Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 923/2012Show full title

Appendix 2

Unmanned free balloons U.K.

1. CLASSIFICATION OF UNMANNED FREE BALLOONS U.K.

1.1. Unmanned free balloons shall be classified as (see Figure AP2-1): U.K.

(a) light

:

an unmanned free balloon which carries a payload of one or more packages with a combined mass of less than 4 kg, unless qualifying as a heavy balloon in accordance with (c)(2),(3) or (4); or

(b) medium

:

an unmanned free balloon which carries a payload of two or more packages with a combined mass of 4 kg or more, but less than 6 kg, unless qualifying as a heavy balloon in accordance with (c)(2), (3) or (4) below; or

(c) heavy

:

an unmanned free balloon which carries a payload which:

(1)

has a combined mass of 6 kg or more; or

(2)

includes a package of 3 kg or more; or

(3)

includes a package of 2 kg or more with an area density of more than 13 g per square centimetre, determined by dividing the total mass in grams of the payload package by the area in square centimetres of its smallest surface; or

(4)

uses a rope or other device for suspension of the payload that requires an impact force of 230 N or more to separate the suspended payload from the balloon.

2. GENERAL OPERATING RULES U.K.

2.1. An unmanned free balloon shall not be operated without authorisation from the State from which the launch is made. U.K.

2.2. An unmanned free balloon, other than a light balloon used exclusively for meteorological purposes and operated in the manner prescribed by the competent authority, shall not be operated across the territory of another State without authorisation from the other State concerned. U.K.

2.3. The authorisation referred to in 2.2 shall be obtained prior to the launching of the balloon if there is reasonable expectation, when planning the operation, that the balloon may drift into airspace over the territory of another State. Such authorisation may be obtained for a series of balloon flights or for a particular type of recurring flight, e.g. atmospheric research balloon flights. U.K.

2.4. An unmanned free balloon shall be operated in accordance with conditions specified by the State of Registry and the State(s) expected to be overflown. U.K.

2.5. An unmanned free balloon shall not be operated in such a manner that impact of the balloon, or any part thereof, including its payload, with the surface of the earth, creates a hazard to persons or property. U.K.

2.6. A heavy unmanned free balloon shall not be operated over the high seas without prior coordination with the ANSP(s). U.K.

Figure AP2-1

3. OPERATING LIMITATIONS AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS U.K.

3.1. A heavy unmanned free balloon shall not be operated without authorisation from the ANSP(s) at or through any level below 18 000 m (60 000 ft) pressure-altitude at which: U.K.

(a)

there are clouds or obscuring phenomena of more than four oktas coverage; or

(b)

the horizontal visibility is less than 8 km.

3.2. A heavy or medium unmanned free balloon shall not be released in a manner that will cause it to fly lower than 300 m (1 000 ft) over the congested areas of cities, towns or settlements or an open-air assembly of persons not associated with the operation. U.K.

3.3. A heavy unmanned free balloon shall not be operated unless: U.K.

(a)

it is equipped with at least two payload flight-termination devices or systems, whether automatic or operated by telecommand, that operate independently of each other;

(b)

for polyethylene zero-pressure balloons, at least two methods, systems, devices, or combinations thereof, that function independently of each other are employed for terminating the flight of the balloon envelope;

(c)

the balloon envelope is equipped with either a radar reflective device(s) or radar reflective material that will present an echo to surface radar operating in the 200 MHz to 2 700 MHz frequency range, and/or the balloon is equipped with such other devices as will permit continuous tracking by the operator beyond the range of ground-based radar.

3.4. A heavy unmanned free balloon shall not be operated under the following conditions: U.K.

(a)

in an area where ground-based SSR equipment is in use, unless it is equipped with a secondary surveillance radar transponder, with pressure-altitude reporting capability, which is continuously operating on an assigned code, or which can be turned on when necessary by the tracking station; or

(b)

in an area where ground-based ADS-B equipment is in use, unless it is equipped with an ADS-B transmitter, with pressure-altitude reporting capability, which is continuously operating or which can be turned on when necessary by the tracking station.

3.5. An unmanned free balloon that is equipped with a trailing antenna that requires a force of more than 230 N to break it at any point shall not be operated unless the antenna has coloured pennants or streamers that are attached at not more than 15 m intervals. U.K.

3.6. A heavy unmanned free balloon shall not be operated below 18 000 m (60 000 ft) pressure-altitude at night or during any other period prescribed by the competent authority, unless the balloon and its attachments and payload, whether or not they become separated during the operation, are lighted. U.K.

3.7. A heavy unmanned free balloon that is equipped with a suspension device (other than a highly conspicuously coloured open parachute) more than 15 m long shall not be operated during night below 18 000 m (60 000 ft) pressure-altitude unless the suspension device is coloured in alternate bands of high conspicuity colours or has coloured pennants attached. U.K.

4. TERMINATION U.K.

4.1. The operator of a heavy unmanned free balloon shall activate the appropriate termination devices required by 3.3(a) and (b): U.K.

(a)

when it becomes known that weather conditions are less than those prescribed for the operation;

(b)

if a malfunction or any other reason makes further operation hazardous to air traffic or to persons or property on the surface; or

(c)

prior to unauthorised entry into the airspace over another State’s territory.

5. FLIGHT NOTIFICATION U.K.

5.1. Pre-flight notification U.K.

5.1.1. Early notification of the intended flight of an unmanned free balloon in the medium or heavy category shall be made to the appropriate air traffic services unit not less than seven days before the date of the intended flight. U.K.

5.1.2. Notification of the intended flight shall include such of the following information as may be required by the appropriate air traffic services unit: U.K.

(a)

balloon flight identification or project code name;

(b)

balloon classification and description;

(c)

SSR code, aircraft address or NDB frequency as applicable;

(d)

operator’s name and telephone number;

(e)

launch site;

(f)

estimated time of launch (or time of commencement and completion of multiple launches);

(g)

number of balloons to be launched and the scheduled interval between launches (if multiple launches);

(h)

expected direction of ascent;

(i)

cruising level(s) (pressure-altitude);

(j)

the estimated elapsed time to pass 18 000 m (60 000 ft) pressure-altitude or to reach cruising level if at or below 18 000 m (60 000 ft), together with the estimated location. If the operation consists of continuous launchings, the time to be included shall be the estimated time at which the first and the last in the series will reach the appropriate level (e.g. 122136Z–130330Z);

(k)

the estimated date and time of termination of the flight and the planned location of the impact/recovery area. In the case of balloons carrying out flights of long duration, as a result of which the date and time of termination of the flight and the location of impact cannot be forecast with accuracy, the term ‘long duration’ shall be used. If there is to be more than one location of impact/recovery, each location shall be listed together with the appropriate estimated time of impact. If there is to be a series of continuous impacts, the time to be included shall be the estimated time of the first and the last in the series (e.g. 070330Z–072300Z).

[F1 5.1.3. Any changes in the pre-launch information notified in accordance with point 5.1.2 shall be forwarded to the ATS unit concerned not less than 6 hours before the estimated time of launch, or in the case of solar or cosmic disturbance investigations involving a critical time element, not less than 30 minutes before the estimated time of the commencement of the operation.] U.K.

Textual Amendments

F1 Substituted by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1185 of 20 July 2016 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 as regards the update and completion of the common rules of the air and operational provisions regarding services and procedures in air navigation (SERA Part C) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 730/2006 (Text with EEA relevance).

5.2. Notification of launch U.K.

5.2.1. Immediately after a medium or heavy unmanned free balloon is launched the operator shall notify the appropriate air traffic services unit of the following: U.K.

(a)

balloon flight identification;

(b)

launch site;

(c)

actual time of launch;

(d)

estimated time at which 18 000 m (60 000 ft) pressure-altitude will be passed, or the estimated time at which the cruising level will be reached if at or below 18 000 m (60 000 ft), and the estimated location; and

(e)

any changes to the information previously notified in accordance with 5.1.2(g) and (h).

5.3. Notification of cancellation U.K.

5.3.1. The operator shall notify the appropriate air traffic services unit immediately it is known that the intended flight of a medium or heavy unmanned free balloon, previously notified in accordance with paragraph 5.1, has been cancelled. U.K.

6. POSITION RECORDING AND REPORTS U.K.

6.1. The operator of a heavy unmanned free balloon operating at or below 18 000 m (60 000 ft) pressure-altitude shall monitor the flight path of the balloon and forward reports of the balloon’s position as requested by air traffic services. Unless air traffic services require reports of the balloon’s position at more frequent intervals, the operator shall record the position every 2 hours. U.K.

6.2. The operator of a heavy unmanned free balloon operating above 18 000 m (60 000 ft) pressure-altitude shall monitor the flight progress of the balloon and forward reports of the balloon’s position as requested by air traffic services. Unless air traffic services require reports of the balloon’s position at more frequent intervals, the operator shall record the position every 24 hours. U.K.

6.3. If a position cannot be recorded in accordance with 6.1 and 6.2, the operator shall immediately notify the appropriate air traffic services unit. This notification shall include the last recorded position. The appropriate air traffic services unit shall be notified immediately when tracking of the balloon is re-established. U.K.

6.4. One hour before the beginning of planned descent of a heavy unmanned free balloon, the operator shall forward to the appropriate ATS unit the following information regarding the balloon: U.K.

(a)

the current geographical position;

(b)

the current level (pressure-altitude);

(c)

the forecast time of penetration of 18 000 m (60 000 ft) pressure-altitude, if applicable;

(d)

the forecast time and location of ground impact.

6.5. The operator of a heavy or medium unmanned free balloon shall notify the appropriate air traffic services unit when the operation is ended. U.K.