Content last revised: 1998/02/17
Subchapter D - Lighter-than-air aircraft
549.301 General
- (a) This subchapter contains standards of airworthiness for:
- (1) Manned free balloons; and
- (2) Airships.
- (b) The aircraft buoyancy shall be provided by heated air or captive non-flammable gas.
549.303 Maximum Displaced Volume
The maximum displaced volume shall not exceed:
- (a) Balloons: 2200 m3 (77 690 ft3)
- (b) Airships: 4300 m3 (151 850 ft3)
549.305 Number of Occupants
- (a) Balloons: The number of occupants shall be established by the applicant so that pilot operation during take-off, ascent and descent are not adversely affected, but shall not exceed four.
- (b) Airships: The number of occupants shall not exceed two.
549.307 Maximum Empty Mass
The empty mass of a LTA aircraft shall include installed equipment but no lifting gas or heater fuel, and shall not exceed:
- (a) Balloons: 455 Kg (1000 lb).
- (b) Airships: 2500 Kg (5511 lb).
(Change 549-1 (93-06-30))
549.309 Power Plant Installation: Airships
The power plant installation and the minimum rated engine power will be evaluated on an individual basis.
549.313 Equipment and Instruments
- (a) Lighter-Than-Air Aircraft: In lieu of the equipment and instruments required by section 549.13, all Lighter-Than-Air aircraft are required to have the following items as a minimum:
- (1) an altimeter;
- (2) a rate of climb indicator; and
- (3) for each occupant, appropriate restraining means securely anchored to the primary structure, unless the balloon has a basket or gondola.
- (b) Hot Air Balloons: In addition to the requirements of 549.313 (a), hot-air balloons shall have:
- (1) a fuel quantity gauge for each fuel tank;
- (2) an envelope temperature indicator; and
- (3) shielding to protect occupants and parts adjacent to the burner flame unless the Minister finds it unnecessary.
- (c) Captive Gas Balloons: In addition to the requirements of 549.313 (a) and (b), captive gas balloons shall have a compass.
- (d) Airships: In addition to the instruments and equipment of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, airships shall have the applicable power plant instruments of paragraph 549.13(c).
(Change 549-1 (93-06-30))
549.315 Placards
In addition to the placards specified in paragraph 549.15(a) the following are required:
-
(a) In lieu of 549.15(b), a placard shall be displayed in a conspicuous position, readily visible to persons entering the aircraft, showing the number of occupants allowed:
"Maximum Number of Occupants: .........",
or
"Nombre maximum d'occupants : .........",
-
(b) For hot air balloons on the envelope in full view of the pilot:
"Maximum Operational Envelope
Temperature .......°C ( ....... °F)";or
"Température opérationnelle maximale
de l'enveloppe .......°C ( .......°F)".