AMC 31GB.28(a) Tethered Flight Loads

• ED Decision 2011/012/R found in: CS-31GB Initial issue - Free Gas Balloons (Dec 2011)

AMC 31GB.28(a) Tethered Flight Loads ED Decision 2011/012/R Due to the complexity of tethered flight loading, a simple analysis using configurations based on industry best practice (e.g. restraints/tether lines in a ‘flat tripod’ configuration with upwind and downwind v-bridles) can be used to determine the suitability of a design. The structure needs to be designed so that stress concentrations beyond the limit of fatigue are avoided in areas where normal operation may produce varying stress. Note: The greatest danger during tethering is if any element of the tethering equipment should fail with insufficient positive buoyancy for safe free flight. For this reason, a single point/single element tethering should not be considered.