Last Update:
5 December 2011
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Submitted: December 5, 2011
Hello everyone. Sorry for the late notice. We were asked if we
could set up a balloon glow for this Friday at West Valley
Farms, which is at the 101 and I-10 in the west valley. They do
a large christmas light display that people drive through.
I know the next question is what is in it for us, well for
this one nothing but smiles on the faces of people coming out to
see the lights and balloons.
What we are doing is showing the property owner what balloons
can do to help draw people to his property and events. We are in
the talk with him about doing this for future events and also
holding flying events from his property. He has a very large
property with grass soccer fields almost as large as balloon
fiesta in Albuquerque. It can be a great place to fly from and
will be a positive thing for ballooning in the valley. With
everything going on I think this is a chance to show the
positive side of ballooning to the Phoenix Valley. If you can
come out please respond and I will get a list of everyone. We
would be shooting to be out there Friday night around 5:30p
Hope everyone has a great holiday and see you soon.
Michael Glen
520-349-4825
mglen42@rollingpilot.com
NEW Red
Zone !!
Can you please notify your members
that the ASU Research Park is private property and balloonists
are not allowed to land here. Our property is located between
Elliot and Warner Roads in Tempe and we border the 101 Freeway
on the east and a neighborhood of homes on the west.
This morning a balloon landed in the Park near high
security buildings mocking us by stating they land on private
property secured or not. They will be issued a letter formally
trespassing them from the Park. To avoid further incidents we
would appreciate your club member’s cooperation.
Thank You,
Judy Page
ASU Research Park, Manager Property Services
8750 S. Science Drive, Tempe, AZ 85284
480-752-2108
email jpage@asurp.net
Comment Period Re-opened for
Anti-depressant Policy
In response to a request from the Air Line Pilots Association,
the FAA has re-opened the comment period on a policy statement
published April 5, 2010, related to a measure that will allow
pilots using certain anti-depressant medication to continue
flying. The original comment period for the policy closed May 5,
but is now open again until June 25, 2010.
The proposed policy will allow pilots taking certain medication
for mild to moderate depression to seek special issuance medical
certificates. The impetus for the change stems from an increased
understanding of depression and the evolution of medicines
treating the condition. Anyone interested in posting comments
may go to
www.regulations.gov/ and reference Docket Number
FAA-2009-0773.
FAA Aviation
Safety
SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS
INFORMATION BULLETIN
SAIB: CE-10-31
SUBJ: Fuselage - Free Manned Balloons with Undivided Gondolas
Date: May 5, 2010 This is information only. Recommendations
aren’t mandatory.
Introduction
This special airworthiness information bulletin alerts
owners and operators of all models of free manned balloons
with gondolas that carry more than four passengers of an
airworthiness concern, specifically the potential risk of
injury during landing with undivided gondolas.
The airworthiness concern is not an unsafe condition that
would warrant airworthiness directive action under Title 14
of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 39.
Background
This recommendation results from an NTSB accident
investigation of aircraft N2867W, Aerostar S77 hot air
balloon. There were eight passengers on board; two
passengers were injured, one minor and one serious. During
the Report of the Administrator, FSDO investigation, it was
determined that large balloons may derive a safety benefit
from having partitions in the gondola.
Recommendations
The FAA recommends that owners/operators of all models of
free manned balloons with more than four passengers divide
the gondola into partitions following gondola manufacturer
methods or standard maintenance practices.
For Further Information Contact
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Attention: Mr. Taylor
Martin, ACE 112, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO
64106; telephone (816) 329-4139; fax (816) 329-4090.
Remembrance of Claire
Bennett
Claire Bennett
passed away March 18, 2010 in Vienna, Missouri. He was an early
balloonist and attended flying events in the Valley and had many
ballooning friends.
Claire had a private license, commercial license,
instructor, and was an FAA examiner. He was an astute business
man, but will be remembered by the older balloonists and crews
for his leadership of “The Hot Air Gang.” This group put on the
Four Corners Memorial Day Balloon Race for many years at
Farmington, New Mexico. The flying tasks were challenging and
unique. After flying were many fun activities. In the whole
world, nothing compares to this weekend of flying, fun, and now
memories.
Claire will always be remembered for his smile,
laughter, and his ability to be a friend to all he met.
His wife, Louise, can be reached at 573-422-3454 or PO Box 327,
Vienna, MO, 65582-0327. Submitted by Wally Perry
Deadline Approaches for Plastic Pilot
Certificate !
Paper pilot certificates will no longer be valid after March 31,
2010, so make sure you’ve upgraded to a plastic certificate. The
FAA mandated the change because it says the plastic certificates
are more counterfeit resistant. Pilots can request the plastic
certificate through the FAA’s Web site or by mail. The cost is
$2, but if you change your pilot certificate number from your
Social Security number, the switch is free. Temporary, student,
and flight instructor certificates are not impacted by the rule.
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