AC 43.13-2C

Advisory circular · Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and Practices – Aircraft Alterations

Approved
August 10, 2026
Last reviewed
July 29, 2026
Cancels
AC43.13-2BSAFO 10007
Family
AC 43.13-2 · 3 versions
Revision
C
14 CFR parts
23
Cited by
11 ADs

Guidance, not mandatory unless a rule or AD requires it. DRS record last changed August 10, 2026.

Show pages 70–81

7-8

7.8.7 Provide one of the following acceptable means or equivalent to indicate oxygen flow to each user by:

1. Listening for audible indication of oxygen flow.

2. Watching for inflation of the rebreather or reservoir bag.

3. Installing a flow indicator.

7.9 Operating Instructions. On placards, provide instructions appropriate to the type of system and masks installed for the pilot. Include in these instructions a graph or a table showing the duration of the oxygen supply for the various cylinder pressures and pressure altitudes (see Table 7-1).

Table 7-1. Typical Oxygen Duration Table Actual Duration in Hours at Various Altitudes Number of Persons 8,000 Feet 10,000 Feet 12,000 Feet 15,000 Feet 20,000 Feet Pilot Only 7.6 hours 7.1 hours 6.7 hours 6.35 hours 5.83 hours Pilot and One Passenger 5.07 hours 4.74 hours 4.47 hours 4.24 hours 3.88 hours Pilot and Two Passengers 3.8 hours 3.55 hours 3.36 hours 3.18 hours 2.92 hours Pilot and Three Passengers 3.04 hours 2.84 hours 2.68 hours 2.54 hours 2.34 hours Pilot and Four Passengers 2.53 hours 2.37 hours 2.24 hours 2.12 hours 1.94 hours NOTE: The above duration time is based on a fully charged 48 cubic-foot cylinder. For duration using a 63 cubic-foot cylinder, multiply any duration by 1.3.

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Figure 7-1. Typical Floor Mounting Regulator Alternater Location Cylinder Bracket Floor Large area washer AN bolt and self-locking nut Oxygen cylinder bracket Reinforce floor, if necessary, to withstand the added load.

Like aluminum or plvwood of sufficient thickness.

7-9

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Figure 7-2. Typical Baggage Compartment Mounting .032 aluminum Hinge Fasteners к..

Typical example of shroud Bracket Bulkhead ...

Self-locking Nut Washer Doubler Cylinder support block - Cut to fit contour of cylinder base. Secure with countersunk machine NOTE: Enclose cylinder and valve with shroud screw or wood screw. to prevent damage from baggage.

7-10

7-11 Figure 7-3. Typical Oxygen Installation in Light Twin Aircraft

7-12 Section 3. Airworthiness Compliance Check Sheet: Oxygen System Installation in Unpressurized Aircraft

7.10 General. Oxygen system installations made in accordance with an FAA-approved airframe manufacturer or other FAA-approved installations may be accepted without further investigation. On other installations, the following points should be checked to determine if the installation is satisfactory.

7.11 Applicable Federal Aviation Regulations. Determine if the installation complies with the regulations listed in paragraph 7.3.

7.12 Structural Requirements.

7.12.1 If changes or alterations of the aircraft structure are made (mounting of oxygen cylinder), determine if the original strength and integrity of the structure is retained.

7.12.2 If gages are added to the instrument panel or an outside filler valve is installed on the fuselage, determine if the structural integrity of the panel and airframe or its supporting structure is retained.

7.12.3 Determine if the extent of the modification has affected the CG of the aircraft evaluated.

7.12.4 Check whether all lines are properly routed and supported.

7.13 Hazards to the Aircraft or its Occupants. Determine if the design of the oxygen system is evaluated to ensure that the aircraft and its occupants are safe from hazards identified in paragraph 7.2.

7.14 Operating Aspects.

7.14.1 When required by the operating rules for the use of supplemental oxygen, determine if the system’s capacity is sufficient to supply oxygen to all combinations of crew and passengers.

7.14.2 Determine if the oxygen system provides the required flow.

7.14.3 Determine if the oxygen regulator controls are accessible to a member of the flightcrew in flight.

7.14.4 Determine if there is a means, readily available to the crew in flight, to turn on and shut off the oxygen supply at the high-pressure source.

7.14.5 Check whether there is a means to allow the crew to readily determine during flight the quantity of oxygen available in each source of supply.

7-13

7.15 Detail Design Standards. Determine if:

1. All parts are suitable for use with oxygen.

2. The regulator is located as close as physically possible to the oxygen cylinder and minimizes the use of fittings.

3. No solid metal lines are 100 percent visible during normal operation.

4. Each breathing device has a device attached that visually shows the flow of oxygen.

5. The lines that pass through potential fire zones are stainless steel.

6. When oxygen system components are added to the baggage compartments, there are provisions to protect the system components from shifting cargo.

7. Where oxygen components are installed, the compartment is placarded against the storage of oil or hydrocarbons.

8. A smoke detector is installed where oxygen cylinders are installed in a closed, nonaccessible compartment.

9. The cargo area weight limitations placard is updated.

10. All oxygen outlets are placarded.

11. “No Smoking When Oxygen Is In Use” placards and other appropriate placards

(i.e., operation instructions) are visible to the crew and occupants of the aircraft.

7.16 Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA). Determine if:

1. There are written instructions concerning system operation, maintenance, and cylinder changing procedures.

2. There are written instructions in the use of the oxygen equipment in the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) or placards.

Note: Any changes to the AFM must be approved by the FAA.

3. There are written inspection and test schedules and procedures.

4. Mechanical drawings and wiring diagrams are available, as required.

5. Written instructions are available concerning oxygen cylinder hydrostatic testing requirements and cylinder replacement requirements.

6. There is a scheduled (annual) check of a constant flow system manifold output pressure for recommended output pressure.

7. The guidance contained in AC 43.13-1, Chapter 9, Aircraft Systems and Components, paragraphs 9-47 through 9-51 is considered in the design of the oxygen maintenance program.

7-14

7.17 Recordkeeping. Determine if:

1. A maintenance record entry has been made. Refer to 14 CFR § 43.9.

2. The equipment list and Weight and Balance (W&B) have been revised.

8-1 CHAPTER 8. ROTORCRAFT EXTERNAL-LOAD DEVICE INSTALLATIONS,

CARGO SLINGS, AND EXTERNAL RACKS Section 1. General

8.1 Purpose. This section contains structural and design information for the fabrication and installation of a cargo sling used as an external-load attaching means for a Class B rotorcraft-load combination operation under 14 CFR part 133. As an external-load attaching means, a “cargo sling” includes a quick-release device (hook) and the associated cables, fittings, etc., used for the attachment of the cargo sling to the rotorcraft.

Title 14 CFR § 133.43(b) specifies the requirements for the quick-release device.

8.2 Hazards and Warnings. Particular attention should be paid to the effect of the sling load on the lateral as well as the fore and aft center of gravity (CG) of the rotorcraft. Use type certificate (TC), Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA), TS0, or Designated Engineering Representative (DER) approved parts.

8.3 References. It is the installer’s responsibility to ensure that the latest revisions of any regulations, ACs, manufacturer’s data, etc., are used in any cargo sling or rack installation. Refer to 14 CFR parts 27 and 29; Civil Air Regulation (CAR) 6, Rotorcraft Airworthiness; Normal Category; and CAR 7, Rotorcraft Airworthiness; Transport Categories.

8.4 Installation Considerations.

8.4.1 Location of Cargo Release in Relation to the Rotorcraft’s CG Limits. An ideal location would be one that allows the line of action to pass through the rotorcraft’s CG at all times (see Figure 8-1, Location of Cargo Release in Relation to the Rotorcraft’s Center of Gravity, Illustration A). However, with most cargo sling installations, this ideal situation is realized only when the line of action is vertical or near vertical and through the rotorcraft’s CG (see Figure 8-1, Illustration B).

8.4.1.1 Whenever the line of action does not pass through the rotorcraft’s CG due to the attachment method used, acceleration forces, or aerodynamic forces, the rotorcraft-load combined CG will shift from the rotorcraft’s CG position.

Depending upon the factors involved, the shift may occur along either or both the longitudinal or lateral axes. The amount of shift is dependent upon the force applied (F) and the length of the arm of the line of action. Their product (F x Arm) yields a moment that can be used to determine the rotorcraft-load combined CG (see Figure 8-1, Illustration C). If the rotorcraft-load CG is allowed to shift beyond the rotorcraft’s approved CG limits, the rotorcraft may become violently uncontrollable.

8-2 Figure 8-1. Location of Cargo Release in Relation to the Rotorcraft’s Center of Gravity

8.4.1.2 Thus, any attachment method or location that decreases the length of the arm will reduce the distance that the combined CG will shift for a given load (F) and line of action angle (see Figure 8-1, Illustration D).

8.4.2 Maximum External-Load. The maximum external-load (including the weight of the cargo sling) for which authorization is requested may not exceed the rated capacity of the quick-release device.

8.5 Fabrication and Installation.

8.5.1 Static Test. The cargo sling installation must be able to withstand the static load required by 14 CFR §§ 27.865(a) and 29.865(a). Conduct the test as outlined in Chapter 2, Structural Data. If required during the test, supports may be placed at the landing gear to airframe attach fittings to prevent detrimental deformation of the landing gear due to the weight of the aircraft.

8.5.2 Sling-Leg Angles of Cable-Supported Slings. The optimum sling-leg angle (measured from the horizontal) is 45 to 60 degrees. Minimum tension in a sling leg occurs with a sling-leg angle of 90 degrees, and the tension approaches infinity as the angle approaches zero. Thus, larger sling-leg angles are desirable from a standpoint of cable strength requirements. Slings should not be attached in such a manner as to provide sling-leg angles of less than 30 degrees.

8-3

8.5.3 Minimum Sling-Leg Cable Strength.

8.5.3.1 An analysis that considered the effects of 30-degree sling angles showed that the minimum cable strength design factor required would be 2.5 times the maximum external load for each leg regardless of the number of legs.

Although this is the minimum strength required by 14 CFR part 133, it may be desirable to double this value to allow for the deterioration of the sling-leg cables in service. This will result in a cable strength equal to five times the maximum external load.

Example: Maximum external load 850 pounds Minimum required sling-leg cable strength 850 x 2.5 = 2,125 Minimum desired sling-leg cable strength 850 x 2.5 x 2 = 4,250

8.5.3.2 A 3/16-inch, nonflexible 19-wire cable (MIL-DTL-87161G) provides a satisfactory cable strength. For convenience, the cable sizes desired for various loads have been calculated and are tabulated in Table 8-1 based on a factor of five:

Table 8-1. Cable Load Table Maximum External Load (pounds) Aircraft Cable Size for Each Cargo Sling Leg MIL-DTL-87161G Type II Carbon Steel MIL-DTL-83420N Carbon Steel MIL-DTL-83420N Corrosion Resistant Steel 100 1/16 3/32 3/32 200 3/32 3/32 1/8 300 7/64 1/8 1/8 400 1/8 1/8 5/32 500 5/32 5/32 3/16 600 5/32 3/16 3/16 700 3/16 3/16 3/16 800 3/16 3/16 7/32 900 3/16 7/32 7/32 1,000 7/32 7/32 7/32 1,200 7/32 1/4 1/4 1,400 1/4 1/4 9/32 1,600 1/4 9/32 5/16 1,800 5/16 5/16 5/16 2,000 5/16 3/8 3/8

8-4

8.5.4 Sling Installation.

8.5.4.1 Attach the cargo sling to landing gear members or other structure capable of supporting the loads to be carried. Install the quick-release device in a level attitude with the throat opening facing the direction as indicated on the quick-release device. When cables are used to support the quick-release device, make sure the cables are not twisted or allowed to twist in the direction to unlay the cable.

8.5.4.2 Some cargo release devices are provided with a fitting to permit installation of a guideline to assist in fully automatic engagement of the load target ring or load bridle. Secure the guideline to the quick-release device with a shear pin of a definite known value that will shear if a load becomes entangled on or over the guideline. Provision should also be made for cable-supported slings to be drawn up against the fuselage into a stowage position to prevent striking or dragging the release on the ground when not in use.

8.5.5 Installation of Release Controls. See Figure 8-2, Typical Cargo Sling Wiring Diagram, for a typical wiring diagram of the electrical controls.

8.5.5.1 Install a cargo release master switch, readily accessible to the pilot, to provide a means of deactivating the release circuit. The power for the electrical release circuit should originate at the primary bus. The “auto” position of the release master switch on some cargo release units provides for automatic release when the load contacts the ground and the load on the release is reduced to a preset value.

8.5.5.2 Install the cargo release switch on one of the pilot’s primary controls. It is usually installed on the cyclic stick to allow the pilot to release the load with minimum distraction after maneuvering the load into the release position.

8-5 Figure 8-2. Typical Cargo Sling Wiring Diagram

8.5.5.3 Install the emergency manual release control in a suitable position that is readily accessible to the pilot or other crewmember. Allow sufficient slack in the control cable to permit complete cargo movement without tripping the cargo release.

8.5.5.4 The manual ground release handle, a feature of some cargo release units, permits ground personnel to open the cargo release.

8.5.5.5 Label or placard all release controls as to each function and operation.

8.5.6 Functional Test.

8.5.6.1 Test the release action of each quick-release device release control with various loads up to and including the maximum external load. If the necessary load can be applied, this may be done in a test fixture or while installed on the rotorcraft.