14 CFR § 31.1 - Applicability.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t14/s31.1"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "14 CFR § 31.1 - Applicability."
title_number: 14
title_name: "Aeronautics and Space"
section_number: "31.1"
section_name: "Applicability."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "AIRCRAFT"
part_number: "31"
part_name: "AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS: MANNED FREE BALLOONS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701-44702, 44704."
regulatory_source: "Docket No. 1437, 29 FR 8258, July 1, 1964, as amended by Amdt. 31-1, 29 FR 14563, Oct. 24, 1964, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "31"
---


# 31.1 Applicability.

(a) This part prescribes airworthiness standards for the issue of type certificates and changes to those certificates, for manned free balloons.

(b) Each person who applies under Part 21 for such a certificate or change must show compliance with the applicable requirements of this part.

(c) For purposes of this part—

(1) A captive gas balloon is a balloon that derives its lift from a captive lighter-than-air gas;

(2) A hot air balloon is a balloon that derives its lift from heated air;

(3) The envelope is the enclosure in which the lifting means is contained;

(4) The basket is the container, suspended beneath the envelope, for the balloon occupants;

(5) The trapeze is a harness or is a seat consisting of a horizontal bar or platform suspended beneath the envelope for the balloon occupants; and

(6) The design maximum weight is the maximum total weight of the balloon, less the lifting gas or air.

[Doc. No. 1437, 29 FR 8258, July 1, 1964, as amended by Amdt. 31-3, 41 FR 55474, Dec. 20, 1976]