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CHAPTER 9 - LAUNCH PROCEDURES
9.1 COMMON LAUNCH AREA(S)
9.2 INDIVIDUAL LAUNCH AREAS
9.3 LANDOWNER'S PERMISSION
9.4 VEHICLES
9.5 LATE VEHICLES
9.6 PREPARATION OF BALLOONS (quick-release
tie-off)
9.7 COLD INFLATION
9.8 SIGNALS POINT
9.9 LAUNCH SIGNALS
9.10 PUBLIC ADDRESS
9.11 LAUNCH PERIOD
9.12 ADEQUATE TIME
9.13 EXTENSION OF TIME
9.14 LAUNCHING ORDER
9.15 READINESS FOR TAKE-OFF
9.16 OBSTRUCTION
9.17 TAKE-OFF PERMISSION
9.18 LOSS OF CONTROL
9.19 TAKE-OFF (S1 3.2.6.2 3.2.6.6)
9.20 VALID TAKE-OFF
9.21 ABORTED TAKE-OFF
9.22 CLEARING LAUNCH AREA
9.1.1 One or more areas defined by the organiser and used when the task
requires all competitors to launch from a common area. A pilot taking
off outside the prescribed launch area will not achieve a result in that
task.
9.1.2 The COMMON LAUNCH POINT (CLP) is a point in or near the launch area,
physically marked on the ground before the beginning of the Event, from
which all angles and distances are measured, irrespective of the take-off
points of individual balloons.
9.2.1 Individual launch fields selected by the competitors. The
boundaries of the launch site is a circle of 100 m radius from the individual
launch point, or the physical boundary of the field if closer.
9.2.2 In tasks where competitors select their own Launch sites, the INDIVIDUAL
LAUNCH POINT (ILP) is the position of the burner at the start of hot inflation.
Competitors must ensure permission has been obtained from the landowner or occupiers before driving onto, or launching from any land which is enclosed or cultivated or apparently private or used for agricultural purposes. Penalty for infringement is up to 250 task points.
9.4.1 Not more than one vehicle per balloon may be present in the launch
area during the launch period. Penalty : 100 task points.
9.4.2 Vehicles must be driven at suitably reduced speeds within the launch
area. The safety officer and the launchmasters may bar from the area any
vehicle that is driven inconsiderately. (Penalty up to 200 task points).
No vehicle may enter the launch area after the advance yellow warning
flag has been raised except by permission of the launchmaster. Penalty
: 100 task points.
9.6.1 The launchmaster will allocate to each competitor a space in which
to prepare and inflate his balloon. He has the authority to regulate the
operation of all balloons and vehicles on the launch area. Penalty is
up to 200 task points.
9.6.2 Quick-release tie-offs must be used for all balloons inflating in
a common launch area and are recommended in individual launch sites.
Burners may be briefly tested and cold air may be introduced into envelopes
for rigging and inspection, but before permission for hot inflation has
been given, there must be no hot inflation, no use of powered fans and
no part of the envelope fabric may be more than two meters off the ground.
Fans may be tested or used before the launch period until a flag of any
colour has been raised.
One or more point at the launch area at which flag signals are displayed
and competitor's task declarations, late entries and supplementary briefings
take place. Competitors are responsible for keeping observation on the
signals point, and its obscuring shall not be grounds for complaint.
9.9.1 Coloured flags shall have the following meanings when displayed
at the signals point.
- RED No take-off permitted. Any previous permission to take-off cancelled.
- GREEN Permission to all balloons to begin hot inflation
- BLUE Permission to blue wave (odd numbered balloons) to begin hot inflation.
- WHITE Permission to white wave (even numbered balloons) to begin hot
inflation.
- YELLOW Five minute warning PINK Supplementary or amended briefing information
available.
- BLACK Task cancelled
- VIOLET Reserve : meaning as declared at task briefing.
9.9.2 An audible signal may be given to draw attention to changes of flag signals.
Unless the director has specified at the flight briefing that the public address will be used, any information given over the public address system is of no effect for competition purposes.
Take-off
may not be made before the launch period. Any take-off made after the
launch period, except under Rule 9.14, will be subject to a penalty of
100 task points per minute or part minute late.
For launches from a common launch area, the yellow warning flag
will be raised 5 or more minutes before the end of the launch period.
A competitor who is given permission to begin hot inflation 20 or more minutes before the end of the launch period is deemed to have adequate time, even if the launch period is curtailed for any reason.
A competitor may request an extension of time from the launchmaster. The launchmaster may grant an extension if he is satisfied that the competitor was delayed by the action of Officials or other competitors, or by other causes outside his control (equipment malfunction excluded).
Balloons may be allotted an order of priority for inflation, which will be rotated from one task to the next. Competitors may commence hot inflation according to the flag signal or when given individual permission by a launchmaster.
When a competitor is completely ready for take-off, and has positive buoyancy, he should wave a white flag to indicate his readiness to the launchmaster. When the launchmaster has acknowledged this signal, the competitor should leave the flag displayed on the edge of the basket and await further instructions while maintaining his readiness to take off. The launchmaster will, as far as possible, launch balloons in the order of signaling their readiness. Competitors should equip themselves with a suitable white flag about 50 cm square for this purpose.
Once his balloon is fully inflated a competitor may not unnecessarily remain in position where his balloon obstructs another.
9.17.1 The
launchmaster will give each competitor permission to take-off with the
words "On my sign, number ... clear to take-off". The competitor may then
take-off at will, subject to any instructions from the launchmaster at
the time. This permission does not relieve the competitor of complete
responsibility for his take-off, including adequate lift to clear obstacles
and other balloons, and to continue safely in flight. A pilot taking off
without permission may be penalized up to 500 task points.
9.17.2 If the balloon does not take off within 30 seconds, permission
to take off may be cancelled by the launchmaster.
A competitor losing control of his balloon shall deflate immediately or take appropriate action.
9.19 TAKE-OFF S1 3.2.6.2, 3.2.6.6
THE POINT AND/OR TIME AT WHICH ALL PARTS OF AN AEROSTAT OR ITS CREW CEASE TO BE IN CONTACT WITH - OR CONNECTED - TO THE GROUND OR WATER.
A balloon is considered to have taken off and to be flying the task if it passes over the boundary of any launch area.
9.21.1 A
balloon is considered to have taken off and to be flying the task if it
passes over the boundary of the launch area or launch site. A competitor
may abort his take-off for safety reasons but must avoid the obstruction
of other balloons. He may attempt a further take-off inside the launch
period.
9.21.2 At a common launch area he must inflate in his originally allocated
space, except by permission of the launchmaster, and must again obtain
permission to take off.
Within three minutes of his basket first leaving the ground a competitor shall have passed over the boundary of the launch area or shall have climbed to 500 feet above ground level. He shall not re-enter the launch area below 500 ft before the end of the launch period or all balloons have taken off, whichever is earlier.