##Size: Unregulated Balloons##

We try to design our equipment to be non-hazardous, but also unregulated. “Section 101.1  Applicability” of the regulations outlines the requirements for exemption.

[Federal Code of Regulations Title 14: Aeronautics and Space. PART 101—MOORED BALLOONS, KITES, AMATEUR ROCKETS AND UNMANNED FREE BALLOONS](http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=e29bc663738a4224a2112f8a1a8279a9&rgn=div5&view=text&node=14:2.0.1.3.15&idno=14)

FAA guidelines Federal Aviation Regulation 101(FAR101)  provide exemptions for the type of small balloons used by the grassroots mapping community:

"101.1a(1)Except as provided for in §101.7, any balloon that is moored to the surface of the earth or an object thereon and that has a diameter of more than 6 feet or a gas capacity of more than 115 cubic feet. (2) Except as provided for in §101.7, any kite that weighs more than 5 pounds and is intended to be flown at the end of a rope or cable."

Our size limit is therefore 6ft or 115 cubic feet of gas. At sea level, helium provides 7.5lbs of lift for 115cu ft (based on 65.5/1000 cu ft, from pg 68, “A History of Flying” C.H. Gibbs-Smith), 5lbs is therefore a realistic payload limit for a moored balloon as well. Currently, the point and shoot camera with gps grassroots mapping payloads are at around 1 pound. Expansion is possible towards additional sensors, stereo pair data collection, larger consumer SLR cameras, heavier duty line, etc.

##Usage##

In separating safety from U.S. law, the following represents responsible use of unregulated balloons and kites. 

When you fly your balloon, check for any local regulations such as restricted airspace. Purchase a sectional chart from the nearest general aviation airport to locate restricted air spaces. If the flight area is withing 5 miles of any airport and above altitudes of several hundred feet, contact the local airport or FAA Flight Service Station(FSS) in order to report a Notice To Airmen (NOTAM).

[FSS contact and hotline](http://www.aopa.org/flightplanning/articles/2007/071004card.pdf) (pdf)

Part of the preflight mission planning will include surveying the flight area for hazards. During the flight tall buildings and trees are also avoided as a precaution to wind currents and turbulence on the imaging platform.

[Another interpretation of FAR 101](http://vpizza.org/~jmeehan/balloon/#regulations) from a high altitude untethered balloon project.