9-7-1 Application
|
Apply the following procedures, as appropriate, when unmanned free balloons are within airspace for which you have control jurisdiction:
NOTE -
These procedures apply to unmanned free balloons that carry payloads
as described in CFR Section 101.1(a)(4). Payloads may weigh several hundred
pounds and the physical shape of the balloons change at various altitudes/flight
levels. (See Figure 9-8-1). Balloon and payload ascend at an average rate
of 400 feet a minute. Over the descent area, the payload is normally released
from the balloon and descends by parachute at a minimum rate of 1,000 feet
a minute. The balloon is normally deflated automatically when the payload
is released. The operator is required to advise ATC 1 hour in advance of
descent in accordance with CFR Section 101.39.
a. Post the balloon flight on flight progress strips along the planned trajectory and revise routing as tracking/position reports require.
NOTE -
The prelaunch notice information should be posted on flight progress
strips for planning and operational purposes.
b. Radar flight follow balloons to the extent that equipment capabilities permit. If radar flight following is not possible, tracking should be attempted by communication with the "chase plane," telephone contact with the operator, pilot, or ground observation reports.
NOTE -
Some operators have equipped their balloons with transponder beacons
in addition to a radar reflection device or material required by CFR Section
101.35. But at cruise altitude, the balloon's communications equipment
and transponder, if so equipped, are operated intermittently to conserve
battery energy.
c. With pilot concurrence, provide separation between aircraft
and balloons when you are satisfied that the balloon information is sufficiently
reliable to provide the service. Do not attempt to separate aircraft from
the balloon by using vertical separation unless you have accurate balloon
altitude information.
d. Provide traffic advisories to all affected aircraft during
initial contact specifying the balloon's known or estimated position, direction
of movement, and altitude as "unknown" or "reported," as appropriate.
NOTE -
Unless ATC requires otherwise, operators of unmanned free balloons
are required to monitor the course of the balloon and record its position
at least every two hours. As required in CFR Section 101.39(a), balloon
position reports are not forwarded by the operator unless requested by
the ATC.
PHRASEOLOGY -
UNMANNED FREE BALLOON OVER (name of location),
or
ESTIMATED OVER (name of location), MOVING (direction of movement).
LAST REPORTED ALTITUDE AT (altitude as reported by the operator
or determined from pilot report),
or
ALTITUDE UNKNOWN.
e. To transfer flight following responsibility of balloons between
facilities or between controllers, forward the following information when
available:
REFERENCE -
CFR Section 101.37, Notice Requirements.
CFR Section 101.39, Balloon Position Reports.
1. Identification and type; e.g., Flight 804 Balloon.
2. Last known position and altitude.
3. General direction of movement and speed.
4. ETA over facility boundary, sector boundary, or other point
if believed to be reasonably accurate.
5. Other pertinent information.
6. If in radar contact, physically point out the target to the
receiving controller.
7. The name and the telephone number of the location where tracking
is being accomplished.
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Derelict Balloons, paragraph 9-7-2.
Balloons become derelict when a moored balloon slips its mooring
and becomes a hazard to air navigation or when an unmanned free balloon
flight cannot be terminated as planned. When this occurs:
a. In the case of a moored balloon which has slipped its moorings,
issue traffic advisories.
b. In the case of an unmanned free balloon, flight follow the
balloon and, to the extent possible, provide aircraft under your control
separation from the balloon.
c. Forward balloon position information received from pilot
reports or derived from radar returns to your supervisor for further dissemination.
d. If radar contact of the balloon is lost, broadcast an advisory
to all aircraft operating in the airspace affected by the derelict balloon
at 10 minute intervals continuing until the derelict balloon is no longer
a factor.
PHRASEOLOGY -
ADVISORY TO ALL AIRCRAFT.
DERELICT BALLOON REPORTED IN THE VICINITY OF (location),
or
ESTIMATED IN VICINITY OF (location),
or
REPORTED OVER (location),
or
RADAR REPORTED OVER (location).
LAST REPORTED ALTITUDE AT (altitude as reported by operator or
pilot report),
or
ALTITUDE UNKNOWN.
e. Transfer flight following responsibility as outlined in paragraph
9-7-1, Application, subparagraph e.
{New-98-3 Revised February 26, 1998}
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7210.3, Derelict Balloons, paragraph 18-6-2.