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CHAPTER 3 - BALLOON QUALIFICATIONS
3.1 DEFINITION OF BALLOON
SG 2.2.1, 2.2.1.1 ; S 1 2.1.1.2
3.2 FUEL
3.3 NOMINATION OF BALLOON
3.4 AIRWORTHINESS S1 5.5.3
3.5 DAMAGE
3.6 AUTOMATIC FLIGHT CONTROLS
S1 5.9.2
3.7 ALTIMETER
3.8 COMPETITION NUMBERS
3.9 BASKET
3.10 RETRIEVE VEHICLES
3.1 DEFINITION OF BALLOON SG 2.2.1, 2.2.1.1 ; S1 2.1.1.2
3.1.1 AEROSTAT - AN AIRCRAFT LIGHTER THAN AIR. A FREE BALLOON - AN AEROSTAT
SUPPORTED STATICALLY IN THE AIR, WITH NO MEANS OF PROPULSION BY ANY POWER
SOURCE.
3.1.2 SUB-CLASS AX - FREE BALLOONS WHICH OBTAIN THEIR BUOYANCY SOLELY
AS A RESULT OF HEATING AIR. THE ENVELOPE MAY CONTAIN NO GASES OTHER THAN
AIR AND THE NORMAL PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION.
3.1.3 VENTS Vents which are designed to rotate or propel a balloon may
only be operated in flight, after all tasks are completed. Penalty : 250
to 500 task points.
Each balloon shall carry sufficient fuel to complete the flight with an adequate reserve. Lack of fuel to complete a flight shall not be grounds for protest.
Each competitor shall nominate the balloon he is to fly during the Event. No change of balloon may be made after the start of the first task briefing except as provided in these rules (3.5).
AEROSTATS FLOWN IN THE EVENT MUST HAVE CURRENT CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRATION AND AIRWORTHINESS, OR IN PLACE OF THE LATTER, AN EQUIVALENT DOCUMENT FROM THE RECOGNIZED AUTHORITY OF THE NATION CONCERNED. THE ORGANIZERS ARE EMPOWERED TO REJECT ANY AEROSTAT WHICH, IN THEIR OPINION, IS NOT OF A REASONABLE STANDARD OF AIRWORTHINESS.
3.5.1 If a balloon is damaged during the Event, it may be repaired.
Damaged components may be replaced or repaired, except that a complete
envelope may be replaced only at the discretion of the director.
3.5.2 Any damage to a balloon affecting its airworthiness must be reported
to the director before it is entered for a further task, and the balloon
may only be flown after approval of any repairs. Penalty : up to 1000
competition points.
3.6 AUTOMATIC FLIGHT CONTROLS S1 5.9.2
ANY DEVICE DESIGNED TO ACT AS AN AUTOMATIC FLIGHT CONTROL IS PROHIBITED, REGARDLESS OF THE SPECIFIC NATURE OF THE DEVICE.
Each balloon shall carry a serviceable altimeter which shall either be digital or be scaled with one complete revolution per 1000 ft and be adjustable for pressure setting. Any other altimeter must be of a similar type and approved by the director. The altimeter must be positioned such that it may easily be read in the basket.
The organizers will provide two banners which will be displayed on opposite sides of the basket during tasks. All crew vehicles, including trailers shall be clearly identified with competition numbers.
The term "basket" includes any crew or passenger compartment, regardless of its construction.
3.10.1 Retrieve crew shall not be within 100 m radius of a marker of
the competitor unless in the presence of an Official.
3.10.2 All vehicles used to aid the retrieval of a balloon shall be marked
with the competition number.
3.10.3 Retrieve vehicles shall not be parked within 100 m of a goal/target
set by the director or selected by the competitor.