AC 29-2B

Historical

Advisory circular · Certification of Transport Category Rotorcraft

A newer version is currentThis is a historical version. AC 29-2C CHG 9 is the version in force, approved June 23, 2023.
Approved
July 30, 1997
Last reviewed
January 23, 2001
Cancels
AC29-2A
Cancelled by
AC29-2C
Family
AC 29-2 · 13 versions
Revision
B
14 CFR parts
29

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

Show pages 1–3
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SECTION 3. PERFORMANCE Page No.

55. FAR 29.45 General. 64 55A. FAR 29.45 General .74 55B. FAR 29.45 General. 74

56. FAR 29.49 Performance at Minimum Operating Speed. Hover. 81 Performance for Rotorcraft

57. FAR 29.51 Takeoff Data: General 83 57A. FAR 29.51 Takeoff Data: General 84

58. FAR 29.53 Takeoff: Category A 85 58A. FAR 29.53 Takeoff: Category A 88

59. FAR 29.55 Takeoff Decision Point: Category A 90

60. FAR 29.59 Takeoff Path: Category A ... 90 60A. FAR 29.59, 29.60, 29.61, and 29.62 Takeoff Path, Distance 101 and Rejected Takeoff: Ground Level and Elevated Heliport:

Category A

61.-63. RESERVED

64. FAR 29.63 Takeoff Path: Category B 115

65. RESERVED

66. FAR 29.65 Climb: All Engines Operating. 119 66A. FAR 29.64 and 29.65 Climb: (General and All Engines Operating) . 121

67. FAR 29.67 Climb: One Engine Inoperative. 123 67A. FAR 29.67 Climb: One Engine Inoperative. 124

68. FAR 29.71 Rotorcraft Angle of Glide: Category B 126

69. FAR 29.73 Performance at Minimum Operating Speed 129 Hover Performance for Rotorcraft

70. FAR 29.75 Landing. 131 70A. FAR 29.75, 29.77, 29.79, 29.81, and 29.83 Landing. 141

71. FAR 29.77 Balked Landing: Category A 152 71A. FAR 29.85 Balked Landing: Category A 153

72. FAR 29.79 Limiting Height - Speed Envelope 154 72A. FAR 29.87 Limiting Height - Speed Envelope 162

73.-78. RESERVED SECTION 4. FLIGHT CHARACTERISTICS

79. FAR 29.141 Flight Characteristics - General 169

80. FAR 29.143 Controllability and Maneuverability. . 170

81. FAR 29.151 Flight Controls .... .. 176

82. FAR 29.161 Trim Control... 176 82A. FAR 29.161 Trim Control... 177

83. FAR 29.171 Stability: General. 178

84. FAR 29.173 Static Longitudinal Stability .178 N

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SECTION 4. FLIGHT CHARACTERISTICS (continued) Page No.

85. FAR 29.175 Demonstration of Static Longitudinal Stability 179

86. FAR 29.177 Static Directional Stability 184

87. FAR 29.181 Dynamic Stability: Category A Rotorcraft 185

88.-95. RESERVED SECTION 5. GROUND AND WATER HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS

96. FAR 29.231 General (Ground and Water Handling. 194 Characteristics)

97. FAR 29.235 Taxiing Condition194

98. FAR 29.239 Spray Characteristics .. 195

99. FAR 29.241 Ground Resonance .. 196

100.-109. RESERVED SECTION 6. MISCELLANEOUS FLIGHT REQUIREMENTS

110. FAR 29.251 Vibration .212

111.-120. RESERVED SECTION 7. STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS - GENERAL

121. FAR 29.301 Loads. 225

122. FAR 29.303 Factor of Safety. 225

123. FAR 29.305 Strength and Deformation .226

124. FAR 29.307 Proof of Structure ..226 124A. FAR 29.307 Proof of Structure 227

125. FAR 29.309 Design Limitations. .228

126.-135. RESERVED SECTION 8. FLIGHT LOADS

136. FAR 29.321 General -Flight Loads. 239

137. FAR 29.337 Limit Maneuvering Load Factor. .239

138. FAR 29.339 Resultant Limit Maneuvering Loads .. .242

139. FAR 29.341 Gust Loads .. .242

140. FAR 29.351 Yawing Conditions. 244 140A. FAR 29.351 Yawing Conditions. .247 140B. FAR 29.351 Yawing Conditions. 249

141. FAR 29.361 Engine Torque. .249

142.-151. RESERVED

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SECTION 9. CONTROL SURFACE AND SYSTEMS LOADS Page No.

152. FAR 29.391 General.. ..261 152A. FAR 29.391 General... .261

153. FAR 29.395 Control System... ...261 153A. FAR 29.395 Control System.... ..263

154. FAR 29.397 Limit Pilot Forces and Torques. ..263

155. FAR 29.399 Dual Control System .264

156. FAR 29.401 Auxiliary Rotor Assemblies. ..264 156A. FAR 29.401 Auxiliary Rotor Assemblies. ..265

157. FAR 29.403 Auxiliary Rotor Attachment Structure.. .266 157A. FAR 29.403 Auxiliary Rotor Attachment Structure. ...266

158. FAR 29.411 Ground Clearance: Tail Rotor Guard ..267

159. FAR 29.413 Stabilizing and Control Surfaces ..268 159A. FAR 29.413 Stabilizing and Control Surfaces ..270

160.-161. RESERVED

162. FAR 29.427 Unsymmetrical Loads ..273

163.-169. RESERVED SECTION 10. GROUND LOADS

170. FAR 29.471 General.. 284

171. FAR 29.473 Ground Loading Conditions and Assumptions. .284

172. FAR 29.475 Tires and Shock Absorbers .285

173. FAR 29.477 Landing Gear Arrangement 285

174. FAR 29.479 Level Landing Conditions. .285

175. FAR 29.481 Tail-Down Landing Conditions ..287

176. FAR 29.483 One-Wheel Landing Conditions .287

177. FAR 29.485 Lateral Drift Landing Conditions .287

178. FAR 29.493 Braked Roll Conditions ..288

179. FAR 29.497 Ground Loading Conditions: Landing Gear With .288 Tail Wheels

180. FAR 29.501 Ground Loading Conditions: Landing Gear With ..290 Skids 180A. FAR 29.501 Ground Loading Conditions: Landing Gear With .292 Skids

181. FAR 29.505 Ski Landing Conditions .292

182. FAR 29.511 Ground Load: Unsymmetrical Loads on Multiple .293 Wheel Units

183.-192. RESERVED VI

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SECTION 11. WATER LOADS Page No.

193. FAR 29.519 Hull Type Rotorcraft: Water Based, Amphibian ..304

194. FAR 29.521 Float Landing Conditions ..306

195.-204. RESERVED SECTION 12. MAIN COMPONENT REQUIREMENTS

205. FAR 29.547 Main Rotor Structure. ..317 205A. FAR 29.547 Main Rotor and Tail Rotor Structure ..317

206. FAR 29.549 Fuselage and Rotor Pylon .321

207. FAR 29.551 Auxiliary Lifting Surfaces 321

208.-217. RESERVED SECTION 13. EMERGENCY LANDING CONDITIONS

218. FAR 29.561 General.. 332 218A. FAR 29.561 Emergency Landing Conditions - General. ..334 218B. FAR 29.561 Emergency Landing Conditions - General 334

219. FAR 29.562 Emergency Landing Dynamic Conditions. ..335

220. FAR 29.563 Structural Ditching Provisions 335 220A. FAR 29.563 Structural Ditching Provisions. 335

221.-229. RESERVED SECTION 14. FATIGUE EVALUATION

230. FAR 29.571 Fatigue Evaluation of Flight Structure 347 230A. FAR 29.571 Fatigue Evaluation of Flight Structure .349

231.-239. RESERVED SECTION 15. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION - GENERAL

240. FAR 29.601 Design .360

241. FAR 29.603 Materials ..360

242. FAR 29.605 Fabrication Methods.. .361

243. FAR 29.607 Fasteners... .. 362

244. FAR 29.609 Protection of Structure. ..363

245. FAR 29.610 Lightning and Static Electricity Protection ..364

246. FAR 29.611 Inspection Provisions. ..370

247. FAR 29.613 Material Strength Properties and Design ..371 Values VII

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SECTION 15, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION - GENERAL (continued) Page No.

247A. FAR 29.613 Material Strength Properties and Design .373 Values

248. FAR 29.613 Special Factors... .373

249. FAR 29.621 Casting Factors .. ..374

250. FAR 29.623 Bearing Factors.. ...384

251. FAR 29.625 Fitting Factors..... ..385

252. FAR 29.629 Flutter ..... ..386 252A. FAR 29.629 Flutter and Divergence 386

253. RESERVED

254. FAR 29.631 Bird Strike... 389

255.-264. RESERVED SECTION 16. ROTORS

265. FAR 29.653 Pressure Venting and Drainage of Rotor Blades .400

266. FAR 29.659 Mass Balance..... ..400

267. FAR 29.661 Rotor Blade Clearance. .400

268. FAR 29.663 Ground Resonance Prevention Means .401 268A. FAR 29.663 Ground Resonance Prevention Means .403

269.-275. RESERVED SECTION 17. CONTROL SYSTEMS

276. FAR 29.671 General. 412

277. FAR 29.672 Stability Augmentation, Automatic, 412 and Power-Operated Systems

278. FAR 29.673 Primary Flight Controls 413

279. FAR 29.674 Interconnected Controls ..414

280. FAR 29.675 Stops ... .414

281. FAR 29.679 Control System Locks.. .416

282. FAR 29.681 Limit Load Static Tests .417

283. FAR 29.683 Operation Tests.. ‚417

284. FAR 29.685 Control System Details. 418

285. FAR 29.687 Spring Devices ... .420

286. FAR 29.691 Autorotation Control Mechanism. .420

287. FAR 29.695 Power Boost and Power-Operated Control System .421

288.-297. RESERVED VIII

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7/30/97/ AC 29-2B SECTION 18. LANDING GEAR Page No.

298. FAR 29.723 Shock Absorption Tests.. .434

299. FAR 29.725 Limit Drop Test.. .437

300. FAR 29.727 Reserve Energy Absorption Drop Test.. .437 300A. FAR 29.727 Reserve Energy Absorption Drop Test. .438

301. FAR 29.729 Retracting Mechanism, Landing Gear .439

302. FAR 29.731 Wheels.... ..441

303. FAR 29.733 Tires... .441

304. FAR 29.735 Brakes. .443

305. FAR 29.737 Skis.. ,445

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

316. FAR 29.751 Main Float Buoyancy.. 457

317. FAR 29.753 Main Float Design 457

318. FAR 29.755 Hull Buoyancy.. 460

319. FAR 29.757 Hull and Auxiliary Float Strength .462

320.-326. RESERVED SECTION 20, PERSONNEL AND CARGO ACCOMMODATIONS

327. FAR 29.771 Pilot Compartment.. .470

320. FAR 29.773 Pilot Compartment View.. .471

329. FAR 29.775 Windshields and Windows. ,477 329A. FAR 29.775 Windshields and Windows. ..478 329B. FAR 29.775 Windshields and Windows. .478

330. FAR 29.777 Cockpit Controls ... ,478

331. FAR 29.779 Motion and Effect of Cockpit Controls.. .480

332.-333. RESERVED

334. FAR 29.783 Doors... .485 334A. FAR 29.783 Doors.. .488

335. FAR 29.785 Seats, Safety Belts, and Harnesses .... .489 335A. FAR 29.785 Seats, Berths, Belts, Safety Belts, and. .491 Harnesses

336. FAR 29.787 Cargo and Baggage Compartments. .493 336A. FAR 29.787 Cargo and Baggage Compartments. .494

337. FAR 29.801 Ditching... .494

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

338. FAR 29.803 Emergency Evacuation ..501 338A. FAR 29.803 Emergency Evacuation ..502

339. FAR 29.805 Flightcrew Emergency Exits ..503 339A. FAR 29.805 Flightcrew Emergency Exits ..503

340. FAR 29.807 Passenger Emergency Exits 504 340A. FAR 29.805 Emergency Exits... 505

341. FAR 29.809 Emergency Exit Arrangement .506 341A. FAR 29.809 Emergency Exit Arrangement. .507

342. FAR 29.811 Emergency Exit Marking ..508 342A. FAR 29.811 Emergency Exit Marking. 510

343. FAR 29.812 Emergency Lighting 511

344. FAR 29.813 Emergency Exit Access 511

345. FAR 29.815 Main Aisle Width513

346. FAR 29.831 Ventilation.. 514

347. FAR 29.833 Heaters.. 515

348.-356. RESERVED SECTION 21. FIRE PROTECTION

357. FAR 29.851 Fire Extinguishers.. 526

358. FAR 29.853 Compartment Interiors 526 FAR 29.855 Cargo and Baggage Compartments.. 529 FAR 29.855 Cargo and Baggage Compartments 531 FAR 29.859 Combustion Heater Fire Protection 531 FAR 29.861 Fire Protection of Structure, Controls, and 535 Other Parts 361A. FAR 29.861 Fire Protection of Structure, Controls, and .538 Other Parts

362. FAR 29.863 Flammable Fluid Fire Protection 538

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

373. FAR 29.865 External Load Attaching Means. .551 373A. FAR 29.865 External Load Attaching Means .556

374.-383. RESERVED

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SECTION 23. MISCELLANEOUS (DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION) Page No.

384. FAR 29.871 Leveling Marks . 576

385. FAR 29.873 Ballast Provisions 576

386. FAR 29.877 Ice Protection ..577

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

397. FAR 29.901 Installation ..608 397A. FAR 29.901 Installation 615 397B. FAR 29.901 Installation ..615

398. FAR 29.903 Engines 616 398A. FAR 29.903 Engines ...618 398B. FAR 29.903 Engines .620 398C. FAR 29.903 Turbine Engine Installation ..620

399. FAR 29.907 Engine Vibration .620

400. FAR 29.908 Cooling Fans. .621 400A. FAR 29.908 Cooling Fans. ..622

401.-420. RESERVED SECTION 25. ROTOR DRIVE SYSTEM

421. FAR 29.917 Design ..645 421A. FAR 29.917 Design .646

422. FAR 29.921 Rotor Brake ..649

423. FAR 29.923 Rotor Drive System and Control Mechanism 651 Tests 423A. FAR 29.923 Rotor Drive System and Control Mechanism .657 Tests 423B. FAR 29.923 Rotor Drive System and Control Mechanism .664 Tests 423C. FAR 29.923 Rotor Drive System and Control Mechanism ..664 Tests

424. FAR 29.927 Additional Tests.. .666 424A. FAR 29.927 Additional Tests... 668

425. FAR 29.931 Shafting Critical Speeds 671

426. FAR 29.935 Shafting Joints........ ...676

427. FAR 29.939 Turbine Engine Operating Characteristics .676

428.-445. RESERVED

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SECTION 26. FUEL SYSTEM Page No.

446. FAR 29.951 General... ..697

447. FAR 29.952 Fuel System Crash Resistance ..699

448. FAR 29.953 Fuel System Independence ..725

449. FAR 29.954 Fuel System Lightning Protection ...726

450. FAR 29.955 Fuel Flow... .727 450A. FAR 29.955 Fuel Flow... .731

451. FAR 29.957 Flow Between Interconnected Tanks ...735

452. FAR 29.959 Unusable Fuel Supply 735

453. FAR 29.961 Fuel System Hot Weather Operation.. ..736 453A. FAR 29.961 Fuel System Hot Weather Operation ..738

454. FAR 29.963 Fuel Tanks: General 739 454A. FAR 29.963 Fuel Tanks: General .739 454B. FAR 29.963 Fuel Tanks: General .740

455. FAR 29.965 Fuel Tank Tests..... .741

456. FAR 29.967 Fuel Tank Installation .743 456A. FAR 29.967 Fuel Tank Installation .745

457. FAR 29.969 Fuel Tank Expansion Space .746 457A. FAR 29.969 Fuel Tank Expansion Space .746

458. FAR 29.971 Fuel Tank Sump .... .746 458A. FAR 29.971 Fuel Tank Sump .... .748

459. FAR 29.973 Fuel Tank Filler Connection .749 459A. FAR 29.973 Fuel Tank Filler Connection .749

460. FAR 29.975 Fuel Tank Vents and Carburetor Vapor Vents 751 460A. FAR 29.975 Fuel Tank Vents and Carburetor Vapor Vents .751 460B. FAR 29.975 Fuel Tank Vents and Carburetor Vapor Vents ..752

461. FAR 29.977 Fuel Tank Outlet753

462. FAR 29.979 Pressure Refueling and Fueling Provisions Below Fuel Level .753

463.-482. RESERVED SECTION 27. FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS

483. FAR 29.991 Fuel Pumps . ..775 483A. FAR 29.991 Fuel Pumps .. .776

484. FAR 29.993 Fuel System Lines and Fittings ..776

485. FAR 29.995 Fuel Valves.. 777

486. FAR 29.997 Fuel Strainer or Filter.. ..777 486A. FAR 29.997 Fuel Strainer or Filter .778

487. FAR 29.999 Fuel System Drains .. ...779 487A. FAR 29.999 Fuel System Drains. .779

488. FAR 29.1001 Fuel Jettisoning ... ..780

489.-497. RESERVED XIl

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SECTION 28. OIL SYSTEM Page No.

498. FAR 29.1011 General .791

499. FAR 29.1013 Oil Tanks .. 792

500. FAR 29.1015 Oil Tank Tests . ..792

501. FAR 29.1017 Oil Lines and Fittings ..793

502. FAR 29.1019 Oil Strainer or Filter. 793 502A. FAR 29.1019 Oil Strainer or Filter 794

503. FAR 29.1021 Oil System Drains... .795

504. FAR 29.1023 Oil Radiators.. 795

505. FAR 29.1025 Oil Valves. 795

506. FAR 29.1027 Transmission and Gearboxes - General.. .796

507.-515. RESERVED SECTION 29. COOLING

516. FAR 29.1041 General ..807

517. FAR 29.1043 Cooling Tests.. ..810 517A. FAR 29.1043 Cooling Tests.. ..812

518. FAR 29.1045 Cooling Test Procedures 813

519. FAR 29.1047 Takeoff Cooling Test Procedures ..817

520. FAR 29.1049 Hovering Cooling Test Procedures. 819 521-530. RESERVED SECTION 30. INDUCTION SYSTEM

531. FAR 29.1091 Air Induction 831

532. FAR 29.1093 Induction System Icing Protection. 832 532A. FAR 29.1093 Induction System Icing Protection .841

533. FAR 29.1101 Carburetor Air Preheater Design.. .842

534. FAR 29.1103 Induction System Ducts and Air Duct Systems. ..842

535. FAR 29.1105 Induction System Screens .845

536. FAR 29.1107 Intercoolers and After-Coolers ..845

537. FAR 29.1109 Carburetor Air Cooling. .845

538.-547. RESERVED SECTION 31. EXHAUST SYSTEM

548. FAR 29.1121 General.. .856

549. FAR 29.1123 Exhaust Piping... .857

550. FAR 29.1125 Exhaust Heat Exchangers .859

551.-56 0. RESERVED XIII

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SECTION 32. POWERPLANT CONTROLS AND ACCESSORIES Page No.

561. FAR 29.1141 Powerplant Controls: General. ..873

562. FAR 29.1142 Auxiliary Power Unit Controls 874

563. FAR 29.1143 Engine Controls... 875 563A. FAR 29.1143 Engine Controls... 876 563B. FAR 29.1143 Engine Controls... 876

564. FAR 29.1145 Ignition Switches.. ...876

565. FAR 29.1147 Mixture Controls .. ..877

566. FAR 29.1151 Rotor Brake Controls. ..878

567. FAR 29.1157 Carburetor Air Temperature Controls 879

568. FAR 29.1159 Supercharger Controls ..879

569. FAR 29.1163 Powerplant Accessories 880

570. FAR 29.1165 Engine Ignition Systems 881

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

584. FAR 29.1181 Designated Fire Zones: Regions Included .895

585. FAR 29.1183 Lines, Fittings, and Components. 896

586. FAR 29.1185 Flammable Fluids 897

587. FAR 29.1187 Drainage and Ventilation of Fire Zones 898

588. FAR 29.1189 Shutoff Means ..899

589. FAR 29.1191 Firewalls. ..900

590. FAR 29.1193 Cowling and Engine Compartment Covering 904 590A. FAR 29.1193 Cowling and Engine Compartment Covering .905

591. FAR 29.1194 Other Surfaces ..... .906

592. FAR 29.1195 Fire Extinguishing Systems ..907

593. FAR 29.1197 Fire Extinguishing Agents ..910

594. FAR 29.1199 Extinguishing Agent Containers .913

595. FAR 29.1201 Fire Extinguishing System Materials.. 914

596. FAR 29.1203 Fire Detector Systems .914

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

617. FAR 29.1301 Function and Installation ..939

618. FAR 29.1303 Flight and Navigation Instruments. 939

619. FAR 29.1305 Powerplant Instruments.. ..943 619A. FAR 29.1305 Powerplant Instruments. 944 619B. FAR 29.1305 Powerplant Instruments .945 XIV

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

619C. FAR 29.1305 Powerplant Instruments. 946

620. FAR 29.1307 Miscellaneous Equipment 946

621. FAR 29.1309 Equipment, Systems, and Installations 947

622.-631. RESERVED SECTION 35. INSTRUMENTS - INSTALLATION

632. FAR 29.1321 Arrangement and Visibility ..977

633. FAR 29.1322 Warning, Caution, and Advisory Lights. 978

634. FAR 29.1323 Airspeed Indicating System 981 634A. FAR 29.1323 Airspeed Indicating System 982

635. FAR 29.1325 Static Pressure Systems 982

636. FAR 29.1327 Magnetic Direction Indicator .983

637. FAR 29.1329 Automatic Pilot Systems .984

638. FAR 29.1331 Instruments Using A Power Supply .993

639. FAR 29.1333 Instrument Systems .994

640. FAR 29.1335 Flight Director Systems .994

641. FAR 29.1337 Powerplant Instruments .996 Paragraph (b) - Fuel Gauge Calibration 641A. FAR 29.1337 Powerplant Instruments .997

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

652. FAR 29.1351 Electrical Systems and Equipment - General 1009

653. FAR 29.1353 Electrical Equipment and Installations 1014

654. FAR 29.1355 Distribution System . 1016 654A. FAR 29.1355 Distribution System. .1016

655. FAR 29.1357 Circuit Protective Devices ..1017 655A. FAR 29.1357 Circuit Protective Devices 1018 656 FAR 29.1359 Electrical System Fire and Smoke Protection 1019

657. FAR 29.1363 Electrical Systems Tests . 1020

658.-667. RESERVED SECTION 37. LIGHTS

668. FAR 29.1381 Instrument Lights... 1032

669. FAR 29.1383 Landing Lights1032

670. FAR 29.1385 Position Light System Installation. .. 1033

671. FAR 29.1387 Position Light System Dihedral Angles.. 1033 XV