(a) Fuel tank vents. Each fuel tank must be vented from the top part of the expansion space so that venting is effective under normal flight conditions. In addition -
(1) The vents must be arranged to avoid stoppage by dirt or ice formation;
(2) The vent arrangement must prevent siphoning of fuel during normal operation;
(3) The venting capacity and vent pressure levels must maintain acceptable differences of pressure between the interior and exterior of the tank, during -
(i) Normal flight operation;
(ii) Maximum rate of ascent and descent; and
(iii) Refueling and defueling (where applicable);
(4) Airspaces of tanks with interconnected outlets must be interconnected;
(5) There may be no point in any vent line where moisture can accumulate with the rotorcraft in the ground attitude or the level flight attitude, unless drainage is provided;
(6) No vent or drainage provision may end at any point -
(i) Where the discharge of fuel from the vent outlet would constitute a fire hazard; or
(ii) From which fumes could enter personnel compartments; and
(7) The venting system must be designed to minimize spillage of fuel through the vents to an ignition source in the event of a rollover during landing, ground operations, or a survivable impact.
(b) Carburetor vapor vents. Each carburetor with vapor elimination connections must have a vent line to lead vapors back to one of the fuel tanks. In addition -
(1) Each vent system must have means to avoid stoppage by ice; and
(2) If there is more than one fuel tank, and it is necessary to use the tanks in a definite sequence, each vapor vent return line must lead back to the fuel tank used for takeoff and landing.
[Doc. No. 5084, 29 FR 16150, Dec. 3, 1964, as amended by Amdt. 29-26, 53 FR 34217, Sept. 2, 1988; Amdt. 29-35, 59 FR 50388, Oct. 3, 1994; Amdt. 29-42, 63 FR 43285, Aug. 12, 1998]