AC 27-1A

Historical

Advisory circular · Certification of Normal Category Rotorcraft

A newer version is currentThis is a historical version. AC 27-1B CHG 1-9 is the version in force, approved June 23, 2023.
Approved
July 30, 1997
Last reviewed
January 23, 2001
Cancelled by
AC27-1B
Family
AC 27-1 · 10 versions
Revision
A
14 CFR parts
27
Cited by
1 AD

Guidance, not mandatory unless a rule or AD requires it. DRS record last changed November 22, 2025.

Show pages 1–7
Page 8OCROpen in PDF

SECTION 17. CONTROL SYSTEMS (continued) Page No.

289. FAR 27.695 Power Boost and Power-Operated Control System ... 356

290.-297. RESERVED SECTION 18. LANDING GEAR

298. FAR 27.723 Shock Absorption Tests. .. 367

299. FAR 27.725 Limit Drop Test.. . 370

300. FAR 27.727 Reserve Energy Absorption Drop Test. .. 370 300A. FAR 27.727 Reserve Energy Absorption Drop Test.. ... 371

301. FAR 27.729 Retracting Mechanism ... 371

302. FAR 27.731 Wheels .. .. 374

303. FAR 27.733 Tires. 375

304. FAR 27.735 Brakes. 376

305. FAR 27.737 Skis 378

306.-315. RESERVED SECTION 19. FLOATS AND HULLS

316. FAR 27.751 Main Float Buoyancy 390

317. FAR 27.753 Main Float Design .. 390

318. FAR 27.755 Hulls. 391

319.-329. RESERVED SECTION 20. PERSONNEL AND CARGO ACCOMMODATIONS FAR 27.771 Pilot Compartment. ,404 FAR 27.773 Pilot Compartment View .405 FAR 27.775 Windshields and Windows. .410 332A. FAR 27.775 Windshields and Windows. .410 FAR 27.777 Cockpit Controls.. .410 FAR 27.779 Motion and Effect of Cockpit Controls ... ..411 FAR 27.783 Doors .414 335A. FAR 27.783 Doors .. .416

336. FAR 27.785 Seats, Berths, Safety Belts, and Harnesses .416 336A. FAR 27.785 Seats, Berths, Safety Belts, and Harnesses . 420

337. FAR 27.787 Cargo and Baggage Compartments.. . 422 337A. FAR 27.787 Cargo and Baggage Compartments. .424

338. FAR 27.801 Ditching. 424

339. RESERVED

340. FAR 27.807 Emergency Exits. 433 340A. FAR 27.807 Emergency Exits 434 VIlI

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SECTION 20. PERSONNEL AND CARGO ACCOMODATIONS (continued) Page No.

341.-344. RESERVED

345. FAR 27.831 Ventilation 439

346. FAR 27.833 Heaters .. .440

347.-356. RESERVED SECTION 21. FIRE PROTECTION

357. RESERVED

FAR 27.853 Compartment Interiors454

FAR 27.855 Cargo and Baggage Compartments .455

360. FAR 27.859 Heating Systems.. 456

361. FAR 27.861 Fire Protection of Structure, Controls, and Other Parts. 460 361A. FAR 27.861 Fire Protection of Structure, Controls, and Other Parts 462

362. FAR 27.863 Flammable Fluid Fire Protection 463

363.-372. RESERVED SECTION 22. EXTERNAL LOAD ATTACHING MEANS

373. FAR 27.865 External Load Attaching Means. 475 373A. FAR 27.865 External Load Attaching Means 476

374.-383. RESERVED SECTION 23. MISCELLANEOUS (DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION)

384. FAR 27.871 Leveling Marks.. .487

385. FAR 27.873 Ballast Provisions.. 487

386.-396. RESERVED SECTION 24. POWERPLANT - GENERAL

397. FAR 27.901 Installation.. .. 500 397A. FAR 27.901 Installation.. 503

398. FAR 27.903 Engines.. .. 504 398A. FAR 27.903 Engines... .506

399. FAR 27.907 Engine Vibration.... . 508

400.-420. RESERVED IX

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SECTION 25, ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM Page No.

421. FAR 27.917 Design. .. 530

422. FAR 27.921 Rotor Brake.. 531

423. FAR 27.923 Rotor Drive System and Control Mechanism Tests 532 423A. FAR 27.923 Rotor Drive System and Control Mechanism Tests 537 423B. FAR 27.923 Rotor Drive System and Control Mechanism Tests 538

424. FAR 27.927 Additional Tests.. 539 424A. FAR 27.927 Additional Tests.. 541

425. FAR 27.931 Shafting Critical Speeds541

426. FAR 27.935 Shafting Joints... 546

427. FAR 27.939 Turbine Engine Operating Characteristics 546

428.-445. RESERVED SECTION 26, FUEL SYSTEM

446. FAR 27.951 General 567

447. FAR 27.952 Fuel System Crash Resistance 569

448. FAR 27.953 Fuel System Independence. 595

449. FAR 27.954 Fuel System Lightning Protection 596

450. FAR 27.955 Fuel Flow... 597 450A. FAR 27.955 Fuel Flow. 601

451. RESERVED

452. FAR 27.959 Unusable Fuel Supply. 605

453. FAR 27.961 Fuel System Hot Weather Operation 605 453A. FAR 27.961 Fuel System Hot Weather Operation 607

454. FAR 27.963 Fuel Tanks: General.. . 607 454A. FAR 27.963 Fuel Tanks: General . 608 454B. FAR 27.963 Fuel Tanks: General . 608

455. FAR 27.965 Fuel Tank Tests . 609

456. FAR 27.967 Fuel Tank Installation.. . 610

457. FAR 27.969 Fuel Tank Expansion Space . 612 457A. FAR 27.969 Fuel Tank Expansion Space ..613

458. FAR 27.971 Fuel Tank Sump.... ..613 458A. FAR 27.971 Fuel Tank Sump.. . 614

459. FAR 27.973 Fuel Tank Filler Connection.. .. 615 459A. FAR 27.973 Fuel Tank Filler Connection ..615

460. FAR 27.975 Fuel Tank Vents.. 616 460A. FAR 27.975 Fuel Tank Vents. .618 460B. FAR 27.975 Fuel Tank Vents. ..618

461. FAR 27.977 Fuel Tank Outlet. ..619

462.-482. RESERVED

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SECTION 27, FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS Page No.

483. FAR 27.991 Fuel Pumps. .. 641 483A. FAR 27.991 Fuel Pumps.. 642

484. FAR 27.993 Fuel System Lines and Fittings 642

485. FAR 27.995 Fuel Valves. 643

486. FAR 27.997 Fuel Strainer or Filter.. .. 643 486A. FAR 27.997 Fuel Strainer or Filter. … 644

487. FAR 27.999 Fuel System Drains.. ..645 487A. FAR 27.999 Fuel System Drains.. 646

488.-497. RESERVED SECTION 28. OIL ŞYSTEM

498. FAR 27.1011 General 657

499. FAR 27.1013 Oil Tanks. 657

500. FAR 27.1015 Oil Tank Tests. 658

501. FAR 27.1017 Oil Lines and Fittings.. 659

502. FAR 27.1019 Oil Strainer or Filter 659 502A. FAR 27.1019 Oil Strainer or Filter 660

503. FAR 27.1021 Oil System Drains.. 661

504. FAR 27.1027 Transmission and Gearboxes: General 661

505.-515. RESERVED SECTION 29. COOLING

516. FAR 27.1041 General ..674 516A. FAR 27.1041 General 676

517. FAR 27.1043 Cooling Tests. 676

518. FAR 27.1045 Cooling Test Procedures 679 518A. FAR 27.1045 Cooling Test Procedures 680

519.-530. RESERVED SECTION 30. INDUCTION SYSTEM

531. FAR 27.1091 Air Induction.. .. 693 531A. FAR 27.1091 Air Induction.. .. 694

532. FAR 27.1093 Induction System Icing Protection.. .. 694 532A. FAR 27.1093 Induction System Icing Protection .706

533.-547. RESERVED XI

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SECTION 31. EXHAUST SYSTEM Page No.

548. FAR 27.1121 General.. 722

549. FAR 27.1123 Exhaust Piping .. 723

550.-560. RESERVED SECTION 32. POWERPLANT CONTROLS AND ACCESSORIES

561. FAR 27.1141 Powerplant Controls: General 737 561A. FAR 27.1141 Powerplant Controls: General 738

562. RESERVED

563. FAR 27.1143 Engine Controls. 740 563A. FAR 27.1143 Engine Controls. 740 563B. FAR 27.1143 Engine Controls. 741

564. FAR 27.1145 Ignition Switches 741

565. FAR 27.1147 Mixture Controls 742

566.-567. RESERVED

568. FAR 27.1151 Rotor Brake Controls .745

569. FAR 27.1163 Powerplant Accessories 746

570.-583. RESERVED SECTION 33. POWERPLANT FIRE PROTECTION

584. RESERVED

585. FAR 27.1183 Lines, Fittings, and Components. 764

586. FAR 27.1185 Flammable Fluids. 764

587. FAR 27.1187 Ventilation 766

588. FAR 27.1189 Shutoff Means. 767

589. FAR 27.1191 Firewalls 768

590. FAR 27.1193 Cowling and Engine Compartment Covering. 772 590A. FAR 27.1193 Cowling and Engine Compartment Covering 773

591. FAR 27.1194 Other Surtaces. 774

592. FAR 27.1195 Fire Detector Systems... .775

593.-616. RESERVED SECTION 34. EQUIPMENT - GENERAL

617. FAR 27.1301 Function and Installation .. 804

618. FAR 27.1303 Flight and Navigation Instruments.. ..804

619. FAR 27.1305 Powerplant Instruments. ..805 619A. FAR 27.1305 Powerplant Instruments.. .. 806 619B. FAR 27.1305 Powerplant Instruments.. .. 806

620. FAR 27.1307 Miscellaneous Equipment ..807 XII

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SECTION 34. EQUIPMENT - GENERAL (continued) Page No.

621. FAR 27.1309 Equipment, Systems, and Installations 808

622.-631. RESERVED SECTION 35. INSTRUMENTS - INSTALLATION FAR 27.1321 Arrangement and Visibility. .. 836

633. FAR 27.1322 Warning, Caution, and Advisory Lights. 836 FAR 27.1323 Airspeed Indicating System .. 839

635. FAR 27.1325 Static Pressure Systems 840

636. FAR 27.1327 Magnetic Direction Indicator 841

637. FAR 27.1329 Automatic Pilot System 842

638.-639. RESERVED

640. FAR 27.1335 Flight Director Systems. ... 852

641. FAR 27.1337 Powerplant Instruments.. 853 641A. FAR 27.1337 Powerplant Instruments.. 854

642.-651. RESERVED SECTION 36. ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT

652. FAR 27.1351 General. ... 866

653. FAR 27.1353 Storage Battery Design and Installation. 868

654. RESERVED

655. FAR 27.1357 Circuit Protective Devices .. 871

656.-657. RESERVED

658. FAR 27.1361 Master Switch .. 875

659. FAR 27.1365 Electric Cables ..875

660. FAR 27.1367 Switches. 877

661.-667. RESERVED SECTION 37. LIGHTS

668. FAR 27.1381 Instrument Lights.. .. 885

669. FAR 27.1383 Landing Lights.. .. 885

670. FAR 27.1385 Position Light System Installation.. 886

671. FAR 27.1387 Position Light System Dihedral Angles.. . 886

672. FAR 27.1389 Position Light Distribution and Intensities. .. 886

673. FAR 27.1391 Minimum Intensities in the Horizontal.. .. 886 Plane of Forward and Rear Position Lights

674. FAR 27.1393 Minimum Intensities in Any Vertical.. .. 886 Plane of Forward and Rear Position Lights XIII

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SECTION 37. LIGHTS (continued) Page No.

675. FAR 27.1395 Maximum Intensities In Overlapping. 886 Beams of Forward and Rear Position Lights

676. FAR 27.1397 Color Specifications. 886

677. FAR 27.1399 Riding Light.. . 886

678. FAR 27.1401 Anti-collision Light System 888

679.-688. RESERVED SECTION 38. SAFETY EQUIPMENT

689. FAR 27.1411 General.. 899

690. FAR 27.1413 Safety Belts. 901

691. FAR 27.1415 Ditching Equipment 902

RESERVED FAR 27.1419 Ice Protection 905

694.-701. RESERVED SECTION 39. MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT

702.-703. RESERVED

704. FAR 27.1435 Hydraulic Systems 933

705. RESERVED

706. FAR 27.1457 Cockpit Voice Recorder 937

707. FAR 27.1459 Flight Recorders 938

708. FAR 27.1461 Equipment Containing High Energy Rotors 941

709.-717. RESERVED SECTION 40. OPERATING LIMITATIONS

718. FAR 27.1501 General.. 951

719. FAR 27.1503 Airspeed Limitations: General. 951

720. FAR 27.1505 Never-Exceed Speed ..... . 954

721. FAR 27.1509 Rotor Speed.. 956

722. RESERVED

723. FAR 27.1519 Weight and Center of Gravity .. 960

724. FAR 27.1521 Powerplant Limitations .. . 960 724A. FAR 27.1521 Powerplant Limitations ... 961 724B. FAR 27.1521 Powerplant Limitations .. . 962

725. RESERVED

726. FAR 27.1523 Minimum Flightcrew ...... . 965

727. FAR 27.1525 Kinds of Operations969

728. FAR 27.1527 Maximum Operating Altitude 969 XIV

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SECTION 40. OPERATING LIMITATIONS (continued) Page No.

729. FAR 27.1529 Instructions for Continued Airworthiness .. 970 (Maintenance Manual) 729A. FAR 27.1529 Instructions for Continued Airworthiness .. 972 (Maintenance Manual)

730.-739. RESERVED SECTION 41. MARKINGS AND PLACARDS

740. FAR 27.1541 General. 983

741. FAR 27.1543 Instrument Markings: General 983

742. FAR 27.1545 Airspeed Indicator .. 983

743. FAR 27.1547 Magnetic Direction Indicator 983

744. FAR 27.1549 Powerplant Instruments. 983

745. FAR 27.1551 Oil Quantity Indicators .. 983

746. FAR 27.1553 Fuel Quantity Indicator .. 984 747 FAR 27.1555 Control Markings. 985

748. FAR 27.1557 Miscellaneous Markings and Placards. 986

749. FAR 27.1559 Limitations Placard.. 987

750. FAR 27.1561 Safety Equipment 989

751. FAR 27.1565 Tail Rotor.. 989

752.-761. RESERVED SECTION 42. ROTORCRAFT FLIGHT MANUAL

762. FAR 27.1581 General. 1001

763. FAR 27.1583 Operating Limitations. 1009

764. FAR 27.1585 Operating Procedures ... 1010 764A. FAR 27.1585 Operating Procedures ... 1013

765. FAR 27.1587 Performance Information. 1013

766. FAR 27.1589 Loading Information 1015

767.-774. RESERVED CHAPTER 3 - MISCELLANEOUS AIRWORTHINESS STANDARDS

775. § 27 Appendix B Engineering Flight Test Guide for. 1025 Normal Category Helicopters - Instrument Flight Rules

776. Certification Procedure for Rotorcraft Avionics Equipment 1046 Standardized Test Procedure for Rotorcraft DC 1062 Electrical System Tests Standardized Test Procedure for Rotorcraft Generator Cooling 1068 Annunciator Panels. .. 1070 XV

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АС 27-1A 7/30/97 Chapter 3 (continued) Page No.

780. Definition of Engine Isolation Features as Applied to.. 1072 §§ 27.79(b)(2), 27.141 (b)(1), and 27.143(d)(1)

781. FAR 27.1541, 27.1543, 27.1545, and 27.1549 Instrument.. 1077 Markings 781A. FAR 27.1549 Powerplant Markings.. 1081 781B. FAR 27.1549 Powerplant Markings.. 1081

782.-783. RESERVED

784. Full Authority Digital Electronic Controls (FADEC) for .. 1084 Installations with Category A Engine Isolation

785. Agricultural Dispensing Equipment Installation 1086

786. Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Systems, Installations,. 1092 Interior Arrangements, and Equipment

787. Hour Meters or Time-in-Service Recording Devices in Rotorcraft .1110

788. Substantiation of Composite Rotorcraft Structure 1112 Appendix 1 Rotorcraft One-Engine-Inoperative (OEI) Power Assurance. A1-1 XVI

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ILLUSTRATIONS The first digits in the figure or table number are the same as the related paragraph number. The digits after the hyphen are the number within the paragraph. Most figures or tables are located at the end of the related paragraph.

Figure/Table No. Title Page 58-1 H-V Requirements 71 58-2 IGE Controllability Requirements 72 58-3 Shaft Horsepower vs. Turbine Outlet 73 Temperature - Sea Level Standard Day 58-4 Uninstalled Takeoff Power Available 74 58-5 Installed Takeoff Power Available, Anti-Ice, 75 400 RPM 58-6 Power Assurance Check Chart 76 65-1 Autorotational Characteristics - Typical 87 69-1 Height-Velocity Diagram 101 69-2 Altitude/Weight Accountability 102 86-1 Static Longitudinal Stability 127 110-1 Demonstration Points 157 137-1 Load Factor Gross Weight Curve 184 140-1 Sample Yaw/Forward Speed Diagram 189 160-1 View Looking Forward 214 160-2 View Looking Forward 215 230-1 Comparison Percent of Time in Level Flight 287 XVII

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Figure/Table No. Title Page 250-1 Example of Casting Load Sheet Retract 316 Actuator Support-Landing Gear 250-1 Table 1: Castings to be Static Tested for Model XYZ 318 331-1 Cockpit Visibility 409 338-1 Sea State Code - World Meteorological 431 Organization 425-1 Cantilevered Shaft, First Critical Speed 545 425-2 Shaft Between Support Bearings, First Critical 545 Speed 447-1 Static Tension and Shear Loading Modes 589 447-2 Hose Assembly Tests 590 447-3 Minimum Average and Individual Loads for Hose 591 and Hose-End Fitting Combinations 447-4 Typical Method of Breakaway Fuel Fitting Load 592 Calculations 447-5 Typical Methods of Frangible or Deformable 593 Attachment Load Calculations 447-6 Typical Methods of Frangible or Deformable 594 Attachment Load Calculations 450-1 Fuel Flow 600 516-1 Additional Cooling Test Point 675 589-1 Table of Materials and Gages Acceptable for 771 Fireproof Protective Devices with Flat Surface Geometries 637-1 Deviation Profile 848 637-2 Operational Limitation 849 XVIII

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Figure/Table No. Title Page 693-1 Continuous Icing-Temperature vs. Altitude Limits 919 693-2 Intermittent Icing-Temperature vs. Altitude Limits 920 693-3 Continuous Icing-Liquid Water Content vs Drop 921 Diameter 693-4 Intermittent Icing-Liquid Water Content vs. Drop 922 Diameter 775-1 Rotorcraft Dynamic Stability Requirements for IFR 1045 780-1 Engine Isolation Rules 1076 785-1 Acceptable Ultimate Load Factor for Agricultural 1088 Dispensing Equipment Design 785-2 Sketch of Tank Pressure Test 1091 786-1 Typical Liquid Oxygen System 1108 786-2 Typical Liquid Oxygen System - Using 1109 Combination Valve APX1-1 Installed Engine Flow Capacity Check A1-9 XIX