Most of those regulations pertain to sport hot air balloons and student balloons,
but there are situations where the scientific or commercial high altitude balloon
still has the responsibility to adhere to the rules and coordinate its activities with
the FAA. In some situations the balloon must climb above controlled airspace or
descend to pass through it. This is why most NASA sites are far from controlled
airspace and they make every effort to terminate flights in uncontrolled airspace.
In the past, when airports were used for launch sites, the airport was shut down for
a period and this was coordinated with the FAA.
Because most commercial aircraft fly well below 12 km (40,000 ft) and military aircraft typically have their own controlled airspace and scientific & commercial balloons fly above those altitudes, there is rarely a problem. Most balloon
flights are above controlled airspace, which typically cuts off at 18 km (60,000 ft).
Even so, NASA and commercial companies such as Loon and World View
Enterprises maintain close communications with the FAA.
There can also be dangerous situations above controlled airspace. I remember
a time when I was in the RB-57F at 20 km (65,000 ft) and the FAA warned us of
an aircraft coming at us at our 12 o’clock. It was an SR-71. At that altitude, it’s
difficult to see the other aircraft, and very difficult to maneuver without losing
altitude or getting off your desired ground track and targets.
The launch sites used by NASA have been selected to avoid heavily populated
areas and are in uncontrolled airspace. Nevertheless, depending upon the winds
aloft, balloons can temporarily impinge on controlled airspace as they climb to
higher altitudes.
4.1.5 Meteorological Forecasts
In meteorology, a forecaster can never have too much data. Due to the inherent
remote locations of ballooning campaigns, obtaining a sufficient amount of data
can often be a challenge. Lack of data can give rise to uncertain forecasts, so it is
important to collect and distribute as much data as possible. The forecaster uses
many sources of data, including:
• Surface observations including temperature, dew point, wind, pressure and
other parameters.
• Frequent and timely satellite imagery.
• Radar.
• Upper air observations.
• Atmospheric model data.
One of the major sources of data available to the forecaster is NOAAPort. The
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) broadcasts weather
observations, forecasts, images, models, watches/warnings, and hazard-related
4.1 Mission Drivers 67
but there are situations where the scientific or commercial high altitude balloon
still has the responsibility to adhere to the rules and coordinate its activities with
the FAA. In some situations the balloon must climb above controlled airspace or
descend to pass through it. This is why most NASA sites are far from controlled
airspace and they make every effort to terminate flights in uncontrolled airspace.
In the past, when airports were used for launch sites, the airport was shut down for
a period and this was coordinated with the FAA.
Because most commercial aircraft fly well below 12 km (40,000 ft) and military aircraft typically have their own controlled airspace and scientific & commercial balloons fly above those altitudes, there is rarely a problem. Most balloon
flights are above controlled airspace, which typically cuts off at 18 km (60,000 ft).
Even so, NASA and commercial companies such as Loon and World View
Enterprises maintain close communications with the FAA.
There can also be dangerous situations above controlled airspace. I remember
a time when I was in the RB-57F at 20 km (65,000 ft) and the FAA warned us of
an aircraft coming at us at our 12 o’clock. It was an SR-71. At that altitude, it’s
difficult to see the other aircraft, and very difficult to maneuver without losing
altitude or getting off your desired ground track and targets.
The launch sites used by NASA have been selected to avoid heavily populated
areas and are in uncontrolled airspace. Nevertheless, depending upon the winds
aloft, balloons can temporarily impinge on controlled airspace as they climb to
higher altitudes.
4.1.5 Meteorological Forecasts
In meteorology, a forecaster can never have too much data. Due to the inherent
remote locations of ballooning campaigns, obtaining a sufficient amount of data
can often be a challenge. Lack of data can give rise to uncertain forecasts, so it is
important to collect and distribute as much data as possible. The forecaster uses
many sources of data, including:
• Surface observations including temperature, dew point, wind, pressure and
other parameters.
• Frequent and timely satellite imagery.
• Radar.
• Upper air observations.
• Atmospheric model data.
One of the major sources of data available to the forecaster is NOAAPort. The
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) broadcasts weather
observations, forecasts, images, models, watches/warnings, and hazard-related
4.1 Mission Drivers 67