monththiswilltalkabouttherulesputuponusbythe
FederalAviationAdministrationfolks.Inayear’stime,only
twelve rules can be discussed in this column. As balloonists, there
are not a lot we have to have on the tip of our memories, but there
are many we must live by and which are subject to change. Often
it is minimal, sometimes major. In either event is behooves every
pilot tobe aware of the changes.
The best way to do that is to have an up-to-date version of the
FederalAirRegulationswhichcanbepurchasedinvarious
manners. They are on the Internet but harder to read in your easy
chair or highlight.
Every year a new copy of the combined Aeronautical Infor-
mation Manual and Federal Air Regulations from McGraw-Hill
Publishingis available. This reference bookhas the most recent
rules and changes as ofprint time, is available at most book stores
and updatable monthly at the publisher’swebsite.
The AIM side of the book contains information pertinent to
allpilots—includingballoonpilots.Thereisinformationon
weather,flyinginvarioustypesof airspace,safetyand general
knowledge thatwillhelppilots be better aviators.Whatshould
your crew do if you fly into an area—mountains or wide open, no
road, fenced in spaces or a swamp—and radio contact is lost (cell
phone too)?Whatshouldtheydofirst?Whocantheycallfor
help?ItisintheAIM.WhatifyouneedaK-9explosives
detection team—well, OK, perhaps that is a little bit overboard,
but the answer anda lot more reallygoodinformationisin the
AIM.
One of the fine points about the McGraw-Hill AIM/FAR is
that they highlight any changes that have occurredsince the last
printing.Itmakesupgradingone’spersonalknowledgequite
easy.
The AIM/FAR sections are edge marked so from the index
it is easy to get into the section you want to read. One of the many
interestingonesis theAviation WebSiteslisting. Eachyear it
grows larger. Want to know about the Thunderbirds? Go to their
website.Howaboutshopping,travelandmore?Checkout
“Smilinjack.com.”TheNAA, NTSB and Ninety-Nines are listed
as well as the FAA, DOT andCAP.
Whether you are a student, commercial, instructor or ATR
pilot, this reliable and affordable reference adds up to an incred-
ible value. Loadsof useful information for not loads of money.
itout.
Happy, safe andknowledgeable flying.
Editor’s note: Mr. Blucher is a commercial balloonist, event
announcer, and active member of the Ballooning Society of Pikes
Peak. He lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado. If you have areas
that you would like to see discussed or have comments regarding
this article contact Stephen Blucher at sblucher@juno.com.
