Regulations last checked for updates: May 18, 2024

Title 14 - Aeronautics and Space last revised: Apr 18, 2026
§ 31.85 - Required basic equipment.

In addition to any equipment required by this subchapter for a specific kind of operation, the following equipment is required:

(a) For all balloons:

(1) [Reserved]

(2) An altimeter.

(3) A rate of climb indicator.

(b) For hot air balloons:

(1) A fuel quantity gauge. If fuel cells are used, means must be incorporated to indicate to the crew the quantity of fuel in each cell during flight. The means must be calibrated in appropriate units or in percent of fuel cell capacity.

(2) An envelope temperature indicator.

(c) For captive gas balloons, a compass.

[Amdt. 31-2, 30 FR 3377, Mar. 13, 1965, as amended by Amdt. 31-3, 41 FR 55474, Dec. 20, 1976; Amdt. 31-4, 45 FR 60180, Sept. 11, 1980]
authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701-44702, 44704
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.
cite as: 14 CFR 31.85