The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
is the governmental authority in the United States that regulates unmanned
balloon flight. The rules they are charged to enforce are set out in small portion
of a policy book called Code of Federal Regulations.
The section of interest to balloon enthusiasts is
labeled “Title 14, Chapter I, Subchapter F, Part 101.” The formal
language can be found here.
The title alone tells you that the rules are written
in a very bureaucratic style. And yes, they are confusing to follow. To make
things worse, rules for kites and tethered balloons are mixed in too.
What follows is an attempt to untangle what the FAA
rules mean. Obviously, this analysis is not official. Nonetheless, it is a
careful attempt at clarifying the practical meaning of the regulation
language.
After reading through the rules, it becomes very
apparent that it is best to keep the payload weight under 6 lbs. to minimize
exposure to FAA rules. Of course a lighter payload has the benefit of lower launch cost by way of smaller balloon size and less lifting gas.
The FAA rules are organized by payload
weight – the more the payload weighs, the more restrictive the rules
become. But regardless of weight, the
following rules apply to all unmanned balloons:
RULES FOR ALL FLIGHTS REGARDLESS OF WEIGHT:
Rule (1):
Balloons cannot enter prohibited / restricted aviation air
space. The practical implications of this rule is to select a launch
site were the predicted flight path of your balloon operation will stay clear
of the restricted air spaces defined by FAA aviation charts. If a launched
balloon appears to be traveling into restricted space, communications with the
FAA is necessary to make them aware the situation.
Rule (2): A
balloon flight operation cannot create a hazard to people and property.
Further, a balloon flight cannot release or drop an object if it creates a
hazard to people or property. A hazard is understood to mean a realistic risk
to do harm or damage.
Rule (3): The
cord or rope connecting the payload to the balloon must separate after an "… impact force of 50 pounds."
Regrettably, the FAA regulations do not define the meaning of "impact
force." Further this characteristic is not a metric measured by cord / rope
manufacturers - and therefore impossible to determine compliance. However, in
the spirit of achieving the intent of this regulation, a best
practice is to use the lightest cord available that will withstand the rigors
of high altitude winds, but not more than necessary.
RULES FOR A PAYLOAD LESS THAN 4 LBS.:
Beyond the rules just noted, a flight string with
a single payload box weighing less than four pounds has no additional rules.
The FAA treats it as if it were an errant party balloon.
RULES FOR PAYLOADS OF LOW DENSITY BETWEEN 4 LBS.
AND 6 LBS.:
If the payload box(s) weigh between four pound
and six pounds, a balloon flight has no additional rules if the payload box is
low density – defined as less than three (3) ounces per square inch. The ratio
is determined by dividing the total payload box weight in ounces by the area in
square inches of its smallest surface.
If the density exceeds this standard, the rules
for payloads over 6 lbs. apply.
RULES FOR SINGLE PAYLOADS OVER 6 LBS. OR MULTIPLE
PAYLOADS ON A TRAIN TOTALING MORE THAN 12 LBS.:
Rule (4): No balloons may fly under
2,000 feet in the perimeter of an airport labeled as Class B, C, D, or E
airspace. Aviation maps such as those available here can be used to identify the airport
perimeter type.
Rule (5): Balloons may not be
launched if there is greater than 50% cloud cover.
Rule (6): Balloons may not fly if any horizontal
visibility of less than five (5) miles.
Rule (7): In the first 1,000 feet of ascent,
a balloon may not fly over a city or town or group of people not aware of
the flight operation.
Rule (8): Balloons must have at least two
independent systems for ending the balloon flight.
Rule (9): The balloon “train” must include an aviation
radar reflector.
Rule (10): The balloon flight must be terminated
if weather conditions change making cloud cover greater than 50% or
horizontal visibility of less than five (5) miles, or other conditions
that make the balloon a hazard.
Rule (11): The balloon may not be in flight below
60,000 feet before sunrise or after sunset unless equipped with flashing lights
that make the balloon / payload visible for at least five (5) miles.
Rule (12): Balloons that include antenna must
break with an impact force of 50 pounds unless they have colored pennants /
streamers that are visible for at least one (1) mile.
Rule (13): Local FAA Air Traffic Control (ATC)
must be notified between 6 and 24 hours of a pending flight. The information
they want includes:
(a) balloon identification
(b) date, time of launch
(c) launch site
(d) cursing altitude
(e) forecast trajectory
(f) time the balloon reaches 60,000 feet altitude
(g) length of the balloon train
(h) weight of the payload
(i) length of trailing antenna
(j) estimated duration of the flight
(k) time of touch down
(l) forecast touch down location
Rule (15): The local FAA Air Traffic Control
center must be contacted immediately after the balloon is launched or if the
flight operation is canceled.
Rule (16): The balloon flight path must be monitored
and forward position report to the ATC as requested.
Rule (17): One hour prior to descent, the
following information must be forwarded to local Air Traffic Control:
(a) current geographical position
(b) current attitude
(c) forecast time the balloon falls below 60,000 feet
altitude
(d) forecast trajectory remaining for the flight
(e) forecast time and location of touch-down
Rule (18) If the balloon location can not be
identified after a period of two hours, the local FAA Air Traffic Control must
be notified. They will want all the last known location information and
trajectory.
Rule (19): The FAA Air Traffic must be notified
when the balloon operation has ended.
Footnote: What is meant by the word “payload?”
The regulations do not define “payload”, but the interpretation is just payload
box, exclusive of the balloon and all gear between the payload and the balloon
(parachute, cut-down method, etc.).
