14 CFR §31.1
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
- (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.