Airworthiness Manual Chapter 527 - Normal Category Rotorcraft - Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs)

See also CAR 527

Last amendment to chapter: 2024/01/24

Table of contents

  • Preamble
  • Subchapter A - General
      • 527.1 - Applicability
      • 527.2 - Special Retroactive Requirements
  • Subchapter B - Flight
    • General
      • 527.21 - Proof of Compliance
      • 527.25 - Weight Limits
      • 527.27 - Centre of Gravity Limits
      • 527.29 - Empty Weight and Corresponding Centre of Gravity
      • 527.31 - Removable Ballast
      • 527.33 - Main Rotor Speed and Pitch Limits
    • Performance
      • 527.45 - General
      • 527.49 - Performance at Minimum Operating Speed
      • 527.51 - Take-off
      • 527.65 - Climb: All Engines Operating
      • 527.67 - Climb: One Engine Inoperative
      • 527.71 - Autorotation Performance
      • 527.75 - Landing
      • 527.87 - Height-Velocity Envelope
    • Flight Characteristics
    • Ground and Water Handling Characteristics
    • Miscellaneous Flight Requirements
  • Subchapter C - Strength Requirements
    • General
    • Flight Loads
    • Control Surface and System Loads
    • Ground Loads
      • 527.471 - General
      • 527.473 - Ground Loading Conditions and Assumptions
      • 527.475 - Tires and Shock Absorbers
      • 527.477 - Landing Gear Arrangement
      • 527.479 - Level Landing Conditions
      • 527.481 - Tail-down Landing Conditions
      • 527.483 - One-wheel Landing Conditions
      • 527.485 - Lateral Drift Landing Conditions
      • 527.493 - Braked Roll Conditions
      • 527.497 - Ground Loading Conditions:Landing Gear with Tail Wheels
      • 527.501 - Ground Loading Conditions: Landing Gear with Skids
      • 527.505 - Ski Landing Conditions
    • Water Loads
      • 527.521 - Float Landing Conditions
    • Main Component Requirements
      • 527.547 - Main Rotor Structure
      • 527.549 - Fuselage, Landing Gear, and Rotor Pylon Structures
    • Emergency Landing Conditions
      • 527.561 - General
      • 527.562 - Emergency Landing Dynamic Conditions
      • 527.563 - Structural Ditching Provisions
    • Fatigue Evaluation
      • 527.571 - Fatigue Evaluation of Flight Structure
      • 527.573 - Damage Tolerance and Fatigue Evaluation of Composite Rotorcraft Structures
  • Subchapter D - Design and Construction
  • Subchapter E - Powerplant
  • Subchapter F - Equipment
    • General
      • 527.1301 - Function and Installation
      • 527.1301-1 - Rotorcraft Operations After Ground Cold Soak
      • 527.1303 - Flight and Navigation Instruments
      • 527.1305 - Powerplant Instruments
      • 527.1307 - Miscellaneous Equipment
      • 527.1309 - Equipment, Systems, and Installations
      • 527.1316 - Electrical and Electronic System Lightning Protection
      • 527.1317 - High-intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF) Protection
    • Instruments:Installation
      • 527.1321 - Arrangement and Visibility
      • 527.1322 - Warning, Caution, and Advisory Lights
      • 527.1323 - Airspeed Indicating System
      • 527.1325 - Static Pressure Systems
      • 527.1327 - Magnetic Direction Indicator
      • 527.1329 - Automatic Pilot and Flight Guidance System
      • 527.1337 - Powerplant Instruments
    • Electrical Systems and Equipment
    • Lights
      • 527.1381 - Instrument Lights
      • 527.1383 - Landing Lights
      • 527.1385 - Position Light System Installation
      • 527.1387 - Position Light System Dihedral Angles
      • 527.1389 - Position Light Distribution and Intensities
      • 527.1391 - Minimum Intensities in the Horizontal Plane of Forward and Rear Position Lights
      • 527.1393 - Minimum Intensities in Any Vertical Plane of Forward and Rear Position Lights
      • 527.1395 - Maximum Intensities in Overlapping Beams of Forward and Rear Position Lights
      • 527.1397 - Colour Specifications
      • 527.1399 - Riding Light
      • 527.1401 - Anti-collision Light System
    • Safety Equipment
  • Subchapter G - Operating Limitations and Information
  • Appendix A - Instructions for Continued Airworthiness
  • Appendix B - Airworthiness Criteria for Helicopter Instrument Flight
  • Appendix C - Criteria for Category A
  • Appendix D - HIRF Environments and Equipment HIRF Test Levels

(2002/06/01; no previous version)

Preamble

General

The content of this chapter is based on the United States Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 1, Part 27 entitled, Airworthiness Standards, Normal Category Rotorcraft. These United States airworthiness standards have been used and adapted as the model for the Canadian standards supplemented by additional airworthiness requirements based on Canadian experience and required for Canadian aviation purposes.

The FAR numbering system is used. The Canadian standards bears the same number as the FAR equivalent, prefixed by the number “5”, as this chapter contains the standards for Part V of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs).

First Edition

Effective: July 1, 1986

 

The Standards in this chapter are presented in a two column format with the United States FAR in the left column and the Canadian standards in the right column. Chapters, subchapters, sections and subsections numbering and headings are opposite to the equivalent FAR. Where the Canadian standard is identical to the FAR, the words “No Variation” appear; where a variation exits, the affected part of text is printed opposite to the FAR with all changes underlined.

The first issue of this chapter is based on FAR part 27, up to and including amendment 27-21. In addition to administrative changes (e.g., Administrator = Minister; part = Chapter) and the deletion of references to operating FARs, the Canadian variations included in this edition are as follows:

* Rotorcraft Operations after Ground Cold Soak, section 527.1301-1.

* Miscellaneous Markings and Placards, use of metric units, section 527.1557, paragraph (c)(3).

* Rotorcraft Flight Manual, section 527.1581, use of metric units, paragraph (e), and reference to operating rules, paragraph (f).

* Operating Limitations, Ambient temperature, section 527.1583, paragraph (h).

In addition, the following Airworthiness Manual Advisories (AMA) are attached to this chapter:

* AMA 500C/1 Aircraft or Equipment Incorporating Digital Computer Technology, dated 1 May 1986.

* AMA 500C/2 Multipurpose Electronic Flight Deck Display Systems, dated 1 May 1986.

* AMA 500C/3 Fire Protection - Ignition Sources, dated 1 May 1986.

* AMA 500C/4 Portable Fire Extinguishers for Use in Aircraft, dated 25 March 1986.

Change 527-1

Effective: January 1, 1989

 

This change incorporates Amendments 27-22 and 27-23 to the United States Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 1, Part 27:

* Amendment 27-22 “Cockpit Voice Recorders and Flight Recorders” provides standards governing the design and installation of cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders for rotorcraft. Generally the requirements and parameters for flight data recorders are upgraded to the level of the most sophisticated systems available; the use of digital recording equipment will henceforth be standard. Additionally, uninterrupted sound recording will be required in cockpit voice recorders. At the date of effectivity of this amendment, Air Navigation Order, Series II, Nos. 13 and 14, do not require cockpit voice recorders or flight data recorders in rotorcraft. The standards in Sections 527.1457 and 527.1459 will not be applicable unless specifically required in the type approval basis, a unique operational requirement, or voluntary compliance is requested and approved by Transport Canada.

* Amendment 27-23 “Rotorcraft Regulatory Review Program; Amendment No. 3” adopts new and revised airworthiness standards for the powerplant and rotor drive systems to respond to changing rotorcraft certification requirements brought on by technological advances. Amendment 27-23 is adopted with the exception of the amendment of 527.1093 subparagraph (b)(1). A variation is presently being developed to require all rotorcraft to demonstrate some capability to operate during flight encounters with snow, without adverse effect on engine operation. Pending approval of this variation, the present text of 527.1093 (b)(1) is reprinted on the right side of the page.

Information note:

Changes are identified by brackets [ ]; editorial alterations and typographical corrections are not identified.

Change 527-2

Effective: February 1, 1992

 

This change incorporates the following amendments to the United States Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 1, Part 27:

* Amendment 27-24 “Revision of General Operating Flight Rules”. This amendment changes a cross-reference to Part 91 in Appendix A of Part 27, therefore it is not applicable in Canada. This FAR change is part of a larger reorganization of the general U.S. operating and flight rules to make them more understandable and easier to use.

* Amendment 27-25 “Occupant Restraint in Normal and Transport Category Rotorcraft”. This amendment adds two dynamic crash impact design conditions for seat and occupant restraint systems and increases the static design load factors for seating devices and items of mass in the cabin or adjacent to the cabin. This amendment also prescribes a shoulder harness for each occupant and adopts human impact injury criteria as a measure for occupant protection for dynamic crash impact conditions.

* Amendment 27-26 “Rotorcraft Regulatory Review Program Amendment No. 4”. This amendment introduces new and revised airworthiness standards for certification of airframe and related equipment on both normal and transport category rotorcraft. This amendment resulted from a rotorcraft regulatory review program and the recognition by both the U.S. government and industry that updated safety standards were needed. The amendment provides a high level of safety in design requirements, while removing certain unnecessary existing burdens.

* Amendment 27-27 “Rotorcraft Airworthiness Amendments Based on European Joint Airworthiness Requirements Proposals”. This amendment introduces changes to the airworthiness standards for systems propulsion and airframe for both normal and transport category rotorcraft. In addition, the amendment introduces safety improvements, clarifies existing regulations, and standardizes terminology. The changes are based on some of the proposals that were submitted to the FAA by the European Airworthiness Authorities. The amendment is intended to achieve increased commonality of airworthiness standards among the respective countries. Transport Canada, Civil Aviation shares this objective of international harmonization of airworthiness standards for the certification of civil aircraft.

* Amendment 27-28 “Shoulder Harnesses in Normal and Transport Category Rotorcraft”. This amendment requires the installation and use of shoulder harnesses at all seats of rotorcraft manufactured after September 1992. In the right column, a Note states that the applicable Canadian retroactive requirements are being published in Air Navigation Order, Series II, No. 2.

In addition, this change introduces:

* A Canadian variation to section 527.1093 subparagraph (b)(1). In the Preamble to Change 527-1, it was annotated against FAR amendment 27-23, that the change in requirements for flight tests in snow conditions was not applicable in Canada and that a new requirement was under development. The variation published in this Change has been subjected to consultation with Canadian aviation industry and has received general acceptance. This variation is supplemented by the publication of advisory material AMA 500C/7, which provides guidance on acceptable means of compliance.

* The revision of previous preambles for completeness and clarity.

* The publication of the following advisory material:

* AMA 500C/5B Aircraft Operation After Ground Cold Soak, dated March 2, 1990.

* AMA 500C/6 Lightning Protection of Aircraft Fuel Systems, dated October 27, 1989.

* AMA 500C/7 Induction System Snow Protection, dated July 27, 1990

* AMA 500C/8 Composite Aircraft Structures, dated January 8, 1991.

Change 527-3

Effective: January 3, 1994

 

This change is the result of FAA NPRM 90-24. The proposed amendment entitled “Crash Resistant Fuel Systems in Normal and Transport Category Rotorcraft” intends to improve the survivability from helicopter crashes resulting in post crash fires. In anticipation of the final rule incorporating this amendment into FAR Part 27 and in harmonization with the JAA, Transport Canada has adopted this proposed amendment. The standards intend to minimize spillage of fuel (and other flammable fluids) near ignition sources, minimize potential ignition sources and improve evacuation time needed for crew and passengers to escape a post crash fire.

The adoption of this rule was object of NPA 93-03.

Second Edition

Change 527-4

Published: June 1, 2002

 

1. General

This change introduces a new format such as the removal of the left-hand column containing the FARs. The Canadian standards in this chapter are now presented in a full-page format. Canadian variations from the FARs are underlined with the FAR text following in a shaded box. The change number and date of affected pages has been removed from the bottom of the page. Instead, affected sections will be followed by change numbers as well as previous change numbers with applicable dates.

With the incorporation of this change, the entire chapter, including all the associated advisory material (AMAs), is republished in a Second Edition.

2. FAR Amendments

This change incorporates the technical standards contained in the following amendments to the United States Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 1, Part 27, for which Notices of Proposed Amendments (NPAs) were issued to solicit industry comments on their adoption by reference.

These NPAs were issued under the simplified procedure for the amendment of the design standards of the Airworthiness Manual, approved by the Civil Aviation Regulatory Committee on October 15, 1997, and are noted in the following FAR amendment description. It must be noted that FAR amendment effective dates in the Airworthiness Manual (AWM) Chapter 527 will differ from the FAR amendment effective dates of the United States Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 14, Part 27. Furthermore, AWM Chapter 527 may have, within the text of the requirements, effective dates listed that are different from the effective dates that are listed in the text of the requirements of the United States Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 1, Part 27. An information note with the applicable dates underlined in the AWM requirement will be used to highlight any differences.

FAR Amendment 27-29

Effective: March 25, 1995

 

This amendment entitled “New Rotorcraft 30 second/2-minute One Engine Inoperative Power Ratings” adopts new and revised Airworthiness Standards by incorporating optional One-Engine-Inoperative (OEI) power ratings for Multi-engined Turbine-Powered Rotorcraft. These standards enhance rotorcraft safety after an engine failure or shutdown by providing higher OEI power. (NPA 94-14)

FAR Amendment 27-30

Effective: June 5, 1995

 

This amendment entitled “Crash Resistant Fuel Systems in Normal and Transport Category Rotorcraft” adds comprehensive crash resistant fuel system design and test criteria. These new standards will minimize fuel spillage near ignition sources and potential ignition sources, thus reducing the post crash fire hazard to the occupants.

Concurrently with the adoption by reference of this amendment, a Canadian variation to section 527.975 subparagraph (b) was approved to more accurately reflect the tendency of helicopter to rollover during crash landing, by deleting the following phrase:

“unless a rollover is shown to be extremely remote.”

The adoption by reference of this amendment, including the Canadian variation, was object of NPA 95-02.

Information note:

Prior to the adoption of this amendment, Transport Canada adopted FAA NPRM 90-24 and incorporated the proposed rule without the above variation at Change 3 of this Chapter.

Also refer to Amendment 27-35.

FAR Amendment 27-31

Information note:

Amendment FAR 27-31 “Revision of Authority Citation” was not adopted as it dealt with the recodification of the US Federal Aviation Act of 1958 and is therefore not applicable.

FAR Amendment 27-32

Effective: April 7, 1997

 

This amendment entitled “Occupant Protection in Normal and Transport Category Rotorcraft” which significantly increases the ultimate design load factor for restraining heavy items located above or behind the occupied area during emergency landings. (NPA 96-02)

FAR Amendment 27-33

Effective: April 7, 1997

 

This amendment entitled “Rotorcraft Regulatory Changes Based on European Joint Aviation Requirements” which revises the airworthiness standards for performance, systems, propulsion, and airframes for normal and transport category rotorcraft. In addition, this amendment increases the regulatory safety level, clarifies existing regulations, and standardizes terminology. These changes are based on standards incorporated by the European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) for Joint Aviation Requirements (JAR) 27 and 29 and are intended to harmonize airworthiness standards among the respective countries. (NPA 96-03)

FAR Amendment 27-34

Effective: October 29, 1998

 

This technical amendment amends the airworthiness standards for normal and transport category rotorcraft. As published, the final regulations contain some incorrect word usage and omissions, misspellings and incorrect references that may prove to be misleading and are in need of correction. (NPA 1998-175)

FAR Amendment 27-35

Effective: November 23, 1998

 

This amendment entitled “Harmonization of Miscellaneous Rotorcraft Regulations” amends the airworthiness standards to require a cockpit indication of autopilot operating mode to the pilots for certain autopilot configurations, to clarify the burn test requirements for electrical wiring for transport category rotorcraft, and to provide a new requirement for an electrical wire burn test for normal category rotorcraft. The rule also adds a 1.33 fitting factor structural strength requirements to the attachment of litters and berths. (NPA 1998-177)

With amendment 27-35 the FAA also harmonized their requirement of paragraph 27.975 (b) with the Canadian variation 527.975 (b) introduced at amendment 27-35. The text is presently harmonized and the variation does not exist any longer, effective on the date of adoption of this amendment.

FAR Amendment 27-36

Effective: December 1, 1999

 

This amendment entitled “Rotorcraft Load Combination Safety Requirements” revises the airworthiness standards to provide improved safety standards for rotorcraft load combination (RLC) certification. Several accidents occurred in the past 15 years involving the carriage of human external to the rotorcraft. These amendments provide an increased level of safety in the carriage of humans and are harmonized to international standards. Also, these amendments address advances in technology and significant changes in equipment employed in external load operations. (NPA 1999-171)

FAR Amendment 27-37

Effective: November 23, 1999

 

This amendment entitled “Normal Category Rotorcraft Maximum Weight and Passenger Seat Limitation” increases the maximum weight limit from 6,000 to 7,000 pounds, updates the safety standards, and adds a passenger seat limitation of nine. These changes offset the increased weight imposed by additional requirements such as recent requirements to improve occupant survivability in the event of an accident. (NPA 1999-168)

FAR Amendment 27-38

Information note:

Amendment 27-38, entitled “Critical Parts” is not included in this change issue. Adoption of this amendment by reference is pending.

FAR Amendment 27-39

Information note:

Amendment 27-39, “Revision of Authority Citations” adopts new authority citation for Title 14 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations. It does not apply in Canada.

3. CARAC Working Group

This amendment also implements the recommendations of CARAC Working Group 527-529.

In 1996 the integration of the existing Design Standards of this Manual into the new Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), Part V was delayed as a result of a request by Canadian aviation industry to review these standards, in particular the Canadian variations, and all associated Canadian advisory material (AMAs) for their accuracy and appropriateness.

Due to the time-frame for CARs implementation, the CARAC Airworthiness Technical Committee V formed several Working Groups made up of industry and Transport Canada specialists to review those variations, AMAs and any applicable Special Conditions and make recommendations to the Committee for their disposition.

The final report of the 527/529 Working Group was completed in July 1999 and presented to CARAC Technical Committee V in September 1999. All the recommendations were approved by the Civil Aviation Regulatory Committee (CARC) on 10 December 1999. With the publication of this Change to Chapter 527, Transport Canada Civil Aviation, Aircraft Certification Branch, starts the implementation of those recommendations.

Therefore, this change includes:

(a) The amendment to Canadian variation 527.1093 (b)(1)(iii) to correct the terminology, (NPA 2000-99)

(b) The cancellation of Canadian variation 527.1581 (e)(2), (e)(3) and (f). (NPA 2000-100)

(c) The cancellation of Canadian variation 527.975 (b) as explained in the text of amendment 27-35.

(d) The cancellation of Canadian variation 527.1581 (e)(1). (NPA 2001-014)

Information note:

Section 527.2 (a)(4)(i) is underlined to emphasize the Canadian terminology relating to conformity.

(e) The publication of the following new or revised advisory material:

* AMA 500/7A Induction System Snow Protection, dated 27 January 2000;

* AMA 500/8B Composite Aircraft Structure, dated 8 November 1999;

* AMA 500/9A Standards For The Design And Installation of Aircraft Skis, dated 29 October 1999;

* AMA 500/10 Restricted Category Certification of Small Aeroplanes and Helicopters for Special Purpose Operations, dated 23 August 2001;

* AMA 500/11 Airworthiness Standards For The Design Of Aircraft Floats, dated 2 February 1998;

* AMA 500/12 Carriage of Bulk Liquids in Aircraft, dated 7 April 2000.

(f) The cancellation of the following advisory material:

* AMA 500C/1 Aircraft Or Equipment Incorporating Digital Computer Technology, dated 1 May 1986, superseded by FAA AC 20-115B;

* AMA 500C/2 Multipurpose Electronic Flight Deck Display Systems, dated 1 May 1986;

* AMA 500C/6 Lightning Protection of Aircraft Fuel Systems, dated 27 October 1989.

4. Miscellaneous Changes

This change also includes editorial corrections, including the update of cross references to CARs (e.g. 527.1).

Due to the consolidation of all regulatory requirements previously found in the Air Regulations and Air Navigation Orders into the new Canadian Aviation Regulations, administrative changes are included in this amendment to update the regulatory references and terminologies (e.g. Type Certificate instead of Type Approval).

Change 527-5

Effective: December 1, 2004

 

In an effort to harmonize our regulatory guidance documents with those of other international aviation authorities and other branches within Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), the Aircraft Certification Branch has decided to replace existing Airworthiness Manual Advisories (AMA) related to certification of aeronautical products with new Advisory Circulars (AC). While the content of the new ACs will remain technically the same as the corresponding AMAs, which they will replace, the format of the ACs will be standardized to conform to other guidance documents published within the branch.

This change in guidance documentation becomes effective 1 December 2004 at which time the AMAs will be cancelled and replaced by their corresponding Advisory Circular concurrent with the next publishing of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CAR). After this time, the CARAC Secretariat will no longer publish these AMAs and, consequently, ACs will not be published with their corresponding AWM Chapter. As of the 1 December 2004 issue of the CARs, any affected AMA references and content will have been removed. However, the AMA Index found in AMA 500/00 will, for now, continue to exist to provide a cross-reference between the old AMAs and the new ACs.

Change 527-6

Published: 1 June 2005

 

1. General

This change introduces a new amendment format. This new amendment format is now introduced in this chapter of the Airworthiness Manual in order to be more consistent with the administrative procedures followed to amend the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs).

The following changes to the amendment procedures are introduced in this Change 527-6 in the sections amended by the NPA listed further below:

  • the preamble will be the focal point regarding the sections affected by this change. The change number will no longer be provided at the end of an amended section. Rather, for the current change only, the amended text will be followed by an amendment tag identifying the coming into force date of the provision. (example: (amended 2003/06/01))
  • brackets “[]” will no longer be used to identify new or revised text. On the paper version, new or revised text will be highlighted. In the electronic version, new or revised text will not be highlighted but followed by an electronic link to the previous version of the modified text. (example: (amended 2003/06/01; previous version))
  • the preamble will include tables of change information. These tables will include the Notices of Proposed Amendments (NPA) with the corresponding amended sections.

2. FAR Amendments

This change incorporates the following amendments to the United States Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14, Chapter I, Part 27:

FAR Amendment 27-38

Effective: 23 June 2003

Table of Change Information
Notice of Proposed Amendment Amended Section(s)
  • 2002-064
  • 527.602

This amendment revises the airworthiness standards for both normal and transport category rotorcraft. This amendment defines critical parts and requires a critical parts list, with procedures, to control the design, substantiation, manufacture, maintenance, and modification of critical parts.

FAR Amendment 27-39

See information regarding this amendment in Change 527-4 of this preamble.

FAR Amendment 27-40

Effective: 24 October 2001

Table of Change Information
Notice of Proposed Amendment Amended Section(s)
  • 2001-252
  • 527.397

This amendment revises technical content that relate to limit pilot forces and torques.

FAR Correction

Effective: 19 November 2003

Table of Change Information
Notice of Proposed Amendment Amended Section(s)
  • 2003-253
  • 527.613

This amendment entitled “Material Strength Properties and Design Values” rectifies the editorial error that was introduced when the FAA amendment 27-26 was adopted in the AWM.

Change 527-7

Published: 30 December 2008

 

This change incorporates the following amendment to the United States Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14, Chapter I, Part 27:

Information note:

There is presently no FAR Amendment 27-41 as this number was skipped in the U.S. 14 CFR part 27.

FAR Amendment 27-42

Effective: 30 October 2008

Table of Change Information
Notice of Proposed Amendment Amended Section(s)
  • 2008-004
  • 527.1317
  • Appendix D

This amendment entitled “High-Intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF) Protection for Aircraft Electrical and Electronic Systems” revises the airworthiness standards for Normal Category Rotorcraft. This action is necessary due to the vulnerability of aircraft electrical and electronic systems and the increasing use of high-power radio frequency transmitters. It is intended to create a safer operating environment for civil aviation by protecting aircraft and their electrical and electronic systems from the adverse effects of HIRF.

Change 527-8

Published: 30 June 2009

 

This change incorporates the following amendment to the United States Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14, Chapter I, Part 27:

FAR Amendment 27-43

Effective: 11 May 2009

Table of Change Information
Notice of Proposed Amendment Amended Section(s)
  • 2008-068
  • 527.1457
  • 527.1459

This amendment entitled “Revisions to Cockpit Voice Recorder and Digital Flight Data Recorder Standards” revises the airworthiness standards for Normal Category Rotorcraft. This amendment increases the duration of certain CVR recordings, requires physical separation of the DFDR and CVR, improves the reliability of the power supplies to both the CVR and DFDR, and requires that certain datalink communications received on an aircraft be recorded if datalink communication equipment is installed. This amendment is based on recommendations issued by the National Transportation Safety Board following its investigations of several accidents and incidents. These changes to CVR and DFDR systems are intended to improve the quality and quantity of information recorded, and increase the potential for retaining important information needed for accident and incident investigations.

FAR Amendment 27-44

Effective: 11 May 2009

Table of Change Information
Notice of Proposed Amendment Amended Section(s)
  • 2008-070
  • 527.25
  • 527.49
  • 527.51
  • 527.71
  • 527.73
  • 527.75
  • 527.79
  • 527.87
  • 527.143
  • 527.173
  • 527.175
  • 527.177
  • 527.903
  • 527.1587
  • Appendix B

This amendment entitled “Performance and Handling Qualities Requirements for Rotorcraft” provides new and revised airworthiness standards for normal category rotorcraft due to technical advances in design and operational trends in normal category rotorcraft performance and handling qualities. The changes enhance the safety standards for performance and handling qualities to reflect the evolution of rotorcraft capabilities. This amendment harmonizes Transport Canada, U.S. and European airworthiness standards.

Change 527-9

Published: 1 December 2009

 

On December 1, 2009, Part V Subpart 21 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CAR 521) came into force. CAR 521 replaces the following Regulations in Part V - Airworthiness:
Subpart 11 - Approval of the Type Design of an Aeronautical Product
Subpart 13 - Approval of Modification and Repair Designs
Subpart 16 - Aircraft Emissions
Subpart 22 - Gliders and Powered Gliders
Subpart 23 - Normal, Utility, Aerobatic and Commuter Category Aeroplanes
Subpart 25 - Transport Category Aeroplanes
Subpart 27 - Normal Category Rotorcraft
Subpart 29 - Transport Category Rotorcraft
Subpart 31 - Manned Free Balloons
Subpart 33 - Aircraft Engines
Subpart 35 - Aircraft Propellers
Subpart 37 - Aircraft Appliances and Other Aeronautical Products
Subpart 41 - Airships
Subpart 51 - Aircraft Equipment
Subpart 91 - Service Difficulty Reporting
Subpart 93 - Airworthiness Directives
In addition, with publication of CAR 521, the following Chapters of the Airworthiness Manual have been withdrawn:
Chapter 511 - Approval of the Type Design of an Aeronautical Product
Chapter 513 - Approval of Modification and Repair Designs
Standard 591 - Service Difficulty Reporting
Standard 593 - Airworthiness Directives

This change amends sections 527.1 and 527.602 to reflect changes in legal drafting style, in terminology and in references required because of the introduction of CAR 521. In addition, subsection 521.31(1) of the CARs is now used to legally enable this Chapter of the AWM

Change 527-10

Published: June 1, 2012

This change incorporates the following notice of proposed amendment correction to Appendix B.

Chapter 527

Effective: March 27, 2012

Correction (Appendix B – Section VIII)
(Equipment, Systems and Installation)

Table of Change Information
Notice of Proposed Amendment Amended Section(s)
  • 2010-025
  • Appendix B – Section VIII

This NPA clarifies the FAR reference in section VIII of Appendix B of the Airworthiness Manual.

Included in this group of amendments is FAR Amendment 27-19, as published in the US Federal Register, Vol. 48, No. 21, dated January 31, 1983 with an effective date of March 2, 1983. This amendment introduced Appendix B to Chapter 527 and 529. However, a reference to the FAR was directly transposed to Chapter 527, Appendix B and needs to be corrected.

The first issue of Chapter 527 of the Airworthiness Manual was published July 1, 1986 and was based on FAR Part 27, up to and including amendment 27-21.

Change 527-11

Published: July 31, 2014

This Change incorporates the following amendments to the United States Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14, Chapter I, Part 27:

FAR Amendment 27-43, Correction

Effective: July 8, 2014

Table of Change Information
Notice of Proposed Amendment Amended Section(s)
  • 2014-008
  • 527.1457
  • 527.1459

This amendment entitled “Revisions to Cockpit Voice Recorder and Digital Flight Data Recorder Regulations” amends design standards introduced by NPA 2008-068, effective 11 May 2009. This amendment modifies AWM 527.1457 by separating the two requirements in paragraph (d)(1) of each section into two subparagraphs, and also modifies AWM 527.1459 by separating the two requirements in paragraph (a)(3) of each section into two subparagraphs, as proposed herein.

Information note:

The FAA's correction to Amendment 27-43 contains references to 'airplane', where Transport Canada understood that this was intended to refer instead to 'rotorcraft', both in § 27.1457(d)(1)(ii) and § 27.1459(a)(3)(i). Transport Canada made this word substitution as part of NPA 2014-008. The FAA subsequently corrected the error in Amendment 27-45. Hence, Transport Canada has not needed to raise an NPA to adopt the subsequent correction of FAA's Final Rule Amendment 27-45 needed for the FAA's Final Rule Amendment 27-43.

FAR Amendment 27-46

Effective: July 8, 2014

Table of Change Information
Notice of Proposed Amendment Amended Section(s)
  • 2013-006
  • 527.610
  • 527.1309
  • 527.1316
  • Appendix B

This amendment entitled “Electrical and Electronic System Lightning Protection” revises the airworthiness standards applicable to normal category rotorcraft by establishing new lightning protection standards for electrical and electronic systems installed on rotorcraft certified under Chapter 527.

This amendment establishes two levels of lightning protection for rotorcraft systems based on consequences of system function failure: catastrophic consequences which would prevent continued safe flight and landing; and hazardous or major consequences which would reduce the capability of the rotorcraft or the ability of the flight crew members to respond to an adverse operating condition. This standard also establishes lightning protection for rotorcraft systems according to the rotorcraft's potential for lightning exposure.

FAR Amendment 27-47

Effective: July 8, 2014

Table of Change Information
Notice of Proposed Amendment Amended Section(s)
  • 2013-010
  • 527.573
  • Appendix A

This amendment entitled “Damage Tolerance and Fatigue Evaluation of Composite Rotorcraft Structures” revises airworthiness standards for type certification requirements of normal and transport category rotorcraft. The amendment requires evaluation of fatigue and residual static strength of composite rotorcraft structures using a damage tolerance evaluation, or a fatigue evaluation if the applicant establishes that a damage tolerance evaluation is impractical and addresses advances in composite structures technology and provides internationally harmonized standards.

The Minister shall issue type certificates for aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, and specified appliances when the Minister finds the product is properly designed and manufactured, performs properly, and meets the regulations and minimum standards. This proposed amendment is within the scope of these authorities because it will promote safety of composite structures by updating the existing minimum prescribed standards, used during the type certification process, to address advances in composite structural fatigue substantiation technology. It will also harmonize this standard with international standards for evaluating the fatigue strength of normal and transport category rotorcraft composite primary structural elements.

Change 527-12

Published: October 3, 2019

This Change incorporates the following amendment to the United States Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14, Chapter I, Part 27:

FAR Amendment 27-48

Effective: August 15, 2019

Table of Change Information
Notice of Proposed Amendment Amended Section(s)
  • 2019-008
  • 527.773

This amendment entitled Pilot Compartment View amends the design standards of this chapter by incorporating the requirements of amendment 27-48 to Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), Part 27, as published in the Federal Register, Volume 81, No. 239, on December 13, 2016.

This amendment revises the airworthiness standards for pilot compartment view by adding requirements for vision systems using a transparent display surface located in the pilot’s outside field of view, such as a head-up display, head mounted display, or other equivalent display. Prior to this amendment, there was no airworthiness standards for the use of such systems, including Enhanced Flight Vision Systems (EFVS).

In addition, in the French version only, the title of section 27.773 is slightly modified in order to make it less ambiguous.

Change 527-13

Published: July 13, 2020

This Change incorporates the following amendment to the United States Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14, Chapter I, Part 27:

FAR Amendment 27-49

Effective: January 14, 2020

Table of Change Information
Notice(s) of Proposed Amendment Amended Section(s)
  • 2019-019
  • 527.685

This amendment entitled “References changes – Control System Details" amends the design standards of this chapter by incorporating the requirements of amendment 27-49 to Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), Part 27, as published in the U.S. Federal Register, Volume 83, No. 43, on March 5, 2018.

As a result of a recent reorganization within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), this amendment replaces or removes some specific office references with more appropriate generic references.

This amendment also includes editorial changes, including the removal of the reference to the U.S. approval of the incorporation by reference which is not applicable to the Canadian Airworthiness Manual (AWM).

This amendment also eliminates certain editorial differences between the airworthiness standards of the FAA and those of Transport Canada, and promotes consistency of writing style within the AWM Part V.

FAR Amendment 27-50

Effective: January 14, 2020

Table of Change Information
Notice(s) of Proposed Amendment Amended Section(s)
  • 2019-020
  • 527.773

This amendment entitled “Rotorcraft Pilot Compartment View” amends the design standards of this chapter by incorporating the requirements of amendment 27-50 to Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), Part 27, as published in the Federal Register, Volume 83, No. 44, on March 6, 2018.

This amendment revises the design standards of airworthiness for Normal and Transport category rotorcraft with respect to pilot compartment view to allow ground tests to demonstrate compliance for night operations.

Change 527-14

Published: January 24, 2024

This change incorporates the following amendment to the United States Code of Federal Regulation, Title 14 (14 CFR), Chapter I, Subchapter C, Part 27:

Amendment 27-51

Effective: January 24, 2024

Table of Change Information
Notice(s) of Proposed Amendment Amended Section(s)
  • 2023-015
  • 527.87
  • 527.903
  • 527.1305
  • 527.1309
  • 527.1329
  • 527.1335
  • 527.1353
  • 527.1545
  • 527.1549
  • 527.1555
  • 527.1587
  • Appendix B
  • Appendix C

Amendment 27-51 entitle Normal and Transport Category Rotorcraft Certification was published in the Federal Register, Volume 88, No. 28, on February 10, 2023.

The amendment incorporated by this change addresses modern designs currently used in the rotorcraft industry and is expected to reduce the burden on applicants for certification of new rotorcraft designs. It incorporates the provisions of equivalent level of safety findings and means of compliance issue papers required when approving certain design features.

In addition, this change includes editorial corrections of undue differences between AWM 527 and 14 CFR part 27, and elimination of an obvious oversight in the Final Rule concerning Appendix C, section C27.2, where section 29.1309 was not removed.