 
518
14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition)
§ 27.727
at ground contact in normal power-off 
landings. 
(b) If considered, the rotor lift speci-
fied in § 27.473(a) must be introduced 
into the drop test by appropriate en-
ergy absorbing devices or by the use of 
an effective mass. 
(c) Each landing gear unit must be
tested in the attitude simulating the 
landing condition that is most critical 
from the standpoint of the energy to be 
absorbed by it. 
(d) When an effective mass is used in
showing compliance with paragraph (b) 
of this section, the following formula 
may be used instead of more rational 
computations: 
W
W
h
d
h
d
n
n
W
W
L
e
j
e
=
×
+ −
(
)
+
=
+
1 L
and
;
where:
W
e
= the effective weight to be used in the
drop test (lbs.);
W = W
M
for main gear units (lbs.), equal to
the static reaction on the particular unit 
with the rotorcraft in the most critical 
attitude. A rational method may be used 
in computing a main gear static reac-
tion, taking into consideration the mo-
ment arm between the main wheel reac-
tion and the rotorcraft center of gravity. 
W = W
N
for nose gear units (lbs.), equal to
the vertical component of the static re-
action that would exist at the nose 
wheel, assuming that the mass of the 
rotorcraft acts at the center of gravity 
and exerts a force of 1.0
g downward and
0.25
g forward.
W = W
T
for tailwheel units (lbs.), equal to
whichever of the following is critical:
(1) The static weight on the tailwheel with
the rotorcraft resting on all wheels; or
(2) The vertical component of the ground
reaction that would occur at the tailwheel, 
assuming that the mass of the rotorcraft 
acts at the center of gravity and exerts a 
force of l
g downward with the rotorcraft in
the maximum nose-up attitude considered in 
the nose-up landing conditions. 
h = specified free drop height (inches). 
L = ration of assumed rotor lift to the rotor-
craft weight.
d = deflection under impact of the tire (at
the proper inflation pressure) plus the 
vertical component of the axle travels 
(inches) relative to the drop mass. 
n = limit inertia load factor. 
n
j
= the load factor developed, during impact,
on the mass used in the drop test (i.e.,
the acceleration
dv/dt in g’s recorded in
the drop test plus 1.0).
§ 27.727
Reserve energy absorption
drop test.
The reserve energy absorption drop
test must be conducted as follows:
(a) The drop height must be 1.5 times
that specified in § 27.725(a).
(b) Rotor lift, where considered in a
manner similar to that prescribed in 
§ 27.725(b), may not exceed 1.5 times the 
lift allowed under that paragraph. 
(c) The landing gear must withstand
this test without collapsing. Collapse 
of the landing gear occurs when a 
member of the nose, tail, or main gear 
will not support the rotorcraft in the 
proper attitude or allows the rotorcraft 
structure, other than the landing gear 
and external accessories, to impact the 
landing surface. 
[Doc. No. 5074, 29 FR 15695, Nov. 24, 1964, as 
amended by Amdt. 27–26, 55 FR 8001, Mar. 6, 
1990] 
§ 27.729
Retracting mechanism.
For rotorcraft with retractable land-
ing gear, the following apply:
(a)
Loads. The landing gear, retract-
ing mechansim, wheel-well doors, and 
supporting structure must be designed 
for— 
(1) The loads occurring in any ma-
neuvering condition with the gear re-
tracted; 
(2) The combined friction, inertia,
and air loads occurring during retrac-
tion and extension at any airspeed up 
to the design maximum landing gear 
operating speed; and 
(3) The flight loads, including those
in yawed flight, occurring with the 
gear extended at any airspeed up to the 
design maximum landing gear extended 
speed. 
(b)
Landing gear lock. A positive
means must be provided to keep the 
gear extended. 
(c)
Emergency operation. When other
than manual power is used to operate 
the gear, emergency means must be 
provided for extending the gear in the 
event of— 
(1) Any reasonably probable failure in
the normal retraction system; or
(2) The failure of any single source of
hydraulic, electric, or equivalent en-
ergy. 
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519
Federal Aviation Administration, DOT
§ 27.753
(d)
Operation tests. The proper func-
tioning of the retracting mechanism 
must be shown by operation tests. 
(e)
Position indicator. There must be a
means to indicate to the pilot when the 
gear is secured in the extreme posi-
tions. 
(f)
Control. The location and oper-
ation of the retraction control must 
meet the requirements of §§ 27.777 and 
27.779. 
(g)
Landing gear warning. An aural or
equally effective landing gear warning 
device must be provided that functions 
continuously when the rotorcraft is in 
a normal landing mode and the landing 
gear is not fully extended and locked. 
A manual shutoff capability must be 
provided for the warning device and the 
warning system must automatically 
reset when the rotorcraft is no longer 
in the landing mode. 
[Amdt. 27–21, 49 FR 44434, Nov. 6, 1984]
§ 27.731
Wheels.
(a) Each landing gear wheel must be
approved.
(b) The maximum static load rating
of each wheel may not be less than the 
corresponding static ground reaction 
with— 
(1) Maximum weight; and 
(2) Critical center of gravity. 
(c) The maximum limit load rating of 
each wheel must equal or exceed the 
maximum radial limit load determined 
under the applicable ground load re-
quirements of this part. 
§ 27.733
Tires.
(a) Each landing gear wheel must
have a tire—
(1) That is a proper fit on the rim of
the wheel; and
(2) Of the proper rating. 
(b) The maximum static load rating 
of each tire must equal or exceed the 
static ground reaction obtained at its 
wheel, assuming— 
(1) The design maximum weight; and 
(2) The most unfavorable center of 
gravity.
(c) Each tire installed on a retract-
able landing gear system must, at the 
maximum size of the tire type expected 
in service, have a clearance to sur-
rounding structure and systems that is 
adequate to prevent contact between 
the tire and any part of the structure 
or systems. 
[Doc. No. 5074, 29 FR 15695, Nov. 24, 1964, as 
amended by Amdt. 27–11, 41 FR 55469, Dec. 20, 
1976] 
§ 27.735
Brakes.
For rotorcraft with wheel-type land-
ing gear, a braking device must be in-
stalled that is— 
(a) Controllable by the pilot; 
(b) Usable during power-off landings; 
and
(c) Adequate to— 
(1) Counteract any normal unbal-
anced torque when starting or stopping 
the rotor; and 
(2) Hold the rotorcraft parked on a
10-degree slope on a dry, smooth pave-
ment. 
[Doc. No. 5074, 29 FR 15695, Nov. 24, 1964, as 
amended by Amdt. 27–21, 49 FR 44434, Nov. 6, 
1984] 
§ 27.737
Skis.
The maximum limit load rating of
each ski must equal or exceed the max-
imum limit load determined under the 
applicable ground load requirements of 
this part. 
F
LOATS AND
H
ULLS
§ 27.751
Main float buoyancy.
(a) For main floats, the buoyancy
necessary to support the maximum 
weight of the rotorcraft in fresh water 
must be exceeded by— 
(1) 50 percent, for single floats; and 
(2) 60 percent, for multiple floats. 
(b) Each main float must have 
enough water-tight compartments so 
that, with any single main float com-
partment flooded, the main floats will 
provide a margin of positive stability 
great enough to minimize the prob-
ability of capsizing. 
[Doc. No. 5074, 29 FR 15695, Nov. 24, 1964, as 
amended by Amdt. 27–2, 33 FR 963, Jan. 26, 
1968] 
§ 27.753
Main float design.
(a)
Bag floats. Each bag float must be
designed to withstand—
(1) The maximum pressure differen-
tial that might be developed at the 
maximum altitude for which certifi-
cation with that float is requested; and 
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