# N20498: 2011 Head Balloons AX8-88B

- Status: Valid registration
- Airframe: [Head Balloons AX8-88B](https://openairdocs.org/model/head-balloons-ax8-88b) (registry code 4280202, 4 seats)
- Engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000)
- Data sheets: [TCDS A29SO](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A29SO) (Head Balloons Inc.) (OpenAirDocs)
- Serial number: 410
- Year built: 2011
- Type: Balloon
- Engine type: None
- Airworthiness: Standard, balloon
- Airworthiness date: June 15, 2011
- Certificate issued: August 29, 2011
- Expires: August 31, 2027
- Mode S code: A1A493
- Registered owner: [Ad Astra Per Aspera LLC](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/AD%20ASTRA%20PER%20ASPERA%20LLC)
- Location: [Fort Dodge, IA](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/IA/Fort%20Dodge)
- Owner type: LLC
- Owner's area on the map: 42.4916° N, 94.1871° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at the center of ZIP code 50501, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs). The owner's mailing address, not where the aircraft is based
- FAA registry: https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=20498
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20498

From the FAA registry file of October 24, 2026. ADs below are matched by the registry's airframe and engine model codes. They may apply; each AD's applicability can narrow it by serial number, part number or installed equipment. This is not a compliance determination.

## ADs that may apply (OpenAirDocs): 1 in force

### Matched by airframe (Head Balloons AX8-88B)

- [AD 2013-03-10](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2013-03-10): Hardware · Aeronaut Instruction Research Skysailor 105, Skysailor 90, 110C and 439 more. Effective Mar 19, 2013

### Matched by engine (NONE)

None in force.

## Information bulletins (advisory) (1 in force)

- [SAIB CE-11-44](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-11-44): Fuel: Cylinder Strap Installation. Issued Jul 13, 2011

## NTSB investigations

None matched to N20498.

## FAA accident and incident reports

None matched to N20498.

## Reports on N20498 not matched to an aircraft (1)

They name N20498, but no registry record covers the date, the aircraft registered then was built later, or the report describes another aircraft.

- [Incident 19791114056099I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19791114056099I), Nov 14, 1979: Cessna 172 (N20498), New Cumberland, PA, Minor damage. Aircraft landed hard on nose wheel, blew the tire, collapsed strut, damaged prop and nose wheel housing.

## Service difficulty reports

None filed for this aircraft. Matched to this aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model.

## STCs that may be installed (OpenAirDocs) (10)

Approved for this aircraft's airframe or engine model, in force first, then newest. The registry doesn't record which STCs an aircraft has; its records do.

### Approved for the airframe (Head Balloons AX8-88B)

- [STC SB10564SC](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB10564SC): Installation of Night Position Lights. Highland Balloon Repair, CRS NHMD682X
- [STC SB09657RC](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB09657RC): Installation of Aircraft Position Lights. Albuquerque Balloon Center, Inc
- [STC SB04407AT](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB04407AT): Installation of the DBI-III Omega. Balloonacy, Ltd. LLC
- [STC SB00463AT](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB00463AT): Installation of Cameran basket and burner systems. Head Balloons Inc
- [STC SL2263SO](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SL2263SO): Installation of Aerostar (Raven) Models CW, W, and RW basket and burner systems. Head Balloons Inc
- [STC SB02317AT](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB02317AT): Installation of Sky Balloons (TC B01CE) baskets (sizes: 1.29m X 1.07M, 1.55M X 1.19M, and 1.80M X 1.29M) and burners (BR1 double burner and BR2 Mistral Double Burner) under Head Balloons' Model AX7-77, AX7-77b, AX8-88, AX8-88b, AX8-105 and AX9-118 envelopes. Head Balloons Inc
- [STC SL2407SO](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SL2407SO): Attachment of Head Balloons hot air balloon envelopes with Adams Balloon Loft Model A50/A50S basket, burner, instruments, and fuel system components. Head Balloons Inc
- [STC SB01867AT](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB01867AT): Attachment of Head Balloons hot air balloon envelopes with Lindstrand Balloon basket, burner, instruments, and fuel system components. Head Balloons Inc
- [STC SB01048AT](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB01048AT): Installation of Thunder and Colt40X40, 40X48, 40X54, and 40X60 basket assemblies. Head Balloons Inc
- [STC SB534CH](https://openairdocs.org/stc/SB534CH): Installation of basket/burner system and fuel tanks. (AX8-88B S/N 161). Ludwig Ruth

## Earlier aircraft with N20498

The FAA can reassign an N-number once a registration is cancelled. These aircraft carried N20498 before.

- [Cancelled 2006-09-25](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20498-2006-09-25): Cameron Balloons US A-105, S/N 5406, built 1988. Triennial form not returned. Owner: [Balloon Air Inc](https://openairdocs.org/faa-owner/BALLOON%20AIR%20INC), [Villanova, PA](https://openairdocs.org/faa-place/PA/Villanova)

## Related

- Other Head Balloons AX8-88B aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/model/head-balloons-ax8-88b/aircraft.md
- The NONE engine: https://openairdocs.org/engine/none.md

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