81-05-03: Fuel tank shut-off valve modification

FAA order 81-05-03 is an airworthiness directive in force since March 11, 1981. The FAA's subject line: Fuel tank shut-off valve modification. It names Balloon Works FIREFLY 5, Balloon Works FIREFLY 6, Balloon Works FIREFLY 8: about 206 aircraft on the U.S. register today across them, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: engine.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product: Aircraft
Makes: JR Aerosports, LTD
Models: Firefly 5, Firefly 6, Firefly 6B, Firefly 7, Firefly 7B, Firefly 8-24
On this site: Balloon Works FIREFLY 5 5 registered
Balloon Works FIREFLY 6 18 registered
Balloon Works FIREFLY 8 183 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since: March 11, 1981
Docket: Unknown
Status: Current
The FAA's document: Read the order on the FAA's site

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (989 characters)

81-05-03  THE BALLOON WORKS:  Amendment 39-4053.  Applies to Firefly Models 5, 6, 6B, 7, 7B and 8-24 series hot air balloons equipped with Fire 2 auxiliary heaters incorporating The Balloon Works fuel tanks part numbers BW 3229-A through BW 3229-N and BW 3307-A through BW 3307-H, certificated in all categories. 

	Compliance required within the next 10 hours time in service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished. 

	To prevent inadvertent operation of the Fire 2 heater system during a hard landing, even though the tank valve has been closed, accomplish the following: 

	Modify the Fire 2 fuel tank shut-off valve in accordance with The Balloon Works Service Bulletin B12 dated December 15, 1980, or later FAA approved revision, or an equivalent method approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, Southern Region. 

	Make an appropriate maintenance record showing compliance with this AD. 

	This amendment becomes effective March 11, 1981.

Related safety bulletins advice on the same designs, not orders

2011-07-13CE-11-44 · Fuel: Cylinder Strap Installation

Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of October 7, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/81-05-03.json · aircraft systems.