Chinese Lanterns...

[clifftop]

Having tried and failed to spot the recent Perseid Meteor Shower...

I was surprised at the amount of Chinese Lanterns being launched...

Now, these are launched, obviously, at night....

but, do they present either a hazard to aircraft or a confusion to ATC?

[Deleted]

I don't think they get high enough (even where we live) to cause any real problems, but I gather that there have been a lot of' 'UFO sightings' as a result of them being launched at parties/barbecues/birthdays etc.

[Monvillez]

They can get up to 3000 feet so I would imagine they pose a danger to aircraft making final approaches or in lower airspace. Having said that their construction is very lightweight and would cause little damage to body or engines.

NATS do issue NOTAM's about their release (providing they have been informed).

Regards,
Garry