SECTION 2. MANAGING THE AVIATION EVENT
25. PRESHOW ACTIVITY.
Schedules and priorities have a tendency to get hectic before the start of even a properly planned event, e.g., performers asking when and where the briefing is to take place, fire department personnel trying to find out where their trucks and ambulances are to be stationed, concession stand operators looking for electrical outlets, etc. If sufficient, responsible personnel have not been assigned to handle each aspect of the numerous functions associated with a successful event, last-minute problems can appear.
b. Preshow Briefing. One thing that is required of all waivers for aerial demonstrations is the preshow briefing of all performers. For performing teams, it is permissible for just the team leader or other performing member to attend in lieu of every member. The team leader or other performing member must then assume the responsibility for briefing each of the other members of the team. It is imperative that the briefing cover every aspect of the event. The following list of subjects shall be covered at every briefing:
(1) Weather brief.
(i) Who gives the briefing, i.e., sponsor, Flight Service Station specialist, etc.
(ii) Source of information.
(iii) If forecasts are involved, the valid time of forecasts.
(2) Runway in use.
(3) Taxi instructions.
(4) Performer aircraft parking.
(5) Aviation event radio communication frequencies.
(6) Emergency procedures.
(7) Showlines.
(8) Area avoidance.
(9) Review of provisions on the FAA waiver.
(10) Review of the schedule.
(11) Aircraft departure plan.
(12) Next briefing (if necessary).
(13) Questions.
(14) Credential check and signing area.
(15) ALL participants sign waiver.
(16) Fueling procedures.
Departure from Other Airports. At an airport location where a performing or fly-by aircraft will depart from a location other than the airshow site, a telephone briefing must be conducted with the pilots of those aircraft.
Nonairport Location Briefing. If the event is to be conducted at a nonairport location, special procedures for the briefing of the pertormers must be established. The performers must be informed well in advance of the briefing date, time, location, and if appropriate, directions to where the briefing will take place. In addition to the subjects listed in paragraph 25b, the briefing should cover any subjects unique to the aviation event location (e.g., desert terrain, mountainous area, site near water, etc.).
26. AVIATION EVENT PERSONNEL.
Chap 2 Par 25 15
AC 91-45C The actual number of individuals assigned to air and ground operations duties will vary dependent upon the size of the event. It may range from 3 or 4 people at a small aviation event to 50 or more at a large aviation event. It is important that all tasks be addressed and that no individual is so burdened that safety is compromised.
b. The aviation event director or a designated representative is responsible for all aspects of presenting the aviation event. It is his or her duty to set policy and monitor the conduct of the aviation event.
c. An independent safety observer should be assigned by and report directly to the aviation event director. An independent safety observer should use a checklist to monitor all air and ground operations activities throughout the aviation event. During the aviation event, the independent safety observer should immediately report any unsafe situation to the aviation event director.
d. It may be appropriate to have an assistant operations director to divide tasks.
However, it is important that the final authority for air and ground operations authority be with one individual and not several who are working on numerous, independent tasks.
A primary responsibility of the air and ground operations director is to complete early and ongoing communication with the airport manager, FAA FSDO, and Air Traffic Control representatives. These individuals and representatives must be aware of aviation event activities and be kept informed.
f. Air and ground operations coordinators are responsible for accomplishment of all aspects of the specific area to which they are assigned.
The following is a list of coordinators recommended by the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS):
(1) Act coordinator.
16 2/1/90
(2) Display aircraft coordinator.
(3) Maintenance support coordinator.
(4) Housing/Transportation coordinator.
(5) Special event coordinator.
(6) Military teams coordinator.
(7) Fly-in coordinator.
(8) Aircraft security coordinator.
(9) Operations assistants.
Operations assistants are individuals assigned to the various coordinators as necessary.
For example, four assistants might be assigned to help park aircraft, or they may be a person speccifically assigned to operate a radio in the tower.
All tasks of the air and ground operations staff might be accomplished by 1 or 2 people until approximately 30 days before the event. However, as the aviation event date approaches, the coordination and implementation of tasks is beyond the capability of one or two people. The appropriate number of staff coordinators should be identified and assigned early.
This helps to prevent crisis management in the final days before and during the event weekend.
Written records should be required of all coordinators. These might consist of memos, records of phone calls, completed forms, records of meetings, checklists, and critiques. The idea is to have a clear and verifiable means to determine that all tasks have been completed and to create accurate records which may be used in future planning.
An air and ground operations checklist is a good tool to guide the staff through its various essential tasks. It should be adjusted to fit the specific event and built upon from year to year.
Chap 2 Par 26
2/1/90
k. Administration is the management of all avialable resources. The management of all available resources is best conducted through effective communication and recordkeeping, both internally and exterally to other departments.
Each person on the air and ground operations team is responsible in some way for the administrative process.
27. FLYING PARTICIPANTS.
Each participant should have operational information pertinent to the scheduled aviation event before arriving at the site. It is recommended that a copy of the completed FAA Form 7711-2, including diagrams, maps, charts, photos, etc., be forwarded to participants at the same time the application is submitted to the FAA. It is recommended that participants be made aware of aircraft servicing procedures, where and when the aviation event briefing will take place, the time and location of any airworthiness inspections, and any additional information which will help participants be informed before their arrival. The idea is to impart as much operational information as practical in advance so that participants are not deluged at the last min- Chap 2 Par 26 AC 91-45C ute with operational procedures and instructions on top of an already packed schedule of activities.
b. Aircraft rides for hire and media flights are two unique flight operations which frequently must be addressed by aviation event organizers.
Permission to conduct aircraft rides for hire is based upon the same criteria that is applied to any other participant. Thorough planning and thought should also be given to the times rides are allowed, the ingress/egress safety of passengers, and positive security control of the entire aircraft-ride ground operation.
Qualified aviation event participants have a keen interest in the conduct of a safe operation. The primary safety check-and-balance used by the aviation event organizer is the establishment of the credentials of each participant and his or her aircraft, confirmation of the participants' experience in an aviation event environment, and provision to each flying participant with the proper information regarding operations at that specific event.
28.-30. RESERVED.
17 (thru 22)
CHAPTER 3. MILITARY DEMONSTRATION TEAMS
31. SCOPE AND CONTENTS. The guidelines in this chapter apply to military aircraft, military pilots, and parachute teams specifically designated to perform missions for the Department of Defense (DOD).
to exit over a congested area and the determination of authorized passengers during performances. DOD accepts the responsibility for these technical judgments with respect to the safety of the jump exhibition.
32. APPROVED PROFILES. All performances shall be in accordance with a planned profile approved by the applicable command.
various military teams shall provide the FAA with approved maneuver packages. Send to:
FAA General Aviation Staff, AFS-20 800 Independence Ave., SW Washington, D.C. 20591
33. DOD SANCTIONED TEAMS. The aerial demonstration teams sanctioned by the DOD are the U.S. Air Force "Thunderbirds" and the U.S.
Navy "Blue Angels."
34. OTHER MILITARY TEAMS NOT SANC- TIONED BY DOD. Other military teams who frequently perform at public events are the Army and Navy Service Academy Teams. Operations by the academy teams are maintained by their respective academy staff. The requirements for a performance by a DOD nonsanctioned team shall be the same as those for a civilian team.
35. MILITARY PARACHUTE TEAMS. One DOD-sanctioned military parachute team is the U.S. Army Golden Knights. The Golden Knights have two demonstration teams as well as competition teams (e.g., the Black Team and the Gold Team). Therefore, more than one unit operating under the designated team name could be jumping at two different locations. The U.S. Navy "Leap Frogs" are also a DOD-sanctioned parachute team.
The military team determines site acceptability, effect of wind conditions, and location of exiting the aircraft. This includes the decision AR FAA Merm 7/22-2 must de submitted to the FAA FSDO having jurisdiction over the area in which the jump will occur. The application must contain a statement that the military command or service has determined that adequate safety margins exist at the demonstration site for the scheduled demonstration by the specific team on a specific date.
Other military jump teams, such as the U.S. Navy's "Chuting Stars," are not DOD-sanctioned. They may be allowed to perform the same jumps as civilians with a USPA Class C or D license. Determination of site acceptability, wind conditions, and location of exit from the aircraft (including exit over congested areas) shall be made by the team leader. DOD accepts the responsibility for these technical judgments with respect to safety. An FAA Form 7711-2 shall be submitted to the FAA FSDO having jurisdiction over the jump area.
36. TEAM QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAIN- ING. The proficiency and ability of the members of military units are determined by the military command. Therefore, members of military demonstration teams should not be questioned about their competency to perform their approved routines.
37. MILITARY PARTICIPATION. DOD requires that a DOD Form 2535, Request for Military Aviation Participation, be completed for all military aircraft events not conducted on a military installation. To obtain a copy of DOD Form 2535, contact the nearest local military installation. DOD Form 2535 must be completed by the event sponsor or a designated representative. The sponsor or representative must forward Chap 3 Par 31 23
AC 91-45C DOD Form 2535 to the appropriate FAA FSDO for the completion of the feasibility determination.
DOD requires that any event requiring a waiver of the FAR must have the proposed site classified as either "satisfactory" or "unsatisfactory" during a feasibility study of the site conducted by an FAA inspector. A "satisfactory" classification indicates that following compliance with requirements, a waiver can be issued. An unsatisfactory" classification indicates that the site is not approved for the requested military operations portion of the aviation event. If the site is marked "unsatisfactory" by the FAA, the request is not accepted by DOD.
38. SPECIALIZED TEAMS. The armed forces also sanction specialized teams which demonstrate the capabilities of one particular aircraft, e.g., the U.S. Air Force F-16 Tactical Demonstration These specialized teams also develop maneuver packages which define the aerobatic routine to be performed at aviation events.
list of pilots authorized to conduct the aerobatic routines may be obtained from the FAA FSDO.
Only designated aircraft and pilots may perform at aviation events in which FAR § 91.71 is waived. Demonstrations by these speciali.
teams must have command approval. If the local national guard group wants to perform aerobatics at an aviation event, a maneuvers package, approved by its command, must be submitted for review and approval well in advance of the periormance.
39. ARRIVAL DEMONSTRATIONS. Military aerial demonstration teams may wish to put on an arrival show when they fly into the site of a scheduled aviation event. This normally consists of several passes for visual familiarity with existing landmarks and the practice of maneuvers using these landmarks. If a waiver is required for the arrival demonstration, the details should be worked out during the meeting with the FAA FSDO inspector-in-charge. The FAA will approve the arrival show provided it can be safely accomplished.
24 2/1/90
a. If the arrival show means aerobatic operations over populated areas, the show shall not be authorized. A good rule of thumb for determining whether or not an arrival show will be approved is,Will everything necessary for the event itself be taken care of except crowd control and emergency facilitiesi If the answer to this question is NO, then an arrival show can only consist of normal flight operations conducted within the FAR.
team "advance man" accept the arrivat show The military often asks to have the briefing and relay all necessary information to the If the advance man is a rated aviator serving with the team, this should be allowed.
Briefings with the team leader, or a representative, must be completed before the team's arrival at the local show site.
40. FOREIGN MILITARY TEAMS. The considerations and procedures of this chapter also apply to military teams sanctioned by other countries.
41. DOD FEASIBILITY STUDY. Before a DOD-sanctioned aerial demonstration team or parachute team accepts an invitation to participate at an aviation event, DOD requires that the FAA conduct a feasibility study to determine whether or not the proposed operation can be conducted.
Sponsor Responsibilities. It is the responsibility of the event sponsor to obtain and to submit DOD Form 2535 to the FAA.
b. Conducting a Feasibility Study.
feasibility study is normally conducted during the late summer months for an aviation event that will take place the following show season.
Normally, an on-site inspection is required, as a minimum, to determine the status of new construction or other environmental changes in the
c. Inspector Requirements. If the inspector believes that the 7.5 series Topographic Quad- Chap 3 Par 37
2/1/90 rangle Map for the area is necessary to conduct the feasibility study, the inspector will request the map from the sponsor of the event. This may be necessary at a site where the U.S. Navy "Blue Angels" or the U.S. Air Force "Thunderbirds" are appearing for the first time or at sites where new construction may affect a location's suitability for an aviation event.
42. SPECIAL WAIVER PROVISIONS. While the FAA has emphasized the need to maintain standard aviation event separation requirements at sites where it can be accomplished, the aerial demonstration teams may request and receive a special waiver of FAR §§ 91.79(b) and (c) for nonaerobatic flight at altitudes of 200 feet above the highest obstacle within a 3 nautical mile distance from the designated show center along the approved ingress/egress route to and from the aerobatic maneuvering area. The request for the special waiver by the Commanding Officer of the military team should be approved provided:
a. An on-site survey of the demonstration area has been completed by the Commanding Officer of the military demonstration team or a designated member of the team.
A meeting with the Commanding Officer or a designated member of the team, the waiver applicant or designated representative, and the appropriate representative of the FAA FSDO has been held to discuss the potential impact of the operation on the surrounding area.
FAR §§ 91.79(b) and (c), minimum safe altitudes, A letter requesting a special waiver of from the Commanding Officer or the designated member of the team is provided to the FAA FSDO. The letter should specify the altitudes and area over which the special waiver is required. The letter should also state that the Commanding Officer or the designated member of the team, as an authorized representative of the DOD, has completed an on-site survey of the Chap 3 Par 41 AC 91-45C proposed area of operation, has discussed the impact of the operation with the event waiver applicant and the appropriate FAA FSDO representative, and that the demonstration, as provided to the FAA in the command maneuvers package, can be safely conducted in the area. It should further state that the Commanding Officer will accept full responsibility for the operation.
DOD has agreed to approve official demonstration events only when safety is not derogated. Under no circumstances will flight at altitudes less than 500 feet above ground level (AGL) be conducted over designated spectator areas nor shall aviation event aerobatic maneuvers be conducted over spectator or congested areas.
e. While the guidelines in this chapter are primarily oriented to U.S. military precision flight demonstration teams, the procedures may also be applicable to foreign teams. A Letter of Authorization for lower than standard minimums for foreign military teams shall be issued by AFS-20, and only under special circumstances.
Any questions a sponsor may have involving a team should be directed to:
U.S. Army Parachute Team Operations Officer Box 70126 Ft. Bragg, NC 28307-0126
(919) 396-2036 U.S. Navy Blue Angels Events Coordinator NAS Pensacola, FL 32508
(904) 452-2585 U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Air Show Coordinator P.O. Box 9733 Nellis AFB, NV 89191
(702) 652-9593
43.-48. RESERVED.
25 (thru 30)
CHAPTER 4. AIR RACE COURSE DESIGN
49. SPONSOR RESPONSIBILITIES. The sponsor has the responsibility to lay out the course in such a manner so as to prevent hazards to spectators and other persons on the surface.
50. PERSONNEL. Only persons and vehicles authorized by the race organization at the event should be permitted beyond the crowd line during racing operations.
Authorized persons include press, crews, and officials at the start line.
b. Authorized persons should clear the runway and move back to at least the runway "hold short" line 1 minute before launch for standing starts. No one should be permitted in front of the front row of aircraft after this time except the starter flag team.
Pylon crews (except the home pylon flag crews), press, and vehicles should remain inside the pylon course during races. Race timing teams are permitted in the area between the crowd line and the showline during racing.
51. TYPICAL RACE COURSES. A diagram of a typical air race site is shown in Appendix 1, Figure 18. A map of a typical unlimited race course (Reno, NV) is shown in Appendix 1, Figure 19. Four examples of suitable air race site diagrams are shown in Appendix 1, Figure -
20. The method of determining the various distances used are discussed in the following paragraphs.
52. RACE COURSE DESIGN. Closed-course pylon air racing is conducted over a fixed, shortdistance race course, usually located on or adjacent to an airport. The design of a satisfactory pylon air race course involves the shape of the course itself and the relationship of that course to the spectator areas. Both of these depend upon the maximum speed that may be expected from the racing aircraft and the maxium "g" loading (acceleration forces) that the race aircraft are expected to encounter when flying the race course in a normal manner. Additionally, the maximum height at which race aircraft are expected to fly during the race becomes a factor.
53. RACE COURSE SPEEDS. The following speeds are typical speeds for each racing class.
a. Formula Vee: 160 miles per hour.
b. Sport Biplane: 210 miles per hour.
c. AT-6/SNJ: 225 miles per hour.
d. International Formula One: 250 miles per hour.
e. Unlimited: 450 miles per hour.
f. When additional classes become active, they should be added to this list with appropriate speeds specified.
The maximum "g" loading for a race aircraft flying the course in a normal manner has been set at 3.5 "g's." Note that in actual racing, maneuvering turbulence encountered, momentary "g loadings in excess of this figure can be expected.
The speed and "g" loadings permit the calculation of the minimum radius turn that should be permitted in the design of the race The formula for the tur radius for a given "g" loading and speed is: (Using a value of 3.5 for "g," the minimum turn radius is shown for each racing class in Appendix 1, Figure 21.)
R =
32.2 x R Minimum turn radius Aircraft ›peed (ft/sec) Chap 4 Par 49 31
G = Max acceleration (ft/sec?)
32.2 = Acceleration of gravity (ft/sec?)
i. The angle of the turn (the change in course required to negotiate the turn) should be planned so that it will avoid forcing a race aircraft to make the tum too sharply. A maximum tum angle that does not exceed 65° has been found to be satisfactory.
(1) A maximum racing altitude of 250 feet is acceptable for aircraft weighing in excess of 1,000 pounds (presently, the AT-6/SNJ and the unlimited class), and a maximum racing altitude of 150 feet is acceptable for aircraft weighing 1,000 pounds or less (presently the Intemational Formula 1, Sport Biplane and Formula Vee Classes). The length of the scatter distance for each racing class is shown in Appendix 1,
54. RACE COURSE SHOWLINE. During the race, aircraft occupy a raceway around the race course. The edge of this raceway closest to the 2 x A spectator area is generally the showline over S = V _ X which no aircraft is permitted to pass while 32.2 Scatter distance The raceway width may vary from V = Aircraft speed (ft/sec) 150 feet to 500 feet in the various racing classes A = Aircraft altitude (AGL) to allow aircraft to pass one another. The critical 32.2 Acceleration of gravity (ft/sec?)
requirement is that no racing aircraft is permitted to pass over the showline during the race. (2) The locus of all possible debris impact points from an aircraft in a turn describes a The minimum turn radius, the maxi- circle whose radius is the square root of the sums mum turn angle, and the raceway width define of the squares of the turn radius and the scatter the limits of a satisfactory race course. The race distance. This radius is called the "scatter radius" course relationship to the spectator areas (or other (Appendix 1, Figure 21).
populated area should also be defined. Racing classes with a maximum speed of 250 miles per Sr (R' + S) hour or less require a spacing of 500 feet between the spectators and the showline. The un- Sr = Scatter radius (feet) limited racing class (or other new classes with R = Turn radius (feet) speeds in excess of 250 miles per hour) requires Scatter distance (feet) a spacing of 1,000 feet between the spectator and the showline. (3) In order to provide an acceptable margin of safety, the differences between the tur
c. An additional safety area is required to radius and the scatter radius are multiplied by a ensure that spectators are protected in the event safety factor of 1.5 and added to the turn radius that debris leaves a race aircraft. Should this to define the "safety radius" (Appendix 1, occur while the aircraft is in a turn, the debris Figure 21).
will follow a path tangential to the turn at the moment it departs the aircraft. The straight line Sfr = R + 1.5 x (Sr - R) distance that the debris will fall before hitting the ground (ignoring air resistance) will depend upon Str = Safety radius (feet) aircraft speed and arcraft altitude. This distance Sr = Scatter radius (feet) is called the "scatter distance." R = Turn radius (feet) Chap 5 32 Par 53
2/1/90
(4) The turn that is critical with respect to the safety radius is the turn that enters the portion of the race closest to the spectators.
The safety area is constructed as follows:
(i) Divide the angle for the turn in question in half.
(ii) Mark off the minimum turn radius for the class of aircraft racing as shown in Appendix 1, Figure 21, from the pylon position to a point on the angle bisector.
(111) Draw an arc whose radius is the safety radius from the point located in paragraph 54b. No spectator areas should be within this arc.
(5) In some cases, it may be expedient to design the race course around the spectator Chap 4 Par 54 AC 91-45C While spectator-to-showline distances are unchanged, the safety zone is now outside the spectator area and is no longer a factor. Roads to this kind of a race course layout must be completely closed off to the spectator area during the
(6) Race courses are normally flown in counter-clockwise direction (left Problem sites may require flying the course in a clockwise direction (right tums). Other modifications of the race course, such as changing the angular relationships of the spectator line (to move the crowd away from a tur pylon) or lengthening the race course (to move the turn pylon away from the crowd) may also be necessary.
55.-58. RESERVED.
33 (thru 38)
CHAPTER S. BALLOON MEETS AND BALLOON COMPETITIONS
59. PUBLIC SAFETY. Just as with other aviation events, the FAA has the responsibility to ensure public safety during the balloon meets or competitions.
60. BALLOON OPERATIONS. Manned free balloon flight competitions could result in operations at horizontal and vertical distances less than those required by FAR §$ 91.79(b) and (c).
The ground track of balloons is accomplished solely by varying altitude to take advantage of different wind directions and velocities.
The greatest diversity in the wind directions normally occurs in the first 2,000 to 3,000 feet above the surface.
b. Balloon pilots use these changes in wind direction and velocity to demonstrate their navigational skills during competitions by maneuvering the balloon to a predetermined point on the ground. These operations can occur at minimum altitudes less than those prescribed in FAR §§ 91.79(b) and (c) when appropriate limitations are developed to protect the public and the participants.
61. DESCRIPTION AND TERMINOLOGY.
Appendix 1, Figure 22, is a typical hot air balloon. Appendix 1, Figure 23, is terminology generally associated with balloons.
62. BALLOON MEETS. Balloon meets and races are held throughout the country. As ballooning grows, competitive tasks have been refined and standardized. Currently, the FAA's concer is to ensure applicable requirements are met and safety regulations are complied with so that neither members of the public nor ballooning participants are endangered.
a. Target areas must be under the control of the event officials. These officials must have adequate manpower to maintain crowd control.
Portable "bull horns" or public address systems are an adequate means for controlling crowd movements or for directing balloonists away from the target area in an emergency.
b. Balloon landings are not normally permitted closer than 1,500 feet from the target or goal, although in certain instances, event officials may announce a reduction of this distance to 500 feet for safety considerations. Only members of official recovery crews may be present at the landing site.
For events sanctioned by the various ballooning organizations, organizers submit a set of competition rules when they apply for a waiver. This is not a regulatory requirement but should be encouraged for the sake of conformity and safety improvement.
63. TYPES OF COMPETITIVE TASKS.
Since wind is the only force that moves a balloon laterally over the ground, competitive tasks are basically exercises in navigation according to wind direction. The winner of a particular task is the balloonist who can best take advantage of changes in wind direction, by ascending and descending, to accomplish the task. Sponsors of ballooning events are encouraged to use "launch directors" for competitive tasks to control staggered launch times and provide additional safety for multiple launches. The Balloon Federation of America (BFA) has provided information on some typical balloon competition tasks which may be conducted at balloon meets. A typical event would task the balloonist to ascend and move from one location to another and drop one or more markers as close to a goa, target, or objective as possible. The BFA has a recommended procedure which establishes minimum distances between target drop marker areas and balloon descent and landing areas. That distance is usually at least 1,500 feet. An immediate landing after an event is at yhe pilot's discretion.
Chap 5 Par 59 39
AC 91-45C Pilot Declared Goal (PDG).
event, balloonists must define their goals or targets by description and by map reference. The goals are declared in writing and given to a timekeeper. Each pilot flies from the designated launch area and attempts to drop a marker as close as possible to the declared goal. The resultant distance from the declared goal to the marker is then measured. The shortest distance wins. Descent and landing after dropping the marker should be at least 1,500 feet from the
b. Judge Declared Goal (JDG). Each pilot ascends from the designated launch area and attempts to drop a marker as close as possible to a goal set by the officials. The resultant distance from the JDG to the marker is then measured.
Again, the shortest distance wins. Descent and landing after dropping the marker should be at least 1,500 feet away from the goal.
Multiple Judge Declared Goal (MJDG).
Each pilot flies from the launch area and chooses one of a number of goals set by the officials.
The pilot attempts to drop a marker near the goal chosen. The resultant distance from the marker to the goal is measured and the shortest distance Descent and landing after dropping the marker should be at least 1,500 feet away from Elbow (ELBO). In this event, the balloon launch area is situated at the center of two concentric circles. Each balloonist ascends from the launch area and travels in any desired direc- After traveling to a pilot selected point somewhere between the inner and outer circle, a marker is dropped. The takeoff axis is hereby established as the direction from the takeoff point to the point at which the first marker is dropped.
Hereafter, each balloonist attempts to achieve a 180° change in direction from the takeoff axis.
The greatest change of flight direction with the smallest angle of divergence is best.
traveling at least 5,000 feet from the first marker (but still within the outer circle), a second marker 40 2/1/90 is dropped. The angle of divergence is then measured in degrees, relative to the takeoff axis.
Hare and Hound (HNH).
balloon, "the hare," takes off several minutes before the rest of the balloons and drops a marker at a designated point. The hare balloon deflates and is removed from the landing area.
marker dropped by the hare balloon becomes the target for the later launched balloons, "the hounds. The hounds try to drop markers as close as possible to the target placed on the ground by the hare balloon. After dropping the marker from each hound balloon, landing is at the pilot's discretion but should be more than 1,500 feet from the target.
Convergent Navigational Task (CNT).
Officials establish a goal, but balloonists find their own launch areas for the attempt to reach the goal. The boundary of the launch area declared by the pilot is the physical boundary of a field or a circle with a 300-foot radius from the inflation point, whichever is less. The offcials place a target at the goal 30 minutes before the launch period begins. Each pilot launches and attempts to navigate to the target, and drops a marker. The result is the distance from the target to the marker. The shortest distance wins. After dropping the marker from each hound balloon, descent and landing is at the pilot's discretion but should be more than 1,500 feet from the target.
Fly On Task (FOT). The pilot declares a goal to fly to after dropping a marker in another task.
Gordon Bennett Memorial (GBM). The competitors maneuver their balloons a prescribed distance from a target on the ground (scoring area. Through use of the winds, they attempt to maneuver back to the scoring area and drop markers on the target. Standard BFA landing procedures should be observed.
Watership Down. This is a two-part task. Pilots find their own launch sites and fly Chap 5 Par 63
2/1/90 to a target established by the officials.
specified time before the launch, a hare balloon takes off adjacent to the target established by the officials, then flies on and drops a marker at a designated point. This marker becomes the second target. The hare balloon deflates, and the envelope remains flattened on the ground to serve as a guide to the second target area.
competing pilot drops a marker as close as possible to the first target (the launch site of the hare balloon). Pilots then fly on to drop a second marker as close as possible to the target marker placed by the hare balloon.
j. Key Grab. One of the most popular events for both the participants and the spectators is the key grab. This event usually has a target (generally a tall pole with the keys to a new automobile affixed to the top) in a centralized The balloonist must depart from a predetermined distance from the target.
object of the event is to maneuver the balloons (one-by-one) over the target by altitude changes so the pilot can attempt to grab the keys as the balloon goes by the pole. The area around the pole must be completely clear of spectators and under the control of the event officials.
64. BALLOON COMPETITION EVENT WAIVERS. To be eligible for a waiver FAR §§ 91.79(b) and (c), the applicant must prepare and keep current an operations manual that has been approved by the FAA FSDO having jurisdiction over the proposed balloon competition.
The contents of the manual are the basis for the issuance of the waiver. The applicant and the participants must comply with the manual contents and requirements.
2. A waiver of FAR §§ 91.79(b) and (c) for organized free balloon competitions can be issued based on submission of a proper application which contains the proposed operations and contents of the Organized Manned Free Balloon Competition Manual.
Chap 5 Par 63 AC 91-45C
b. FAR § 91.79 shall be waived only to the extent necessary to accommodate the event, and then only if the waiver allows an acceptable level of safety. Evaluation of the site determines the actual separation distances to be used for a specific event; however, the following minimum and special provisions observed:
(1) FAR § 91.79(b) may be waived to allow flight over a congested area of a city, town, or settlement at an altitude of no less than 500 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 500 feet of the balloon. This section of the regulation may only be waived within a specified maximum distance from the designated launch sites and/or target areas. This designated area must be determined by the sponsor and FAA, and must be clearly delineated in the sponsor's manual before the event. (A scaled map, drawing, and/or aerial photographs should be in the sponsor's manual before the event.)
The designated area should be the minimum area necessary to accommodate the specific events planned and should be consistent with the ability of the sponsor to control operations. In addition, if the target area is so small that a normal de scent (200 to 300 feet per minute) cannot be made to the target, then a waiver of FAR § 91.79(b) should not be issued.
(2) FAR § 91.79(b) may also be waived to allow flight over, but no less than 75 feet from, any open-air assembly of persons (desig nated spectator area) under the direct control of the sponsor who has been issued the waiver. The balloon must have attained a state of altitude equilibrium at this 75-foot minimum altitude and not be descending while crossing over the designated spectator area.
(3) FAR § 91.79(c) may be waived to allow flight over open water or sparsely populated areas no closer than 200 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.