916 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–19 Edition) 

§ 101.37 

are employed for terminating the 
flight of the balloon envelope; and 

(3) The balloon envelope is equipped 

with a radar reflective device(s) or ma-
terial that will present an echo to sur-
face radar operating in the 200 MHz to 
2700 MHz frequency range. 

The operator shall activate the appro-
priate devices required by paragraphs 
(a) (1) and (2) of this section when 
weather conditions are less than those 
prescribed for operation under this sub-
part, or if a malfunction or any other 
reason makes the further operation 
hazardous to other air traffic or to per-
sons and property on the surface. 

(b) No person may operate an un-

manned free balloon below 60,000 feet 
standard pressure altitude between 
sunset and sunrise (as corrected to the 
altitude of operation) unless the bal-
loon and its attachments and payload, 
whether or not they become separated 
during the operation, are equipped with 
lights that are visible for at least 5 
miles and have a flash frequency of at 
least 40, and not more than 100, cycles 
per minute. 

(c) No person may operate an un-

manned free balloon that is equipped 
with a trailing antenna that requires 
an impact force of more than 50 pounds 
to break it at any point, unless the an-
tenna has colored pennants or stream-
ers that are attached at not more than 
50 foot intervals and that are visible 
for at least one mile. 

(d) No person may operate between 

sunrise and sunset an unmanned free 
balloon that is equipped with a suspen-
sion device (other than a highly con-
spicuously colored open parachute) 
more than 50 feet along, unless the sus-
pension device is colored in alternate 
bands of high conspicuity colors or has 
colored pennants or streamers attached 
which are visible for at least one mile. 

(Sec. 6(c), Department of Transportation Act 
(49 U.S.C. 1655(c))) 

[Doc. No. 1457, 29 FR 47, Jan. 3, 1964, as 
amended by Amdt. 101–2, 32 FR 5254, Mar. 29, 
1967; Amdt. 101–4, 39 FR 22252, June 21, 1974] 

§ 101.37

Notice requirements. 

(a) 

Prelaunch notice: 

Except as pro-

vided in paragraph (b) of this section, 
no person may operate an unmanned 
free balloon unless, within 6 to 24 hours 

before beginning the operation, he 
gives the following information to the 
FAA ATC facility that is nearest to the 
place of intended operation: 

(1) The balloon identification. 
(2) The estimated date and time of 

launching, amended as necessary to re-
main within plus or minus 30 minutes. 

(3) The location of the launching site. 
(4) The cruising altitude. 
(5) The forecast trajectory and esti-

mated time to cruising altitude or 
60,000 feet standard pressure altitude, 
whichever is lower. 

(6) The length and diameter of the 

balloon, length of the suspension de-
vice, weight of the payload, and length 
of the trailing antenna. 

(7) The duration of flight. 
(8) The forecast time and location of 

impact with the surface of the earth. 

(b) For solar or cosmic disturbance 

investigations involving a critical time 
element, the information in paragraph 
(a) of this section shall be given within 
30 minutes to 24 hours before beginning 
the operation. 

(c) 

Cancellation notice: 

If the oper-

ation is canceled, the person who in-
tended to conduct the operation shall 
immediately notify the nearest FAA 
ATC facility. 

(d) 

Launch notice: 

Each person oper-

ating an unmanned free balloon shall 
notify the nearest FAA or military 
ATC facility of the launch time imme-
diately after the balloon is launched. 

§ 101.39

Balloon position reports. 

(a) Each person operating an un-

manned free balloon shall: 

(1) Unless ATC requires otherwise, 

monitor the course of the balloon and 
record its position at least every two 
hours; and 

(2) Forward any balloon position re-

ports requested by ATC. 

(b) One hour before beginning de-

scent, each person operating an un-
manned free balloon shall forward to 
the nearest FAA ATC facility the fol-
lowing information regarding the bal-
loon: 

(1) The current geographical position. 
(2) The altitude. 
(3) The forecast time of penetration 

of 60,000 feet standard pressure altitude 
(if applicable). 

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