Section 133.33. Operating Rules

6/3/2021

14 CFR § 133.33 - Operating rules. | CFR | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute

LII > Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) > Title 14 - Aeronautics and Space
> CHAPTER I - FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION
> SUBCHAPTER G - AIR CARRIERS AND OPERATORS FOR COMPENSATION OR HIRE:
CERTIFICATION AND OPERATIONS
> PART 133 - ROTORCRAFT EXTERNAL-LOAD OPERATIONS
> Subpart C - Operating Rules and Related Requirements > § 133.33 Operating rules.

14 CFR § 133.33 - Operating rules.
CFR

§ 133.33 Operating rules.
(a) No person may conduct a rotorcraft external-load operation without, or
contrary to, the Rotorcraft-Load Combination Flight Manual prescribed in §
133.47.
(b) No person may conduct a rotorcraft external-load operation unless (1) The rotorcraft complies with § 133.19; and
(2) The rotorcraft and rotorcraft-load combination is authorized under the
Rotorcraft External-Load Operator Certificate.
(c) Before a person may operate a rotorcraft with an external-load
configuration that differs substantially from any that person has previously
carried with that type of rotorcraft (whether or not the rotorcraft-load
combination is of the same class), that person must conduct, in a manner that
will not endanger persons or property on the surface, such of the following
flight-operational checks as the Administrator determines are appropriate to
the rotorcraft-load combination:

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14 CFR § 133.33 - Operating rules. | CFR | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute

(1) A determination that the weight of the rotorcraft-load combination and
the location of its center of gravity are within approved limits, that the
external load is securely fastened, and that the external load does not
interfere with devices provided for its emergency release.
(2) Make an initial liftoff and verify that controllability is satisfactory.
(3) While hovering, verify that directional control is adequate.
(4) Accelerate into forward flight to verify that no attitude (whether of the
rotorcraft or of the external load) is encountered in which the rotorcraft is
uncontrollable or which is otherwise hazardous.
(5) In forward flight, check for hazardous oscillations of the external load,
but if the external load is not visible to the pilot, other crewmembers or
ground personnel may make this check and signal the pilot.
(6) Increase the forward airspeed and determine an operational airspeed at
which no hazardous oscillation or hazardous aerodynamic turbulence is
encountered.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of part 91 of this chapter, the holder of a
Rotorcraft External-Load Operator Certificate may conduct (in rotorcraft type
certificated under and meeting the requirements of part 27 or 29 of this
chapter, including the external-load attaching means) rotorcraft external-load
operations over congested areas if those operations are conducted without
hazard to persons or property on the surface and comply with the following:
(1) The operator must develop a plan for each complete operation,
coordinate this plan with the responsible Flight Standards office for the area
in which the operation will be conducted, and obtain approval for the
operation from that office. The plan must include an agreement with the
appropriate political subdivision that local officials will exclude unauthorized
persons from the area in which the operation will be conducted, coordination
with air traffic control, if necessary, and a detailed chart depicting the flight
routes and altitudes.
(2) Each flight must be conducted at an altitude, and on a route, that will
allow a jettisonable external load to be released, and the rotorcraft landed,
in an emergency without hazard to persons or property on the surface.
(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of part 91 of this chapter, and except as
provided in § 133.45(d), the holder of a Rotorcraft External-Load Operator
Certificate may conduct external-load operations, including approaches,
departures, and load positioning maneuvers necessary for the operation,

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14 CFR § 133.33 - Operating rules. | CFR | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute

below 500 feet above the surface and closer than 500 feet to persons,
vessels, vehicles, and structures, if the operations are conducted without
creating a hazard to persons or property on the surface.
(f) No person may conduct rotorcraft external-load operations under IFR
unless specifically approved by the Administrator. However, under no
circumstances may a person be carried as part of the external-load under IFR.
[Doc. No. 24550, 51 FR 40708, Nov. 7, 1986, as amended by Amdt. 133-11,
54 FR 39294, Sept. 25, 1989; Docket FAA-2018-0119, Amdt. 133-16, 83 FR
9175, Mar. 5, 2018]

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