Balloon Mapping

6Spiderman

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Joined
Aug 29, 2012
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Pretoria
Hi Guys,

Anyone ever considered Balloon Mapping?
Is it Legal/Illegal in South Africa?

What do you guys think of it?

I know there is Drones for this, but I kind of like the 'Low-Budget' Idea behind this.
 
Hi Guys,

Anyone ever considered Balloon Mapping?
Is it Legal/Illegal in South Africa?

I know that drone legislation is currently non-existent in SA (but currently being worked on). Off the top of my head, civil flights must stay above ~500 m, so if there is any possibility of encountering aeroplanes, I would not take a balloon above, say, 150 m (which is a recommended safe altitude ceiling for drones).

Before you even consider going higher than that you should involve a pilot, or at least someone who has had basic training and understands air traffic. You could (should?) lodge your flight plan with the relevant authority.
 
Captive balloon flights (i.e. it has held down with a line) are governed by the same regulations that apply to drones, namely SA-CATS 94. The relevant sections are 94.05.1 and 94.06.05, where a partial summary would be:

May not be flown
(a) by night;
(b) in meteorological conditions less than those prescribed as suitable for flight under VFR;
(c) within controlled airspace, unless cleared by and on conditions prescribed by ATC; or
(d) within 5 NM from the aerodrome reference point of an aerodrome, licensed or approved in terms of Part 139 of these regulations and situated in Class G airspace, unless established unmanned aerodrome procedures for the particular aerodrome can be adhered to; or
(e) unless unavoidable, over built up areas and open - air assemblies of persons except for the purpose of take - off, transit and landing.

No captive balloon operation shall be conducted –
(i) higher than 150 feet above the surface; or
(ii) from or above a public road; unless with the prior approval of the Director and on conditions determined by him or her.
In the event of a captive balloon breaking free from its moorings, the operator thereof shall immediately report the occurrence to the nearest ATSU , indicating the direction in which the balloon is drifting.
 
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