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hotairballoonist

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  5. AD 2016-17-04 All aircraft to comply. UPDATED 09/02/16

    in Odds and Endless

    Posted · Edited by HotAirBalloonist
    New Final Decision.

    Recent UPdate  2016-21409.pdf

     

    The FAA has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) for ALL U.S. registered hot air balloons that deals with a fuel hose issue which is part of burners manufactured by Kubicek (AD number "AD 2016-17-04")

    The FAA issued this AD for all balloons since it is possible to install different manufacturer's baskets/burner systems under other manufacturer's envelopes. While only a small number of balloon systems in the U.S. are affected by this AD, all U.S. registered balloons are required to comply with the AD. 

    This only affects systems with BALÓNY KUBÃÄŒEK spol. s r.o. Model KubíÄek burners equipped with fuel hoses made of ''EGEFLEX'' material.  See bfa.net to view the full Airworthiness Directive.

    However, since the FAA issued the AD for all US registered balloons, the BFA is recommending that Owner/Operators without the specific equipment listed above make the appropriate logbook entry if they have complete knowledge that they do not have the affected Kubicek equipment in their balloon system. It is not actually required by the FAA, but it makes it much easier to show compliance to the FAA and any rallies that request it.

    In the back of a Standard Aircraft Log, there are pages where AD compliance may be logged.  If you know with total certainty that your aircraft does not contain an affected Kubicek burner, the following entry may be made:

    ---------------------------------------
            AD 2016-17-04 

            I have complied with the requirements of this AD by verifying that the affected Kubicek burner is not part of this aircraft.   
            (Sign and list your pilot certificate number and type i.e. Comm or Private.)
    ---------------------------------------

    Thanks to Mark West and Scott Wooge for their work on this issue.

  7. BFA Meeting with FAA 08/12/16

    in Balloon Federation of America

    Posted

    Dear BFA members,

     

    On Friday August 12 several BFA members were invited to participate in a meeting in Washington, D.C. led by John Duncan, FAA Director of Flight Service Standards.

    Director Duncan indicated his team wished to learn more about the sport of ballooning and particularly commercial ride operations. The BFA members participated in an open discussion regarding how the sport works.

     

    Prior to the meeting the Guidelines for Operations approved by the BFA's Professional Ride Operators division (PRO) had been submitted to the FAA. Director Duncan was particularly impressed with the guidelines and best practices policies required by PRO members, and a long discussion on how to share these practices with others was held.

     

    The BFA committed to continue our cooperation with the FAA to help keep our sport safe. We have agreed to form a focus team to continue our work together.

     

    The focus team will develop a "Call to Action Plan" in the coming weeks which may include :

     

    - Possible recognition program for safe operators
    - Working with FAA's FAAST teams to promote the PRO guidelines.
    - Help with a public relations campaign to better educate the consumers
    - Get balloon insurance companies involved in the process.

     

     

    Many of you have sent suggestions and ideas to us last week. I will share that information with the focus team. There were some great ideas and concerns that were provided.

    Director Duncan indicated he was impressed with what he had learned about the BFA's dedication to safety. He was pleased we are willing to work together in a spirit of cooperation.

    As we progress through this process, we will continue to keep you informed through email, the Quick Release, and the Ballooning Journal

     

    Sincerely,

    Dean Carlton, President
    Balloon Federation of America

    --

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