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CHAPTER 10 - FLIGHT RULES
10.1 RATE OF CLIMB
10.2 RIGHT OF WAY
10.3 CLEARING GOAL / TARGET AREA
10.4 DROPPING OBJECTS
10.5 BEHAVIOUR
10.6 LIVESTOCK & CROPS
10.7 LANDOWNER
10.8 COLLISION
10.9 FLIGHT CREW AND PASSENGERS
10.10 GROUND CREW
10.11 DRIVING
10.12 DISEMBARKATION
10.13 ASSISTANCE (GPS radio nav assistance)
10.14 AIR LAW
10.15 RECALL PROCEDURE
A competitor shall not initiate or maintain a fast climb unless he is certain that no higher balloon is in his ascent path. Recommended maximum climb rate in congested areas is 300 ft/minute. Penalty for infraction : 300 to 500 comp. points.
A competitor is responsible for avoiding collision between the non-fabric parts of his balloon and the envelope of another balloon. When two balloons are converging in flight, the pilot of the higher balloon shall give way and shall climb if necessary to avoid collision. In case of collision, both competitors may be penalized, not necessarily by the same amount.
10.3 CLEARING GOAL/TARGET AREA
A competitor who has dropped his marker shall clear the vicinity of the goal as quickly as reasonably possible.
No objects may be dropped from the balloon except for official markers, or small pieces of paper or similar lightweight materials for navigational purposes.
Competitors are required to fly with proper consideration for persons and livestock on the ground and to follow good landowner relations étiquette or code of conduct when provided. Inconsiderate behaviour by competitors or crew members, or reckless flying, may be penalized up to 1000 competition points.
Balloons shall not fly closer than 500 feet from livestock or buildings containing livestock. Competitors and crews must not damage crops unless given permission by the landowner or person responsible for the crop. Penalty : up to 1000 competition points.
In theses rules the term "landowner" means the person who is responsible for any crop or livestock on the land, not necessarily the legal owner of the land itself.
A competitor whose balloon is in collision with power or telephone wires or their supports, at any time between inflation and completion of final landing will be penalized up to 500 competition points.
10.9 FLIGHT CREW AND PASSENGERS
10.9.1 Competitors may be required to perform a particular flight solo.
Otherwise a competitor is permitted to carry other crew during a flight,
and they may perform any duties he wishes to assign to them, except to
act as pilot-in command.
10.9.2 Competitors carrying crew or passenger during a solo task shall
be scored in Group C.
Each competitor shall ensure that he has sufficient crew to operate his balloon and retrieve vehicle. He shall ensure that all those involved with his balloon are adequately briefed on safety. A competitor is responsible for all the actions of his crew during an event.
Vehicles must be driven safely during the retrieve and comply with local driving laws. Penalty up to 500 competition points.
No person may enter or leave the basket between take-off and final landing (except as in 11.1.3).
The use of handling lines or any handling assistance from persons on the ground is forbidden during flight. Use of GPS, radio assistance for navigational purposes from the ground is forbidden. Penalty is up to 1 000 task points.
Infringements of air law which do not contravene the rules of the Event or provide competition advantage will not be penalized by the director except in cases of damage, disturbance or reasonable complaint from persons not connected with the Event.
This procedure will be announced at the General Briefing.