FAA-H-8083-11, Balloon Flying Handbook
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FAA-H-8083-11 U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration BALLOON FLYING HANDBOOK BALLOON FLYING HANDBOOK 2001 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION Flight Standards Service PREFACE This Balloon Flying Handbook introduces the basic pilot knowledge and skills that are essential for piloting balloons. It introduces pilots to the broad spectrum of knowledge that will be needed as they progress in their pilot training. This handbook is for student pilots, as well as those pursuing more advanced pilot certificates. Student pilots learning to fly balloons, certificated pilots preparing for additional balloon ratings or who desire to improve their flying proficiency and aeronautical knowledge, and commercial balloon pilots teaching balloon students how to fly should find this handbook helpful. This book introduces the prospective pilot to the realm of balloon flight and provides information and guidance to all balloon pilots in the performance of various balloon maneuvers and procedures. This handbook conforms to pilot training and certification concepts established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). There are different ways of teaching, as well as performing flight procedures and maneuvers, and many variations in the explanations of aerodynamic theories and principles. This handbook adopts a selective method and concept to flying balloons. The discussions and explanations reflect the most commonly used practices and principles. Occasionally, the word must or similar language is used where the desired action is deemed critical. The use of such language is not intended to add to, interpret, or relieve a duty imposed by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). It is essential for persons using this handbook to also become familiar with and apply the pertinent parts of 14 CFR and the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM). Performance standards for demonstrating competence required for pilot certification are prescribed in the appropriate balloon practical test standard. The FAA gratefully acknowledges Brent Stockwell, Christine Kalakuka, and the Balloon Publishing Company for giving permission to use parts of their book entitled “How to Fly a Balloon.” The current Flight Standards Service airman training and testing material, and subject matter knowledge codes for all airman certificates and ratings can be obtained from the Regulatory Support Division, AFS-600, home page on the Internet. The Regulatory Support Division’s Internet address is: http://afs600.faa.gov Comments regarding this handbook should be sent to U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Airman Testing Standards Branch, AFS-630, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125. This handbook can be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), Washington, DC 20402-9325, or from U.S. Government Bookstores located in major cities throughout the United States. AC 00-2, Advisory Circular Checklist, transmits the current status of FAA advisory circulars and other flight information and publications. This checklist is free of charge and may be obtained by sending a request to U.S. Department of Transportation, Subsequent Distribution Office, SVC-121.23, Ardmore East Business Center, 3341 Q 75th Avenue, Landover, MD 20785. The checklist is also available on the Internet at http://www.faa.gov/abc/ac-chklst/actoc.htm iii CONTENTS CHAPTER 1—INTRODUCTION TO CLOTHING ................................................... 2-7 BALLOONING CREW BRIEFINGS .......................................... 2-7 HISTORY ........................................................... 1-1 TYPES OF FLIGHT .......................................... 2-7 PHYSICS ........................................................... 1-1 PILOT/CREW COMMUNICATIONS ....................... 2-9 BASIC BALLOON TERMS ....................................... 1-2 CHASE ........................................................... 2-9 BALLOON COMPONENTS ....................................... 1-2 CHASE CREW ............................................... 2-9 ENVELOPE ................................................... 1-2 PRE-LAUNCH CONSIDERATIONS ........................ 2-9 HEATER SYSTEM ........................................... 1-2 DIRECTION OF FLIGHT ...................................2-10 BASKET ....................................................... 1-2 CHASE CREW BEHAVIOR ...............................2-10 SUPPORT EQUIPMENT ........................................... 1-2 INFLATION FAN ............................................. 1-2 CHAPTER 3—INFLATION, LAUNCH, AND TRANSPORT/CHASE VEHICLE ........................... 1-4 LANDING MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS .................................. 1-4 INFLATION ......................................................... 3-1 CHOOSING A BALLOON ........................................ 1-5 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND .............................. 3-1 ADVANTAGES OF BALLOON SIZES ..................... 1-5 INFLATION STYLE .......................................... 3-1 SELECTING A NEW OR USED BALLOON ............. 1-5 BRIEFING TO CREW AND PASSENGERS ............. 3-2 BALLOON BRANDS ........................................ 1-5 CREW BRIEFING ..................................... 3-2 PASSENGER BRIEFING .............................. 3-2 CHAPTER 2—PREPARING FOR FLIGHT THE INFLATION ............................................. 3-2 FLIGHT PLANNING ............................................... 2-1 LAUNCH ........................................................... 3-4 WEATHER .................................................... 2-1 APPROACH TO LANDING ...................................... 3-5 WEATHER BACKGROUND PREPARATION ........ 2-1 SOME BASIC RULES OF LANDING .................... 3-5 SPECIFIC WEATHER PREPARATION ............... 2-1 STEP-DOWN APPROACH ................................. 3-6 WEATHER RECORD KEEPING ..................... 2-1 LOW APPROACH ........................................... 3-6 WEATHER PREFLIGHT BRIEFING ................. 2-1 OBSTACLES .................................................. 3-6 EQUIPMENT .................................................. 2-2 CONGESTED AREAS ....................................... 3-7 LAUNCH SITE ............................................... 2-2 LANDING TECHNIQUES ................................... 3-7 PURPOSE OF FLIGHT ...................................... 2-2 PRACTICE APPROACHES .................................. 3-8 SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES ............................... 2-2 PASSENGER MANAGEMENT ............................. 3-9 MOUNTAIN FLYING .................................. 2-2 LANDING ..........................................................3-10 COLD WEATHER FLYING ........................... 2-2 LANDING PROCEDURE VARIATIONS ..................3-10 FLYING IN NEW TERRITORY ............................ 2-2 HIGH-WIND LANDING ..................................3-10 CLOTHING ................................................... 2-3 LANDING CONSIDERATIONS ............................3-10 PERSONAL HEALTH ........................................ 2-3 CREW RESPONSIBILITIES ................................3-11 PREFLIGHT OPERATIONS ....................................... 2-3 MAINTAINING GOOD RELATIONS WITH WIND DIRECTION ......................................... 2-3 LANDOWNERS ............................................3-11 LAUNCH SITE ............................................... 2-3 LAUNCH SITE SURFACE ............................ 2-3 CHAPTER 4—INFLIGHT MANEUVERS REMOVING THE BALLOON FROM THE VEHICLE .. 2-4 STANDARD BURN ................................................ 4-1 ASSEMBLY ................................................... 2-4 LEVEL FLIGHT .................................................... 4-2 LAYOUT ...................................................... 2-4 USE OF INSTRUMENTS ......................................... 4-4 SPREAD LAYOUT ..................................... 2-4 ASCENTS AND DESCENTS ..................................... 4-4 STRIP LAYOUT ........................................ 2-4 ASCENTS ..................................................... 4-4 PROGRESSIVE FILL .................................. 2-5 DESCENTS ................................................... 4-5 ROLE OF THE INFLATOR FAN .................... 2-5 MANEUVERING ................................................... 4-5 CHECKLISTS ....................................................... 2-5 WINDS ABOVE ................................................... 4-5 PREFLIGHT INSPECTION CHECKLIST ................... 2-6 PIBAL ......................................................... 4-5 EMERGENCY CHECKLIST ................................. 2-6 OTHER BALLOONS ......................................... 4-6 CREW ........................................................... 2-6 WINDS ALOFT FORECASTS .............................. 4-6 NUMBER OF CREWMEMBERS ............................ 2-7 WINDS BELOW ................................................... 4-6 v CONTOUR FLYING ............................................... 4-7 CHAPTER 7—REGULATIONS AND REGULATIONS ............................................... 4-7 MAINTENANCE 14 CFR PART 91, SECTION 91.119— REGULATIONS ..................................................... 7-1 MINIMUM SAFE ALTITUDES: GENERAL ...... 4-7 MAINTENANCE ................................................... 7-1 CONTOUR FLYING TECHNIQUES ........................ 4-9 REQUIRED MAINTENANCE ............................... 7-1 SOME DISADVANTAGES