Latest News
26 February 2013
You may be aware of the information released by the Dominion Paper after getting the ombudsman to sign off on a freedom of information release form served to the CAA. The main news paper article was about Lance Hoppping not having a current Class one medical release (by 6 weeks).
The guts of that is a closer look at medicals.
Under the rules you have to have a class one medical to fly commercially, you can do the same stuff under a class two but not for money. In Lances case he had to pass his Class one every six months and his class two was valid for twelve months, he could also fly commercially on a class two but only as the second pilot in a two pilot situation in the same aircraft with the lead pilot holding a class one medical. However the new Part 115 that has been enforce since May 2012 now makes not only the pilot but also the business responsible and accountable for the pilot to fly with the appropriate qualifications ,rating, and medical.
Remember BAANZ has a petition in with the CAA for several years which now has come up for review to get the medical requirement downgraded to a Class two for commercial work based on the ICAO system were balloonists do aerial work on a class two medical. This would by default also mean a lower medical standard for our new PPL(B).
The other recommendation was about pilot passenger briefings and telling them about how controls work and what to do in an emergency and what lines to pull to make the balloon go down or collapse the envelope. My personal view is this goes along way down the track to having another accident and possibly more fatalities. I tell my passengers private and commercial where the fire extinguisher is and the medical kit and not to touch any of my control lines. Pilots by default have very strict medicals in either class one or two, and are not likely to collapse or go nuts. The last thing anyone wants is for a passenger who may have a panic attack about height, pulling you envelope deflation line or parachute line for too long. You don’t hear the pilot of a 757 or the single pilot in a light aircraft telling the passengers that in an emergency come up to the cockpit and start playing with the controls so why do it with a balloon.
The last part is possibly the most important that could have ramifications with the way we fly and that is around power lines. Denis Hall has already released an email on this. We need to be pro active we possibly need to get a BAANZ representative on the discussion panel when the coroner has his investigation when the TAIC report is released in May. One recommendation is to move the upright poles to the edge of the basket. All major balloon companies have been around for 30 – 40 years and I believe they have got it right so why change. In the topdressing aviation industry they have had 149 fatalities since the Second World War and three in the last few years most are into power lines. Helicopters’ have also had horrendous wire strikes but they still have skids.
We as balloonists need to be extra vigilant and really assess what and how we fly. We are passionate about our sport lets be passionate about how we continue doing it.
Clear skies and safe landings
14 April 2012
Did you know that all BAANZ members can talk socially but privately on Face Book? All you need to do is sign into Face Book search for BANZ and ask to join. This is a closed group where you can discuss anything and everything ballooning. Face Book
10 February
This March will be the 14th Year Balloons Over Wairarapa have held a large balloon event. This year will be extra special with a memorial flight for Lance Hopping. If you would like to attend,crew or spectate the event you can visit this website
www.nzballoons.co.nz
for information.
Easter weekend is the Lift Off Levin annual Event for the Horowhenua District. Pilots and crew love this event for the different dynamics in competitions such as "Ten Pin" Ballooning and the "Ballooning Boat Regatta".
10 February 2012
Just released Balloons Over Waikato have annouced that the Kangaroo's are coming from America. As well as the Kangaroos Iwi the Kiwi will be flying at the Annual Fiesta. Balloons Over Waikato will be held in Hamilton from the 28th March til the 1st April 2012.
8th January 2012
Dear friends,
In the name of your French friends and pilots of Annonay we like you bring our support in this terrible drama.
Pass on from the friendship of the Annonay's pilots , home town of the brothers Montgolfier to our pilot colleagues NZ
Good luck and keep the envy
We stay in your listening
Bruno & Dominique
Emilie, Pascal,
Michel & Isabelle
Annonay Berceau Aerostation
8th January 2012
I have just learned of the terrible accident that struck your community yesterday. Please accept and convey the FAI Ballooning Commission’s and my personal heartfelt condolences for this terrible loss to those concerned.
This is a sad time for ballooning and I am sure the world’s ballooning community’s thoughts are with you today.
JC Weber, president
FAI Ballooning Commission
8th January 2012
My deepest sympathy to you, all your balloon friends and colleagues and especially the families of Lance Hopping and his passengers after today’s shocking tragedy. This is a day no one can ever prepare for and so must all gain strength in the support of each other and know that others are thinking of you and desperately wanting to know how they can help.
You are a small but equally enthusiastic component of the aviation community and I know all your aviation colleagues are with you in feeling your loss and shock tonight.
Carlton Campbell
7th January 2012
Today we lost one of our own and ten other people. On behalf of BAANZ and all other New Zealand pilots and crew I wish to pass on our condolences to the families concerned. At times like this we reflect on how lucky we are to have such a wonderful office to work from but also the huge responsibilities we carry on our shoulders. Always remember ballooning is still a safe occupation and we give so many people an awesome experience.
All our thoughts are with Lance’s family and his work mates.
Martyn
2nd May 2011
A new Document about QNH, QFE and QNE has been put up in the Documents section.
Also New pictures have been put up in the Gallery section.
30th April 2011
Incoming Committee
President – Martyn Stacey
Vice President – Andy Nicholson
Secretary /Treasurer – Pauline Hickey
General Committee – Scott Cursons, Neil Aberhart, David Norris, Chris Bransgrove & Paul Hicks
Life Membership Award
The BAANZ membership honored Martyn Stacey with a Life Membership Award in recognition of the outstanding level of work he has put into Ballooning in general and especially the Private Pilots Licence.
14th April 2011
We've been getting my Thunder & Colt AX7-77 ZK-PGT up together again ready for its annual & then sale to Pete Dutneall in time for BOW.
Well the tanks have been retested, new PRV's, burners overhauled with new hoses & the basket tidied up too. All that was left to do was a few repairs to the envelope.
I took it down to Masterton on Thursday & Mac & I discovered some very dodgy repairs under some vertical load tapes... so have descided to scrap the envelope.
Unfortunately that leaves Pete up the creek without a paddle for BOW so wonder if you could put an email out to BAANZ members asking if there is an envelope not being used for the Hamilton event that he can use?
Rich Visick
28th February 2011
A Sz map has gone up in the Documents Section. It is a good reference for those pilots coming into the Hamilton to fly
28th February 2011
Great Article by Marty now up in the Document Section
27th February 2011
This is a great link on balloon safety and airmanship
Link: Safety Sense Leaflet 16: Balloon Airmanship
21st December 2010
Added another safety brief concerning tie off ropes and quick releases.
13th December 2010
Some new documents are up under the ballooning part of the website. Some good reminders about fan safety and procedures in non local flying areas.
13th December 2010
Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all the BAANZ members also members of the wider ballooning community here and abroad. Hope 2011 brings light winds and soft landings.
14th November 2010
Learn all about compeditive ballooning in the documents section under ballooning. The website is currently being
added to on a regular basis, so please contact the webmaster: Webmaster@Baanz.co.nz
30th October 2010
There is a NOTAM out in respect of flying in the vicinity of the world rowing championships at Lake Karapiro. If you are/were planning to be flying in that area during the rowing championships please contact the Tower to clarify what conditions apply.
July 5th 2010
Balloon Tech Exam
News just in CAA have extended the submission date for the Balloon tech knowledge until the 15th July Please comment on this paper as it is in your interest to do so.
July 2nd 2010
Website
Welcome to the new BAANZ website!!!!! A big thank you goes out to Michael Toulson for making this happen. The website is here for everyone to enjoy, so please make use of the information available for you to use. Please be aware that we are still working on this site, so please work with us while we get it fully up and running.
Name change
You may also know that BAANZ has also had a name change: Balloon Aviation Association of New Zealand.
Facebook
BAANZ (BANZ) is now on Facebook; everything on Facebook however, is public content and need to watch what you write. The Facebook page is designed so we can have a discussion about what is going on with ballooning in New Zealand. There is also a social ballooning page on Facebook New Zealand Hot Air Ballooning where you can download photos, video’s and speak your mind, but again this is a public page.
Classifieds
You may have noticed that there is a classified section on this website, if you wish to sell anything ballooning please contact us and we will list this for you. |
