Section 5. Moored
Balloons, Kites,
Unmanned Rockets,
and Unmanned Free
Balloons/Objects
18-5-1. MOORED
BALLOONS, KITES,
UNMANNED ROCKETS,
AND UNMANNED FREE
BALLOONS/OBJECTS
Apply the
following
guidelines to
moored balloon,
kite, unmanned
rocket, or
unmanned free
balloon flights
conducted in
accordance with
Part 101 of 14 CFR:
a. Facilities
receiving moored
balloon, kite,
unmanned rocket,
or unmanned free
balloon
information must
ensure that
appropriate
notices include
the information
required by 14 CFR
Sections 101.15,
101.37, and
101.39.
b. Notice
information must
be forwarded to
affected air
traffic
facility/s. Also,
air traffic
facilities must
forward notices
received to the
appropriate FSS
for dissemination
as a NOTAM.
c. Handle
unmanned free
balloon operations
below 2,000 feet
above the surface
in Class B, Class
C, Class D or
Class E airspace
areas requiring
ATC authorization
as follows:
1. Authorize
the request if the
operation is not
expected to impact
the normally
expected movement
of traffic.
2. Coordinate
with other
affected
facilities before
authorizing the
flight.
d. Request
the operator of
unmanned free
balloon flights to
forward position
reports at any
time they are
needed to assist
in flight
following.
NOTE-
Operators are
required only to
notify the nearest
FAA ATC facility
if a balloon
position report is
not recorded for
2 hours. Other
position reports
are forwarded only
as requested by
ATC.
18-5-2. DERELICT
BALLOONS/OBJECTS
Take the following
actions when a
moored
balloon/object is
reported to have
escaped from its
moorings and may
pose a hazard to
air navigation,
the operator of an
unmanned free
balloon advises
that a position
report has not
been recorded for
a 2-hour period,
or the
balloon's/object's
flight cannot be
terminated as
planned:
a. Determine
from the operator
the last known and
the present
estimated position
of the
balloon/object as
well as the time
duration that the
balloon/object is
estimated to stay
aloft. Also obtain
other information
from the operator
such as the
operator's access
to a chase plane,
hazardous material
onboard,
balloon/object
coloring, special
lighting, etc.
b. Attempt
to locate and
flight follow the
derelict
balloon/object.
c. Determine
if the
balloon's/object's
flight can be
terminated by the
operator. If the
balloon's/object's
flight can be
terminated, inform
the operator of
any known air
traffic that might
be a factor.
d. If the
balloon's/object's
flight cannot be
terminated:
1. Advise
the operator that
the balloon/object
is declared to be
a derelict and as
such is a
potential hazard
to air navigation.
2. Notify
the ATCSCC, the
regional
Operations Center,
and all affected
facilities of the
derelict. The
ATCSCC will serve
as the focal point
for the collection
and dissemination
of further
information.
3. Provide
the ATCSCC with
revised position
or altitude
information.
4. If
required,
assistance in
locating and
tracking the
balloon may be
requested from the
National Military
Command Center (NMCC),
NORAD, or other
agencies with
surveillance
capabilities
through the ATCSCC.
If appropriate,
the ATCSCC will
advise the NMCC
that the derelict
balloon is a
current or
potential hazard
to air traffic. If
the balloon cannot
be located or
flight followed,
it poses at least
a potential
hazard.
NOTE-
The final decision
to destroy the
derelict balloon
is the
responsibility of
the appropriate
NORAD Commander.
e. Record
and handle the
derelict balloon
as a Miscellaneous
Incident.
REFERENCE-
FAAO JO 7110.65,
Para 9-6-2,
Derelict Balloons.
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