14 CFR § 31.81 - General.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t14/s31.81"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "14 CFR § 31.81 - General."
title_number: 14
title_name: "Aeronautics and Space"
section_number: "31.81"
section_name: "General."
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"
---


# 31.81 General.

(a) The following information must be established:

(1) Each operating limitation, including the maximum weight determined under § 31.14.

(2) The normal and emergency procedures.

(3) Other information necessary for safe operation, including—

(i) The empty weight determined under § 31.16;

(ii) The rate of climb determined under § 31.17, and the procedures and conditions used to determine performance;

(iii) The maximum vertical velocity, the altitude drop required to attain that velocity, and altitude drop required to recover from a descent at that velocity, determined under § 31.19, and the procedures and conditions used to determine performance; and

(iv) Pertinent information peculiar to the balloon's operating characteristics.

(b) The information established in compliance with paragraph (a) of this section must be furnished by means of—

(1) A Balloon Flight Manual; or

(2) A placard on the balloon that is clearly visible to the pilot.

[Amdt. 31-4, 45 FR 60180, Sept. 11, 1980]