AC 27-1B

Change 1-9

Advisory circular · Certification of Normal Category Rotorcraft

Approved
June 23, 2023
Last reviewed
June 29, 2023
Cancels
AC27-1B Change 8
Family
AC 27-1 · 10 versions
Revision
B, Change 9
14 CFR parts
27
Cited by
1 AD

Guidance, not mandatory unless a rule or AD requires it. DRS record last changed October 23, 2026.

Show pages 16–27
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AC 27-1B Chg 9 6/23/23 Page No.

SUBPART F - EQUIPMENT (continued)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT AC 27.1351 Electrical Systems and Equipment - General. F-55 AC 27.1353 Storage Battery Design and Installation F-58 AC 27.1353A Energy Storage Systems.. F-62.1 AC 27.1357 Circuit Protective Devices F-62.13

AC 27.1361 Master SwitchF-64

AC 27.1365 Electric CablesF-65

AC 27.1367 SwitchesF-66

LIGHTS AC 27.1381 Instrument Lights.. F-67 AC 27.1383 Landing Lights.. F-67 AC 27.1385 Position Light System Installation F-68 AC 27.1387 Position Light System Dihedral Angles F-68 AC 27.1389 Position Light Distribution and Intensities F-68 AC 27.1391 Minimum Intensities in the Horizontal Plane of Forward and F-68 Rear Position Lights AC 27.1393 Minimum Intensities in Any Vertical Plane of Forward and F-68 Rear Position Lights AC 27.1395 Maximum Intensities In Overlapping Beams of Forward and F-68 Rear Position Lights

AC 27.1397 Color SpecificationsF-68

AC 27.1399 Riding LightF-68

AC 27.1401 Anti-collision Light System F-70

SAFETY EQUIPMENT AC 27.1411 General ... F-71 AC 27.1413 Safety Belts. F-73 AC 27.1415 Ditching Equipment F-74 AC 27.1419 Ice Protection .. F-75 AC 27.1435 Hydraulic Systems F-97 AC 27.1457 Cockpit Voice Recorder. F-99 AC 27.1459 Flight Recorders.. F-101 AC 27.1461 Equipment Containing High Energy Rotors. F-103

SUBPART G - OPERATING LIMITATIONS AND INFORMATION AC 27.1501 General.. G-1 Page xiii

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AC 27.1B, Chg 9 6/23/23 Page No.

SUBPART G - OPERATING LIMITATIONS AND INFORMATION (continued)

OPERATING LIMITATIONS AC 27.1503 Airspeed Limitations: General G-1 AC 27.1505 Never-Exceed Speed... G-4 AC 27.1509 Rotor Speed... G-6 AC 27.1519 Weight and Center of Gravity. G-8 AC 27.1521 Powerplant Limitations. G-9 AC 27.1521A Powerplant Limitations. G-10 AC 27.1521B Powerplant Limitations. G-10

AC 27.1523 Minimum FlightcrewG-11

AC 27.1525 Kinds of OperationsG-15

AC 27.1527 Maximum Operating Altitude G-16 AC 27.1529 Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (Maintenance Manual) . G-16 AC 27.1529A Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (Maintenance Manual) G-20

MARKINGS AND PLACARDS AC 27.1541 Marking and Placards - General. G-21 AC 27.1543 Instrument Markings: General. G-21 AC 27.1543A Instrument Markings: General G-25.1 AC 27.1545 Airspeed Indicator. G-25.6 AC 27.1545A Airspeed Indicator. G-25.7 AC 27.1547 Magnetic Direction Indicator G-25.9 AC 27.1549 Powerplant Markings.... G-25.10 AC 27.1549A Powerplant Instruments G-25.10 AC 27.1549B Powerplant Instruments G-25.10 AC 27.1549C Powerplant Instruments G-26 AC 27.1551 Oil Quantity Indicators.. G-26.1 AC 27.1553 Fuel Quantity Indicator. G-26.2 AC 27.1555 Control Markings.. G-27 AC 27.1555A Control Markings. G-28.1 AC 27.1557 Miscellaneous Markings and Placards. G-28.2 AC 27.1559 Limitations Placard G-30 AC 27.1561 Safety Equipment G-31 AC 27.1565 Tail Rotor. G-32

ROTORCRAFT FLIGHT MANUAL AND APPROVED MANUAL MATERIAL AC 27.1581 Rotorcraft Flight Manual - General G-33 AC 27.1583 Operating Limitations ... G-40 AC 27.1585 Operating Procedures.. G-42 AC 27.1585A Operating Procedures.. G-45 AC 27.1587 Performance Information G-45 AC 27.1587A Performance Information G-47 AC 27.1587B Performance Information G-48 AC 27.1589 Loading Information ..... G-48.1 Page xiv

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Page No.

CHAPTER 3 - MISCELLANEOUS GUIDANCE (MG),

NORMAL CATEGORY ROTORCRAFT AC 27 MG 1 Certification Procedure for Rotorcraft Avionics Equipment MG 1-1 AC 27 MG 2 Standardized Test Procedure for Rotorcraft DC Electrical MG 2-1 System Tests AC 27 MG 3 Definition of Engine Isolation Features as Applied to MG 3-1 §§ 27.79(b)(2), 27.141(b)(1), and 27.143(d)(1) AC 27 MG 4 Full Authority Digital Electronic Controls (FADEC). MG 4-1 AC 27 MG 5 Agricultural Dispensing Equipment Installation. MG 5-1 AC 27 MG 6 Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Systems, Installations, MG 6-1 Including: Interior Arrangements, Equipment, Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS), Radio Altimeter, and Flight Data Monitoring System.

AC 27 MG 7 Hour Meters or Time-in-Service Recording Devices in Rotorcraft.. MG 7-1 AC 27 MG 8 Substantiation of Composite Rotorcraft Structure. MG 8-1 AC 27 MG 9 Rotorcraft One-Engine-Inoperative (OEI) Power Assurance MG 9-1 AC 27 MG 10 Advisory Material for Substantiation of Emergency Flotation MG 10-1 System AC 27 MG 11 Fatigue Evaluation of Rotorcraft Structure. MG 11-1 AC 27 MG 12 External Loads (see AC 27.865B) MG 12-1 AC 27 MG 13 Systems Certification Considerations. MG 13-1 AC 27 MG 14 Certification Procedure for Installation of Vapor Cycle MG 14-1 Air Conditioning Systems AC 27 MG 15 Airworthiness Approval of Rotorcraft Health Usage Monitoring MG 15-1 Systems (HUMS) AC 27 MG 16 Certification Procedure for Rotorcraft Night Vision Imaging MG 16-1 Systems (NVIS) Equipment AC 27 MG 17 Guidance on Analyzing an Advanced Flight Controls (AdFC).. .. MG 17-1 System AC 27 MG 18 Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS).. MG 18-1 AC 27 MG 19 Guidance on Electronic Display Systems (EDS) for Rotorcraft MG 19-1 Installations AC 27 MG 20 Human Factors (HF).. MG 20-1 AC 27 MG 21 Guidance on Creating a System Level Functional Hazard MG 21-1 Assessment (FHA) AC 27 MG 22 Rotorcraft One Engine Inoperative (OEI) Training Mode MG 22-1 AC 27 MG 23 Automatic Flight Guidance and Control systems (AFGCS) .. MG 23-1 Installation in Part 27 Rotorcraft Page xv

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AC 27-1B, Chg 9 6/23/23

APPENDICES AC 27 Appendix A - Instructions for Continued Airworthiness................ ... Apdx A-1 AC 27 Appendix B - Airworthiness Guidance for Rotorcraft Instrument Flight........... Apdx B-1 AC 27 Appendix C - (reserved) (Criteria for Category A) ............................. ... Apdx C-1 Page xvi

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FIGURES The first digits in the figure number are the same as the related section number.

Figure No. Title Page

AC 27.45-1 H-V RequirementsB-20

AC 27.45-2 IGE Controllability Requirements.. B-21 AC 27.45-3 Shaft Horsepower vs. Turbine Outlet .. B-22 Temperature - Sea Level Standard Day AC 27.45-4 Uninstalled Takeoff Power Available. B-23 AC 27.45-5 Installed Takeoff Power Available, Anti-Ice Off, .. B-24 400 RPM AC 27.45-6 Power Assurance Check Chart B-24.1 AC 27.71-1 Autorotational Characteristics - Typical B-31 AC 27.79-1 Height-Velocity Diagram. B-43 AC 27.79-2 Altitude/Weight Accountability. B-44 AC 27.175-1 Static Longitudinal Stability B-60.1 AC 27.175A-1 Static Longitudinal Stability B-60.5 AC 27.251-1 Demonstration Points B-70 AC 27.337-1 Load Factor Gross Weight Curve C-7 AC 27.351-1 Sample Yaw/Forward Speed Diagram.. C-12 AC 27.351-2 Safety Factors for Probability of Failure C-13 AC 27.427-1 View Looking Forward C-26 AC 27.427-2 View Looking Forward. C-27 AC 27.562-1 Seat Restraint System Dynamic Tests. C-47 AC 27.562-2 Schematic Floor Deformation Fixture; Seat Legs C-54 Attached at Floor Level AC 27.562-3 Schematic Test Fixture; Side Wall Mounted Seat. C-58 AC 27.562-4 Installation of Pelvic-Lumbar Spine Load Cell in C-62 Part 572B Anthropomorphic Dummy AC 27.562-5 Measurement to be Taken Over Full Width of. C-74 Seat Bottom Cushion AC 27.562-6 Post Test Condition C-74 Page xvii

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AC 27.1B, Chg 4 5/1/2014 FIGURES (continued) Figure No. Title Page

AC 27.562-7 Impulse ShapeC-80

AC 27.562-8 Change in Velocity ... C-80 AC 27.571-1 Comparison Percent of Time in Level Flight C-85 AC 27.573-1. Schematic diagram of building block tests C102 AC 27.573-2. Characterization of Impact Damage. C-107 AC 27.573-3. Residual Strength vs. Time. C-112 AC 27.573-4. Illustration of Residual Strength and Damage Size Relationships for Fail-Safe Substantiation C113 AC 27.621-1 Example of Casting Load Sheet Retract D-24 Actuator Support-Landing Gear AC 27.621-2 Example of Castings to be Static Tested for D-26 Model XYZ

AC 27.773-1 Cockpit VisibilityD-67

AC 27.801-1 Sea State Code - World Meteorological D-90 Organization...

AC 27.865B-1 U.S. Operational (Part 133) Rotorcraft-Load Combination D-116 Versus Applicable Cargo Type Data and Definition Summary AC 27.931-1 Cantilevered Shaft, First Critical Speed E-25 AC 27.931-2 Shaft Between Support Bearings, First Critical Speed E-25 AC 27.952-1 Static Tension and Shear Loading Modes E-50 AC 27.952-2 Hose Assembly Tests E-51 AC 27.952-3 Minimum Average and Individual Loads for Hose and E-52 Hose-End Fitting Combinations AC 27.952-4 Typical Method of Breakaway Fuel Fitting Load E-53 Calculations AC 27.952-5 Typical Methods of Frangible or Deformable Attachment E-54 Load Calculations, Frangible Bolts AC 27.952-6 Typical Methods of Frangible or Deformable Attachment E-55 Load Calculations, Frangible Baffle

AC 27.955-1 Fuel Flow E-61E-61

Page xviii

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FIGURES (continued) Figure No. Title Page AC 27.1041-1 Additional Cooling Test Point E-93 AC 27.1191-1 Table of Materials and Gauges Acceptable for E-131 Fireproof Protective Devices with Flat Surface Geometries AC 27.1309-1 Relationship between Probability and Severity of F-30.5 Failure Condition Effects AC 27.1309-2 Failure Condition Categories and Probably Definitions F-30.6 AC 27.1309-4 Safety Assessment Process Overview F-30.10 AC 27.1309-5 Depth of Analysis Flowchart F-30.11 AC 27.1321-1 Primary Fields of View. F - 34 AC 27, 1321-2 Secondary Fields of View F - 34.1 AC 27.1329-1 Height Loss Method. F-45

AC 27.1329-2 Deviation ProfileF-49

AC 27.1329-3 Deviation ProfileF-50

AC 27.1419-1 Continuous Icing-Temperature vs. Altitude Limits. F-93 AC 27.1419-2 Intermittent Icing-Temperature vs. Altitude Limits F-94 AC 27.1419-3 Continuous Icing-Liquid Water Content vs Drop F-95 Diameter AC 27.1419-4 Intermittent Icing-Liquid Water Content vs. Drop F-96 Diameter AC 27 MG 3-1 Part 29 Engine Isolation Rules MG 3-5 AC 27 MG 5-1 Acceptable Ultimate Load Factor for Agricultural MG 5-3 Dispensing Equipment Design AC 27 MG 5-2 Sketch of Tank Pressure Test. .. MG 5-7 AC 27 MG 6-1 Typical Liquid Oxygen System MG 6-21 AC 27 MG 6-2 Typical Liquid Oxygen System - Using Combination MG 6-22 Valve AC 27 MG 8-1 Schematic Diagram of Building Block Tests MG 8-16 AC 27 MG 8-2 Characterization of Impact Damage MG 8-20 AC 27 MG 8-3 Residual Strength vs. Time MG 8-23 AC 27- MG 8-4 Residual Strength and Damage Size Relationships. MG 8-24 for Fail-Safe Substantiation AC 27 MG 9-1 Installed Engine Fuel Flow Capacity Check MG 9-8 AC 27 MG 11-1 Example of Variation in Time Spent in Level Flight MG 11-7 for Three Rotorcraft Types AC 27 MG 11-2 Flight Regime to be Investigated Power-On Operation MG 11-17 Page xix

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AC 27.1B, Chg 7 xx/xx/2014 FIGURES (continued) Figure No. Title Page AC 27 MG 11-3 Flight Regime to be Investigated for Power-Off MG 11-17 Operation AC 27 MG 11-4 Simplified Analytical Method for Safe Life Evaluation MG 11-18 AC 27 MG 11-5 Typical S/N Curve for Safe Life Evaluation MG 11-18 AC 27 MG 11-6 Elements of Safe Life Determination. MG 11-19 AC 27 MG 11-7 Flight Load Measurement Program Conditions to be. MG 11-20 Investigated AC 27 MG 11-8 Lifting Helicopter Load Measurement.. ..MG 11-23 AC 27 MG 11-9 Example of Twin Turbine Usage Spectrum MG 11-24 AC 27 MG 14-1 Refrigeration Cycle... MG 14-7 AC 27 MG 15-1 Flow Chart for Use of Mitigating Actions Applied for MG 15-8 Reduction of Software Level AC 27 MG 15-2 Flow Chart for Application of HUMS Specific MG 15-11 Software with a Ground Base that uses COTS Software for Operational Software AC 27 MG 17-1 Verification Methodology. MG 17-4 AC 27 MG 19-1 Primary Field of View. MG 19-15 AC 27 MG 19-2 Secondary Field of View. MG 19-16 AC 27 MG 20-1 Primary and Secondary Horizontal Fields of View MG 20-18 AC 27 MG 20-2 Primary and Secondary Vertical Fields of View MG 20-19 AC 27 MG 20-3 Sample HF Compliance Matrix.. MG 20-27 AC 27 MG 21-1 Generic Examples by ATA.. .. MG 21-5 AC 27 APX B-1 Rotorcraft Dynamic Stability Requirements for IFR. Apax B-27 Page xx

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Acronyms advisory circular EFIS electronic flight instrument ACO aircraft certification office System[Replaced by EDS.] ADF automatic direction finding EFP engine failure point ADI attitude direction indicator EHE exhaust heat exchanger AEH airborne electronic hardware ELOS equivalent level of safety AEO all engines operating ELT emergency locator transmitter AdFC advanced flight control EMC electromagnetic compatibility AFCS automatic flight control EMI electromagnetic interference systems EMS emergency medical service AFGCS automatic flight guidance and EOL end of life control systems EUROCAE European Organization for AGL above ground level Civil Aviation Equipment AHRS attitude heading reference EVS enhanced vision system system FAA Federal Aviation Amdt. Amendment Administration APU auxiliary power unit FADEC full authority digital engine ATC air traffic control control BIM CAM CAR CAS CBIM blade inspection method cockpit area microphone Civil Air Regulations calibrated air speed cockpit blade inspection method FAR FEM FHA FMEA [OBSOLETE term.] failure mode and effects finite element modeling Federal Aviation Regulations functional hazard assessment analysis CDP critical decision point CFR Code of Federal Regulations FPM feet per minute CG center of gravity FPS feet per second COTS commercial off-the-shelf FTA fault tree analysis CPS cycles per second GPS global positioning system CRFS crash resistant fuel system GW gross weight CRI certification review item HEC human external cargo HF high frequency CRT cathode ray tube CVR cockpit voice recorder HIRF high intensity radiated fields DER representative designated engineering HUMS HRD high rate of discharge health and usage monitoring DME distance measuring systems HV height-velocity EASA equipment European Aviation Safety ICA IAS indicated airspeed instructions for continued Agency airworthiness ECAS engine caution advisory ICAO International Civil Aviation systems Organization ECU environmental control unit ICS inter-communication system EDS electronic data system IFR instrument flight rules Page xxi

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AC 27.1B, Chg 4 5/1/2014 PCDS personnel carrying device IGE in ground effect Systems IIDS integrated instrument display system PCF post crash fire ILS instrument landing system PIO pilot induced oscillation IMC instrument meteorological PSA preliminary safety assessment conditions PSIG pounds per square inch INS inertial navigation system gauge ISA international standard QPL qualified parts list atmosphere RFM rotorcraft flight manual ISIS integral spar inspection system RFMS rotorcraft flight manual ITT inter-turbine temperature supplement KCAS knots calibrated airspeed RGL Regulatory and Guidance KIAS knots indicated air speed Library KTAS knots true airspeed RPM revolutions per minute LDP landing decision point RTCA Radio Technical Commission LPV localizer performance with Of Aeronautics vertical guidance RVR runway visual range LRU line replaceable unit SAE Society of Automotive LWC liquid water content Engineers MC maximum continuous SAR search and rescue MCP maximum continuous power SAS stability augmentation system MEL minimum equipment list MG misce laneous guidance SCAS stability and control augmentation systems MGB main gearbox MGT measured gas temperature SHP shaft horsepower MGW MMEL maximum gross weight master minimum equipment S/N SRM structural repair manual stress vs. number of cycles list SSA system safety assessment STC supplemental type certificate MSL mean sea level STOL short takeoff and landing MVD median volume diameter NASA National Aeronautics and time between overhaul Space Administration type certificate type certificate data sheet NDI non-destructive inspection takeoff decision point NM nautical mile type inspection authorization NPRM notice of proposed type inspection report rulemaking takeoff power NTSB National Transportation turbine outlet temperature Safety Board technical standard order NVG night vision goggles NVIS night vision imaging systems true vapor pressure OAT outside air temperature VBIM visual blade inspection method OEI one engine inoperative VER visual flight rules OGE out of ground effect VMC visual meteorological PBA pitch bias actuator conditions Page xxii

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VOR very high frequency Altitudes omnidirectional range radio density altitude VSI vertical speed indicator Hp pressure altitude VISTOL vertical/short takeoff and V speeds landing VTOL vertical takeoff and landing diving speed WAT weight, altitude, temperature speed in level flight with maximum continuous power VMO maximum operating limit speed VNE never-exceed speed VTOSS takeoff safety speed for Category A rotorcraft Vx speed for best angle of climb Vr speed for best rate of climb MMO maximum operating mach number N speeds NF free turbine speed NG gas generator speed Np power turbine speed NR rotor speed Coefficients CD coefficient of drag GL coefficient of lift coefficient of power Ст coefficient of thrust Page xxili

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CHAPTER 1. PART 21 FAR 21 - GENERAL

CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES FOR PRODUCTS AND PARTS (Amendment 21-50) AC 21.16. § 21.16 SPECIAL CONDITIONS.

a. The Process. Chapter 2, Section 1, Paragraph 8 of the Type Certificate Handbook, Order 8110.4A, provides detailed guidance on the special conditions process. However, much of that material has been outdated with the implementation of the Aircraft Certification Directorate Program. Rotorcraft special conditions are processed through the Rotorcraft Standards Staff, ASW-110. That office will ensure coordination with the affected agency and industry elements including the Assistant Chief Counsel. All comments will be considered and the disposition documented by the Rotorcraft Directorate. ASW-100 will issue the special conditions.

b. Basis for Development.

(1) Special conditions are justified on the basis of the existing Part 27 being inadequate or inappropriate due to novel or unusual design features of the rotorcraft to be certificated.

(2) The phrase "novel or unusual" as used in § 21.16 is a very relative term. As used hereafter in applying § 21.16 to justify the issuance of special conditions, "novel or unusual" will be taken with respect to the state of technology envisaged by the applicable airworthiness standards of this subchapter. It must be recognized that in some areas which will vary from time to time, the state of the regulations may somewhat lag the state of the art in new design because of the rapidity in which the state of the art is advancing in civil aeronautical design and because of the time required to develop the experience base needed by the FAA/AUTHORITY to proceed with general rulemaking.

Applicants for type certification of a new design have the opportunity to mitigate the impact of not knowing the precise airworthiness standards to be applied forinovel or unusual design features" by consulting with the FAA/AUTHORITY early in their certification planning when such features are suspected or known by the applicant to exist. It should also be recognized that, because of the intentional objective nature of the airworthiness standards of this subchapter, many new design features which might be thought of as "novel or unusual" may already be adequately covered by existing regulations, thus obviating the need to issue special conditions.

(3) Before proposing special conditions, the certification staff should very thoroughly analyze the existing regulations and ensure they are inadequate or inappropriate in light of a new and novel design feature.

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