Aerostar International

Aerostar International has introduced the new Aerostar Launch Harness. As the name implicates, the new launch harness is different in its design, usage and safety features than other launch harnesses and quick releases. The new Aerostar Launch Harness is an adaptation from the large ride basket market. The harness utilizes a Kevlar lined webbing, a climbers loop commonly referred to as an "rescue 8 with ears" two carabiners, two webbing loops, one launch line and one anchor line.

The Kevlar webbing is key to the safety of this system. Most launch restraints are made of nylon or polyester. Both will stretch as much as 40% before they fail. This stretching absorbs or stores energy which is released upon failure or actuation of a quick release. This can result in portions snapping back and possibly striking someone. Kevlar elongates 2% before failure. Virtually no energy can be stored. Additional, the rescue 8 allows for a smooth steady release rather than an instantaneous launch.

The two webbing loops are attachable to the envelope/basket load fittings on virtually any basket. One carabiner is attached to one webbing loop and the 8 is attached to the carabiner. The other carabiner is attached to the opposite envelope/basket fitting webbing loop and the launch line.

The 20 foot launch line is passed from the envelope/basket/webbing configuration through a large ring attached to the anchor line which is secured to a vehicle. The launch line is then taken back to the basket and is looped around the 8 with ears. The excess launch line can be tied in a half-hitch to prevent slippage during the inflation. As long as there is pressure on the 8, the launch harness will not slip.

The completed configuration now forms a long "V" back to the anchor line. The webbing loops and the "V" work together to eliminate torquing and twisting on uprights and support poles.

To launch, the pilot simply grasps the short end of the launch line in one hand and begins to allow the balloon to lift off the ground. If the pilot wants to abort the launch, they simply apply pressure to the short line and the 8 prevents further forward movement. To restart the launch, the pressure is eased and the balloon is allowed to ascend. The launch line then passes back through the 8 and the anchor line ring and is pulled into the basket by the pilot or passenger. The 20 foot launch line can be used as a short drop line during landings or for walking the balloon or can be stored onboard in the carrying bag provided.

The Kevlar lined webbing is bright yellow so it is easy for people in and around the balloon system to identify. The breaking strength of the Kevlar webbing is 6,000 pounds. The breaking strength of the webbing loops is 6,000 pounds. The breaking strength of the carabiner is 2,000 pounds.

The new Aerostar Launch Harness is available from any Aerostar dealer or distributor. Retail cost for the launch harness is $225. The Aerostar Launch Harness works with virtually any brand.

Aerostar also announced the delivery of a balloon with 64 foot horns for the Country Music duo of Brooks and Dunn. The balloon will be used for pre-concert promotions, tethers and guest rides throughout the upcoming concert season for Brooks and Dunn.

For more information contact: Allen Schlenker, Aerostar International, P.O. Box 5057, Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5057. Phone: 605-331-3500 Fax: 605-331-3520 e-mail: sales@aerostar.com web site: www.aerostar.com

Lindstrand Balloons

Lindstrand Balloons Ltd, Oswestry, England, announced that they have won an order to supply the CargoLifter consortium with their first envelope. This is a proof of concept airship for validation of the CargoLifter concept, which is an ambitious project that is intended to provide the world's first outsize cargo aircraft both in terms of size and weight of payload.

The production version of the CargoLifter airship is 242 meters long (794 feet) with a volume of 450,000 cubic meters (15,889,500 cubic feet). It can carry a payload of 160 tons over a distance of up to 10,000 kilometers (6210 miles) at an altitude of 2,000 meters (6560 feet).

Lindstrand Balloons has also supplied the composite gondola for the proof of concept airship which has the working name of Joey. Joey is expected to fly during the summer of 1998.

For more information contact Lindstrand Balloons Ltd, Maesbury Rd, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 8ZZ, England. Phone +011-44-1691-671717.

Head Balloons

Head Balloons, Inc. of Helen, Georgia achieved United Kingdom Certification of Airworthiness on October 28, 1997. Peter George, Head Balloons exclusive dealer in the UK, commented that, "It is Head's flexible approach to business which has enabled us to gain UK certification so quickly. These US constructed balloons are already pretty close in specification to that which UK customers are used to from domestic manufacturers. Tarp Head and I acted immediately upon minimal changes recommended by the BBAC (British Balloon and Airship Club) and within a matter of months from application we had a certificate." For information in the UK contact: Peter George, PO Box 274, High Wycombe HP13 6FS. Tel: 0860 484787. e-mail: peter.george@earthling.net

As well as achieving UK certification, Head Balloons has also recently gained certification in Argentina and set up a representative in Argentina, Herrmann Carlos. He may be contacted at: Laprida 1065, 1714 Ituzaingo, Buenos Aires. Tel: (54-1) 632-4349

1997 was a busy year for certification at Head Balloons. In addition to gaining certification in the UK and Argentina, Head Balloons became certified in Solvenia and Peru. A complete listing of Head Balloons' International Representatives may be found on its web page: http://members.xoom.com/headballoons/. For more information contact Head Balloons, PO Box 28 Helen, GA 30545. Phone: 706-865-3874 voice & fax or 800-HEAD BALLOONS email: headballoons@juno.com.

Eagle Balloons

Like the Phoenix that rose from the ashes Eagle Balloons, now under new ownership with renewed enthusiasm of Joe and Mary Kay Melanouris, is back in production. The new owners are actively updating existing Eagle models. A completely redesigned state of the art burner is among the new happenings at Eagle.

Joe told Balloon Life, "Current plans are to begin deliveries of the C-7, the `New Challenger' and the C-108 by Spring of 1998." He added, "Eagle still has the same exceptionally responsive and durable envelope that it was known for, with flat sides for commercial logos, fuel efficient and cool flying. The same characteristics that made Eagle envelopes some of the longest lasting in the industry are what you can expect to find under the new owners. Quality is number one."

For more information contact Eagle Balloons, Corporation, 4561 Prime Parkway, McHenry, IL 60050. Phone 815-344-5520, Fax 815-344-1747 or e-mail at eagle@eagleballoons.com.

Aeronautical Charts

Beginning with the March 26, 1998 publication date, there will be numerous changes to the Visual Aeronautical Charts, including Sectionals, Terminal Area Charts (TACs), VFR Flyway Planning Charts, World Aeronautical Charts (WACs) and Helicopter Route Charts

Changes to the aeronautical charts will include the following:

* The water tints will be changed to distinguish between open water and inland water

* The roads will be changed from magenta to black

* There will be new symbols indicating areas of hang glider, ultralight and glider operations activities.

* The Parachute Jumping Area symbol will be changed to magenta (brown on Helicopter Route Charts).

* Boxed notes indicating Approach Control frequencies for Class B and Class C airspace will be changed. The wording will be more concise and they will have a white background to make them more visible.

* The Mode C symbol and type will change to magenta (brown on Helicopter Route Charts).

* There will be a new IFR arrival/departure route symbol on TACs and VFR Flyway Planning Charts.

* The border shown on Sectional Charts to indicate coverage by TAC and/or Inset will be changed. It will be shown by the absence of color (white) with blue identifying type. The corresponding note will also change.

Thanks to Jim Desch for forwarding this information.

New Gas Balloon Record

The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale has ratified as a feminine world altitude record Astrid Gerhardt's flight in a gas balloon to 4692 meters (15,390 feet). The flight took place on October 13, 1997 in Stuttgart, Germany. Astrid piloted a Wörner gas balloon while setting her record for both the AA-4 and AA-5 categories. A previous record did not exist.

Junior Balloonists

Around the World - Uniting the World Balloon Federation of America Junior Balloonist Poster Contest 1998.

The National Balloon Museum, Indianola, Iowa would like to announce a new contest for the BFA Jr. Balloonist Program. Today's Jr. Balloonists are tomorrow's history makers for the museum, the ballooning community, and the entire world. The museum will provide for the Jr. Balloonist what it does for the rest of the ballooning community, an opportunity to view, experience and learn from the past. Which will make them better balloonists of tomorrow. The difference between the Jr. Balloonists and other balloonists is that Jr. Balloonists because of their age can only experience some of the earlier ballooning flights/experiences at the museum. At the National Balloon Museum they can learn about smoke balloons, the first nationals, fellow balloonists who have passed away, the Semco balloon and among other things the progression of balloon fabric, burners and baskets. The National Balloon Museum's responsibility is to promote, teach and provide an accurate knowledge of ballooning by collecting and preserving artifacts, documents and images representative to its history and we are enthused about being a part of this program and helping the youth of today learn more about ballooning.

This contest is also being sponsored by World Balloon, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Dreams Come True, Strasburg, Ohio, and Outer Marker Pilot Shop, St. Louis, Missouri.

Now to the contest: The Balloon Museum announces the "Around The World - Uniting The World" Poster designing contest. There will be winners in two age categories 7-10 and 11-17. The winning posters will be reproduced and displayed at the Balloon Museum in Indianola, Iowa, the winning Jr. Balloonists will also receive a reproduced copy and the winning posters will be presented to the pilots who went the furthest in their around the world flight. Just think about the feeling the JB will get when "their" poster gets presented to the pilots who went the furthest in their flight around the world... And each Jr. Balloonist that enters will also get a certificate from the Balloon Museum.

Requirements: 1. Must be a BFA Jr. Balloonist between the ages of 7-17. 2. Entries must be created on paper no larger than 11 x 17 inches, leaving approximately 1/2 white margin around the picture. 3. Can use acrylic paints, watercolor paints, oil painting, indelible marker pens, felt tip pens, or pencils(no crayons please). 4. Entries must be postmarked by June 15, 1998. 5. Send all entries to Tina Reeves, 10472 Ashby Place Lane, St. Ann, MO 63074. Internet http://www.stlmo.com/skyangel 6. Entries become the property of the BFA.