412 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 133.35 

flight-operational checks as the Ad-
ministrator determines are appropriate 
to the rotorcraft-load combination: 

(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 exter-
nal load is securely fastened, and that 
the external load does not interfere 
with devices provided for its emer-
gency release. 

(2) Make an initial liftoff and verify 

that controllability is satisfactory. 

(3) While hovering, verify that direc-

tional 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 haz-

ardous 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 haz-
ardous aerodynamic turbulence is en-
countered. 

(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 at-
taching 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, coordi-
nate 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 po-
litical subdivision that local officials 
will exclude unauthorized persons from 
the area in which the operation will be 
conducted, coordination with air traf-
fic 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 per-
sons 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, de-
partures, and load positioning maneu-
vers necessary for the operation, below 
500 feet above the surface and closer 
than 500 feet to persons, vessels, vehi-
cles, and structures, if the operations 
are conducted without creating a haz-
ard to persons or property on the sur-
face. 

(f) No person may conduct rotorcraft 

external-load operations under IFR un-
less specifically approved by the Ad-
ministrator. However, under no cir-
cumstances 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] 

§ 133.35 Carriage of persons. 

(a) No certificate holder may allow a 

person to be carried during rotorcraft 
external-load operations unless that 
person— 

(1) Is a flight crewmember; 
(2) Is a flight crewmember trainee; 
(3) Performs an essential function in 

connection with the external-load op-
eration; or 

(4) Is necessary to accomplish the 

work activity directly associated with 
that operation. 

(b) The pilot in command shall en-

sure that all persons are briefed before 
takeoff on all pertinent procedures to 
be followed (including normal, abnor-
mal, and emergency procedures) and 
equipment to be used during the exter-
nal-load operation. 

[Doc. No. 24550, 51 FR 40708, Nov. 7, 1986] 

§ 133.37 Crewmember training, cur-

rency, and testing requirements. 

(a) No certificate holder may use, nor 

may any person serve, as a pilot in op-
erations conducted under this part un-
less that person—