Disclaimer

Read Federal Aviation Regulation 101 and learn the parts about balloons. All summaries and guidelines provided are not a substitute for direct interpretation.

Unregulated Balloons

We try to design our equipment to be non-hazardous, but also unregulated. FAA guidelines provide exemptions for small balloons:

“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.

Near Space by Paul Verhage gives good design guidelines for high altitude balloons (which could be any balloon that breaks its moorings) and a summary of FAA regulations as well. A useful quotation on mapping out flying space: “Purchase a sectional chart to locate restricted air spaces. Visit your local airport for the chart. You want an airport that caters to private aircraft so don’t bother major airports that service airliner companies. Now that you have found the launch perfect site(s), locate them in relation to the nearest airport.” pg 2, Chapter 14, Near Space by L. Paul Verhage