Powerline Accident
A hot air balloon participating in a balloon event in the Tigard, Oregon, near Portland, hit a powerline injuring all four on board. Pilot Jonathan Ash was reported to be making an approach to land when the balloon contacted the static line above a large transmission line. The basket came in contact with the high voltage line below before settling to the ground.
Ash, 47, was critically burn over 46 percent of his body. Passenger John Rasmussen received severe burns on his hands. Both Ash and Rasmussen were hospitalized. Two other passengers received minor injuries, were treated and released. Rasmussen was released several days later from the hospital and will be undergoing skin grafts this summer.
The accident happened about a block from a fire station and in a truck stop parking lot. This allowed for quick assistance to arrive. The accident also took place near a hospital.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident and will make the determination of probable cause.
National Balloon Museum
The National Balloon Museum will be ten years old in August. Ground was broken for the Museum on August 2, 1986, with Don Kersten, Sid Cutter, Leo Eisenberg, Charles Laverty, Pete Stamats, and others all wielding shovels.
In 1995 the museum paid off the mortgage.
This year the museum has kicked off a new fund-raising campaign to enlarge and build a much needed exhibition gallery. The goal for phase II is $175,000.
The museum has received several interesting offers of assistance.
The museum is currently discussing with Don Piccard the acquisition of his personal and family collections—many of which have never been on exhibit before. The present concept includes earmarking matching fund donations to construct a new wing with space for these additions to the collection. Donors, in effect, become partners with Piccard in securing that new wing.
Several balloon clubs have sent money, challenging other clubs to match their pledges. Board members, balloonists and volunteers involved in the initial efforts over ten years ago are invited to join the museum July 28 during the ’96 Classic (Indianola, Iowa) for a birthday celebration.
For more information on the museum’s tenth anniversary and the phase II fund raising contact the National Balloon Museum, P.O. Box 149, Indianola, IA 50125 or call (515) 961-3714.
Advisory Circulars
According to Lynn Harris, Balloon Federation of America Government Relations Chair, the Federal Aviation Administration is about to release Advisory Circular 91-17, “Operation of Hot Air Balloons with Airborne Heaters.”
According to Harris, the purpose of this AC is to provide guidance for the safe operation of hot air balloons with airborne heaters in compliance with appropriate portions of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 91, General Operating and Flight Procedures.
The 13 page AC covers eleven subjects: Purpose, Definitions, Background, Selection of Launch Site, Takeoff, Departure and Climb, Cruise Flight (Air Space and VFR Flight Rules), Minimum Altitudes, Approach and Landings, Wind Components, Exceptions, and Advisory Material.
The AC is reported to contain numerous excerpts from, and references to, compliance with FAR Part 91.
The FAA has updated Advisory Circular 61-91H, Pilot Proficiency Award Program. The “Wings” program is now a 20-phase program. Upon completion of each of the first ten phases, pilots become eligible to wear and are presented with a distinctive lapel or tie pin (wings) and a certificate of completion. A certificate only will be awarded for phases 11 through 20.
The Wings program provides pilots of any aircraft with an incentive to receive additional training. In addition to the wings and certificates pilots who successfully complete any phase of the wings program are not required to accomplish the flight review requirements of 14 CFR part 61 § 61.56 (biennial flight review).
Advisory Circular 20-139 has been issued explaining the current Federal Aviation Regulations and FAA policy for the fabrication and assembly of amateur-built aircraft. It provides information and guidance to persons involved in the construction of amateur-built aircraft, the manufacture of kits designed to be assembled into aircraft by amateur-builders, builders of aircraft fabricated from plans for certification as amateur- built, and persons providing assistance to amateur-builders.
Advisory Circular 20-62D provides information and guidance for use in determining the quality, eligibility and traceability of aeronautical parts and materials intended for installation on U.S. type-certificated products and to enable compliance with the applicable regulations.
Advisory Circulars are not mandatory and issued to provide additional guidance. For more information contact your local Flight Standards District Office of the FAA.
Eidsness AA-4 Record
The Federation Aeronautique Internationale has homologated Carl Eidsness’ gas balloon distance record (Balloon Life, Preflight December, 1995). Eidsness flew his anhydrous ammonia balloon from Reserve, Montana to Tablerville, Oklahoma, a distance of 1,809.36 kilometers (2,909 miles) October 20, 1995. The FAI has awarded Eidsness the world record for AA-4 and AA-5 Class balloons. The previous record was set in April, 1939 by a Russian balloonist.