Welcome to our pilot resources page. The information on this page is targeted specifically for balloon pilots. We have included information about flying in Wyoming, weather links, aeronautical links, education and information links, and a list of upcoming flying events. If you have any questions or would like us to add more information, contact us.
FAA Balloon Flying Handbook Publication date 2008.
The Balloon Flying Handbook is available for download on the FAA website. This book is a collective effort of balloonists throughout the United States, and is a comprehensive manual for flight operations and safety. Considered to be one of the best resources for hot-air and gas balloon flight.
FAA Balloon Flying Handbook Addendum Publication date 2016.
Private Pilot Lighter-Than-Air, Balloon and Airship Practial Test Standards.
Commercial Pilot Lighter-Than-Air, Balloon and Airship Test Standards.
Teaching the Unknown. A Balloon Instructor’s Guide to Flight Training Preparation. --by Adam Magee, FAA Safety Team Representative
The Dangerous Power of Power Lines. Tips for avoiding collisions and close encounters. --by Adam Magee, FAA Safety Team Rep
AAAA Hot Air Ballooning Ground Schools – Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association & AAAA Education Foundation
The Balloon Training Academy
| safetybriefnovdec2019.pdf |
FAA Annual List of Medications
With cold and flu season underway, the FAA has published its annual list
(https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/medical_certification/media/OTCMedicationsforPilots.pdf) of acceptable and unacceptable over-the- counter (OTC) medications for pilots who want to fly through the pain. The first recommendation is for sick pilots to take their self-certification responsibilities to heart and to wait until they’re feeling better. It’s more complicated than that, however. If, during their illness, pilots have taken any of dozens of OTC product they may have to wait up to 60 hours before flying depending on the recommended frequency for taking the drugs. Short duration doses require a 30-hour lag time while the much-hyped 12-hour medications require the 60-hour waiting period.
The agency has published a list of the most common OTC drugs under their brand names and drug types and split them into “Go” and “No-Go” lists. In general, any medication that has a sedative effect is on the bad list and that encompasses most of the popular cold and flu remedies. However, brand names are not an accurate guide because different types of products under the same brand can contain different drugs. Cold remedies are the most common types of drug impairment found in crash investigations and the FAA says anyone in doubt about the safety of their elixir of choice should contact their AME. “If you choose to fly on medication, be certain that it will not impair safety,” the agency said. “Do not simply hope for the best.”
With cold and flu season underway, the FAA has published its annual list
(https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/medical_certification/media/OTCMedicationsforPilots.pdf) of acceptable and unacceptable over-the- counter (OTC) medications for pilots who want to fly through the pain. The first recommendation is for sick pilots to take their self-certification responsibilities to heart and to wait until they’re feeling better. It’s more complicated than that, however. If, during their illness, pilots have taken any of dozens of OTC product they may have to wait up to 60 hours before flying depending on the recommended frequency for taking the drugs. Short duration doses require a 30-hour lag time while the much-hyped 12-hour medications require the 60-hour waiting period.
The agency has published a list of the most common OTC drugs under their brand names and drug types and split them into “Go” and “No-Go” lists. In general, any medication that has a sedative effect is on the bad list and that encompasses most of the popular cold and flu remedies. However, brand names are not an accurate guide because different types of products under the same brand can contain different drugs. Cold remedies are the most common types of drug impairment found in crash investigations and the FAA says anyone in doubt about the safety of their elixir of choice should contact their AME. “If you choose to fly on medication, be certain that it will not impair safety,” the agency said. “Do not simply hope for the best.”
DISCONTINUATION OF THE NOTICES TO AIRMEN PUBLICATION (NTAP)
As part of the Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) Modernization effort, the NTAP will be discontinued effective June 18, 2020; the last NTAP will be published on May 21, 2020. Effective June 18, 2020, International Notices will be available at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/internationalnotices/ and Graphic Notices will be available at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/graphicnotices/. Information from the International and Graphic Notices sections of the NTAP will be transferred to these new websites. In addition, links to International Notices and Graphic Notices will be available on the FAA NOTAM Search website (https://notams.aim.faa.gov/notamSearch/) and on the Air Traffic Plans and Publications website (https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/). More information, including notice submission procedures and submission cut-off dates, will be published on the International Notices website https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/internationalnotices/ and Graphic Notices website https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/graphicnotices/ when available.
Please email 9-ATOR-HQ-PubGrp@faa.gov if you have any questions.
Recent Web site additions:
https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/notices/media/2_27_20_ntap.pdf (PDF) Effective February 27, 2020
https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/ntap/index.html (HTML) Effective February 27, 2020
As part of the Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) Modernization effort, the NTAP will be discontinued effective June 18, 2020; the last NTAP will be published on May 21, 2020. Effective June 18, 2020, International Notices will be available at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/internationalnotices/ and Graphic Notices will be available at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/graphicnotices/. Information from the International and Graphic Notices sections of the NTAP will be transferred to these new websites. In addition, links to International Notices and Graphic Notices will be available on the FAA NOTAM Search website (https://notams.aim.faa.gov/notamSearch/) and on the Air Traffic Plans and Publications website (https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/). More information, including notice submission procedures and submission cut-off dates, will be published on the International Notices website https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/internationalnotices/ and Graphic Notices website https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/graphicnotices/ when available.
Please email 9-ATOR-HQ-PubGrp@faa.gov if you have any questions.
Recent Web site additions:
https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/notices/media/2_27_20_ntap.pdf (PDF) Effective February 27, 2020
https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/ntap/index.html (HTML) Effective February 27, 2020
Map Information for North Denver, Erie, Frederick
KML file of a PZ map that Scott McGrew created for the north Denver flying area that should be usable in Hot Air and other mapping software. This file includes those properties listed as a prohibited or sensitive zone on both the Erie and Frederick rally maps and a general "yellow zone" over the entirety of Boulder County given some of the issues balloon have encountered when landing in Boulder County Open Space.
Also listed on this map are a few spots marked in blue, which indicate common launch sites. Please note that while Parkland Airport in Erie (noted blue on the map) is both balloon friendly and highly amenable to the balloon launches, it requires permission and a form to
be submitted prior to launching from there. Contact Scott McGrew for more information about launching from Parkland Airport.
The town of Frederick requires a copy of your current insurance to be on file if you chose to launch from Centennial Park. Michael Gianetti is the person to contact about that.
KML file of a PZ map that Scott McGrew created for the north Denver flying area that should be usable in Hot Air and other mapping software. This file includes those properties listed as a prohibited or sensitive zone on both the Erie and Frederick rally maps and a general "yellow zone" over the entirety of Boulder County given some of the issues balloon have encountered when landing in Boulder County Open Space.
Also listed on this map are a few spots marked in blue, which indicate common launch sites. Please note that while Parkland Airport in Erie (noted blue on the map) is both balloon friendly and highly amenable to the balloon launches, it requires permission and a form to
be submitted prior to launching from there. Contact Scott McGrew for more information about launching from Parkland Airport.
The town of Frederick requires a copy of your current insurance to be on file if you chose to launch from Centennial Park. Michael Gianetti is the person to contact about that.
Map of Colorado High Voltage Power Lines
Jeff Buesing created a map file that includes all of the high voltage power lines in the entire state of Colorado that highlights these
lines on your hot air mapping neon green. It's strictly the high voltage lines and does not include the lower voltage lines. Highly recommend uploading this to your mapping software as well.
Map of Colorado High Voltage Power Lines
Jeff Buesing created a map file that includes all of the high voltage power lines in the entire state of Colorado that highlights these
lines on your hot air mapping neon green. It's strictly the high voltage lines and does not include the lower voltage lines. Highly recommend uploading this to your mapping software as well.