of operation.
(b) For powerplant fuel controls:
(1) Each fuel tank selector control must be marked to indicate the position corresponding to each tank and to each existing cross feed position;
(2) If safe operation requires the use of any tanks in a specific sequence, that sequence must be marked on, or adjacent to, the selector for those tanks; and
(3) Each valve control for any engine of a multi-engine rotorcraft must be marked to indicate the position corresponding to each engine controlled.
(c) Usable fuel capacity must be marked as follows:
(1) For fuel systems having no selector controls, the usable fuel capacity of the system must be indicated at the fuel quantity indicator unless it is:
(i) provided by another system or equipment readily accessible to the pilot; and
(ii) contained in the limitations section of the rotorcraft flight manual.
(2) For fuel systems having selector controls, the usable fuel capacity available at each selector control position must be indicated near the selector control.
(d) For accessory, auxiliary, and emergency controls –
(1) each essential visual position indicator, such as those showing rotor pitch or landing gear position, must be marked so that each crew member can determine at any time the position of the unit to which it relates; and
(2) each emergency control must be marked as to method of operation and be red unless it may need to be operated underwater, in which case it must be marked with yellow and black stripes.
(e) For rotorcraft incorporating retractable landing gear, the maximum landing gear operating speed must be displayed in clear view of the pilot.
[Amdt No: 27/5]
ED Decision 2023/001/R
This AMC supplements FAA AC 27.1555.
(a) Explanation
CS-27 Amendment 5 introduced the need to mark emergency controls for use following a ditching or water impact with black and yellow stripes, instead of red, to make them more conspicuous when viewed underwater.
(b) Procedures
(1) Any emergency control that may be required to be operated underwater (e.g. an emergency flotation system deployment switch, a life raft deployment switch or handle) should be coloured with black and yellow stripes.
(2) Black and yellow markings should consist of at least two bands of each colour of approximately equal widths.
[Amdt No: 27/5]
ED Decision 2023/001/R
CLARIFICATION OF TERMS
This AMC supplements FAA AC 27.1555.
The fuel quantity should be understood as the actual amount of usable fuel at a given time contained within a tank of constant fuel capacity.
The usable fuel capacity of a tank is the maximum amount of usable fuel that the tank can have. It was historically used to define the fuel quantity for flight planning when the fuel quantity indicator displayed only levels (such as full, half, etc) of the total capacity. The pilot had to calculate the fuel quantity in an appropriate unit based on the usable fuel capacity of the tank and the level shown on the fuel quantity indicator.
The design and accuracy in all operating and environmental conditions of modern fuel quantity indication systems decreases the crew workload by displaying directly the fuel quantity in the appropriate unit. This data can be used for compliance demonstration.
[Amdt 27/10]
CS 27.1557 Miscellaneous markings and placards
ED Decision 2018/007/R
(a) Baggage and cargo compartments, and ballast location. Each baggage and cargo compartment and each ballast location must have a placard stating any limitations on contents, including weight, that are necessary under the loading requirements.
(b) Seats. If the maximum allowable weight to be carried in a seat is less than 77 kg (170 lbs), a placard stating the lesser weight must be permanently attached to the seat structure.
(c) Fuel and oil filler openings. The following apply:
(1) Fuel filler openings must be marked at or near the filler cover with:
(i) The word ‘fuel’;
(ii) For reciprocating enginepowered rotorcraft, the minimum fuel grade;
(iii) For turbine engine-powered rotorcraft, the permissible fuel designations; and
(iv) For pressure fuelling systems, the maximum permissible fuelling supply pressure and the maximum permissible defuelling pressure.
(2) Oil filler openings must be marked at or near the filler cover with the word ‘oil’.
(d) Emergency exit placards. Each placard and operating control for each emergency exit must differ in colour from the surrounding fuselage. A placard must be near each emergency exit control and must clearly indicate the location of that exit and its method of operation.
[Amdt No: 27/5]
CS 27.1559 Limitations placard
ED Decision 2003/15/RM
There must be a placard in clear view of the pilot that specifies the kinds of operations (such as VFR, IFR, day, night or icing) for which the rotorcraft is approved.
ED Decision 2018/007/R
(a) Each safety equipment control to be operated by the crew or passenger in an emergency must be plainly marked with its identification and its method of operation.
(b) Each location, such as a locker or compartment that carries any fire extinguishing, signalling, or other safety equipment, must be appropriately marked in order to identify the contents and if necessary indicate how to remove the equipment.
(c) Each item of safety equipment carried must be marked with its identification and must have obviously marked operating instructions.
[Amdt No: 27/5]
ED Decision 2018/007/R
This AMC supplements FAA AC 27.1561.
(a) Explanation
CS 27.1561 requires each safety equipment control that can be operated by a crew member or passenger to be plainly marked to identify its function and method of operation. (Note that the marking of safety equipment controls located within the cockpit and intended for use by the flight crew is addressed in CS 27.1555.)
In addition, a location marking for each item of stowed safety equipment should be provided that identifies the contents and how to remove them. All safety equipment, including ditching and survival equipment, should be clearly identifiable and provided with operating instructions. Markings and placards should be conspicuous and durable as per CS 27.1541. Both passengers and crew should be able to easily identify and then use the safety equipment.
(b) Procedures
(1) Release devices such as levers or latch handles for life rafts and other safety equipment should be plainly marked to identify their function and method of operation. The method of operation should be also marked. Stencils, permanent decals, placards, or other permanent labels or instructions may be used.
(2) Lockers, compartments, or pouches used to contain safety equipment such as life vests, etc., should be marked to identify the equipment therein and to also identify, if not obvious, the method or means of accessing or releasing the equipment.
(3) Safety equipment should be labelled and provided with instructions for its use or operation.
(4) Locating signs for safety equipment should be legible in daylight from the furthest seated point in the cabin or recognisable from a distance equal to the width of the cabin. Letters, 2.5 cm (1 in) high, should be acceptable to satisfy the recommendation. Operating instructions should be legible from a distance of 76 cm (30 in). These recommendations are based on the exit requirements of CS 29.811(b) and (e)(1).
(5) As prescribed, each life raft and its installed equipment should be provided with clear operating instruction markings that cannot be easily erased or disfigured and are readable at low levels of illumination.
(6) Easily recognised or identified and easily accessible safety equipment located in sight of the occupants, such as a passenger compartment fire extinguisher that all passengers can see, may not require locating signs, stencils, or decals. However, operating instructions are required.
[Amdt No: 27/5]
ED Decision 2003/15/RM
Each tail rotor must be marked so that its disc is conspicuous under normal daylight ground conditions.