Definition
The section of the Federal Aviation Regulations that sets the airworthiness standards for transport category rotorcraft. It governs the design, construction, performance, and equipment requirements for larger, more capable helicopters, typically those above 20,000 pounds maximum weight or with ten or more passenger seats.
Plain English
This is the FAA rulebook that says how large transport helicopters must be built and equipped to be considered safe enough to fly. Manufacturers must prove their helicopter meets every requirement in this part before it can be sold and used.
Context Anchor
Seen in helicopter certification discussions, especially when determining whether a helicopter is approved for instrument flight.
Derivation
CFR stands for Code of Federal Regulations, the official collection of rules issued by U.S. government agencies. Title 14 covers Aeronautics and Space, and Part 29 is the specific chapter dealing with transport category rotorcraft. The number 29 is just the assigned section number — it has no meaning beyond being its place in the table of contents.
Why Pilots Care
A helicopter must be certificated under this part to conduct many transport and IFR passenger operations; pilots verify compliance before flight planning.
Intuition Check
Do not read “Part 29” as a handbook chapter or page number. It is a legal rule reference: Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 29.
Example Sentence 1
The new offshore helicopter is certified under 14 CFR Part 29, so it meets the higher standards required for transport category rotorcraft.
Example Sentence 2
Transport category helicopters built to 14 CFR Part 29 standards allow higher passenger loads in instrument meteorological conditions.