Definition
The section of the Federal Aviation Regulations that governs the operation of moored balloons, kites, amateur rockets, unmanned free balloons, and certain model aircraft. For balloon pilots, it sets the rules for unmanned free balloons, including operating limitations, equipment requirements, notification, lighting and marking, and reporting.
Plain English
It is the part of the FAA rulebook that says what you may and may not do when flying an unmanned balloon, a kite, a small rocket, or similar craft that has no pilot on board.
Context Anchor
You will see this citation in FAA material when unmanned free balloon operations are being tied back to the actual federal rules that control them.
Derivation
CFR stands for Code of Federal Regulations, the official collection of U.S. federal rules. Title 14 covers Aeronautics and Space, and within it each numbered part deals with a specific topic. Part 101 is the part covering moored balloons, kites, amateur rockets, and unmanned free balloons.
Why Pilots Care
Manned pilots need to know the rules unmanned balloon operators must follow so they can anticipate possible conflicts during flight planning and maintain safe separation.
Intuition Check
Do not read “part” here as a physical part of an aircraft. In “14 CFR part 101,” “part” means a numbered section of the federal aviation regulations.
Example Sentence 1
Before releasing the unmanned weather balloon, the launch crew reviewed 14 CFR part 101 to confirm the equipment and notification requirements.
Example Sentence 2
While planning a cross-country flight the pilot reviewed 14 CFR part 101 to identify any areas where free balloons might be operating without prior notice.