14 CFR § 31.51 - Ballast.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t14/s31.51"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "14 CFR § 31.51 - Ballast."
title_number: 14
title_name: "Aeronautics and Space"
section_number: "31.51"
section_name: "Ballast."
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"
---


# 31.51 Ballast.

Each captive gas balloon must have a means for the safe storage and controlled release of ballast. The ballast must consist of material that, if released during flight, is not hazardous to persons on the ground.