Notify Airport if you are setting off Chinese Lant

[speedbird1960]

Would it be nessarcerry to inform your local Airport if you setting off Chinese Lanterns.
I found this NOTAM on this subject.

H5455/10 NOTAMN
Q) EGTT/QWLLW/IV/M /AW/000/025/5333N00216W002
A) EGCC B) 1101082100 C) 1101082200
E) RELEASE OF 20 SKY LANTERNS ACTIVITY WI 2NM RADIUS 5333N 00216W
(WHITEFIELD, MANCHESTER) 11-01-0004/AS 2.
F) SFC G) 2500FT AMSL
CREATED: 23 Dec 2010 12:25:00
The full page is here: www.ourairports.com/airports/EGCC/pilot-info.html



Also i note from this article that large fireworks have been banned on MAN flightpaths.
menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1366846_chinese_lanterns_could_bring_down_a_jet

I have not heard of this before, it makes you wonder how well the general public have been informed about this. As Chinese Lanterns have been banned in other Countries, it makes me think when will it happen here.

[denim402]

Only a few months ago,, possibly 4 at least,, I observed a medium sized helium kids party balloon narrowly missing a small aircraft on the glide-slope, ILS etc etc - as it decended over Hale for 2.7.. I was allerted to the incident while listening to the airband radio. The pilot of said light aircraft notified the tower that he had just missed a small balloon over Hale Village..
This took place one weekend and about 100/200 meters from our house in the center of the village!!
Seriously,, something like this needs to be addressed, in such areas!?

[viscount]

It is not just balloons/Chinese Lanterns, the Flying of Kites near airports is also a risk to aircraft. There are legal powers within the Air Navigation Orders, which strictly bans flying kites within a fair radius of aerodromes - however I've never known this enforced, and I'm quite sure the public flying kites on the beaches around RAF Valley are in total ignorance of the rules.

[speedbird1960]

Here's another problem that Chinese Lanterns cause, false alarms for the coast gaurd.

www.beercoastguard.org/cc.asp

And this article goes into a lot of detail about even more problems they cause.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/magazine-11265560

[superian]

On the instructions for the use of Chinese Lanterns that I've seen, it specificaly says NOT to be used within 5mls of an airport.
Ian.

[Biggles]

The box I have also states not to release them near to the coast and to notify the coast guard. Common sense most of it but having said that, that`s is the problem.

[Deleted]

Dec 28, 2010 0:17:20 GMT 1 viscount said:

It is not just balloons/Chinese Lanterns, the Flying of Kites near airports is also a risk to aircraft. There are legal powers within the Air Navigation Orders, which strictly bans flying kites within a fair radius of aerodromes - however I've never known this enforced, and I'm quite sure the public flying kites on the beaches around RAF Valley are in total ignorance of the rules.

Not quite as restrictive as it used to be. You can now fly a kite in the Aerodrome Traffic Zone up to 30m above ground level without permission or without informing anyone.

You can also fly a kite up to 60m above ground level outside these areas without permission from the CAA.

Legislation relating to small helium balloons only applies to numbers over 1000.

As for Chinese Lanterns, while nothing specifically relates to them I am sure that if required article 137 Endangering Aircraft could be invoked as has been with persons letting off fireworks in the vicinity of aircraft, or articles 221 or 221 which relate to the display of lights that are liable to endanger, dazzle or distract.

[Deleted]

Published very recently

www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP736.PDF

[speedbird1960]

Feb 11, 2011 20:03:12 GMT 1 @olbanjoplayer said:

Published very recently

www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP736.PDF

Thanks olbanjoplayer.
After reading the regulations regarding Sky Lanterns, it looks to me that if anyone releasing even one Sky Lantern must
contact ATC.
If anyone releases more than ten, they should contact the CAA.

This is the relavant section from the document.
"CAA / Directorate of Airspace Policy

CAP 736 / Operation of Directed Light, Fireworks, Toy Balloons and Sky Lanterns within UK Airspace

Chapter 3 Light1 (Temporary) and Firework Displays, and
Helium-Filled Toy Balloons and Sky Lanterns Release Guidelines


5 Guidelines for Helium-Filled Toy Balloon and Sky Lantern Releases

5.1 While the geographical zone described in paragraph 2.1a) and b) above does not apply
for helium-filled toy balloon or sky lantern releases, the CAA will usually consider
placing restrictions upon the request for such releases as follows:

a) within five nautical miles of an aerodrome for helium-filled toy balloons; and
b) ten nautical miles or less from an aerodrome for sky lanterns.
NOTE: All applications are considered on their individual merit.

7 Additional Guidelines for Sky Lanterns

7.1 The following guidelines are to be observed for the release of sky lanterns:

a) Any individual or group releasing more than ten sky lanterns should contact the
CAA prior to release.

b) Any individual or group releasing ten sky lanterns or less at a release site ten
nautical miles or less from an airfield – the EO should contact the ATC organisation
of that airfield.

c) Any individual or group releasing ten sky lanterns or less at a release site more than
ten nautical miles from the nearest airfield – contact with the CAA/ATC is not
required.
d) Sky lanterns are not to be tied together.

7.2 If the sky lantern release is planned to take place on or near the coast, the EO should
pass all the relevant details to their local HM Coastguard prior to the event.

NOTE: On contacting the airspace specialist within the CAA he/she will offer details of ATC
Units likely to be affected by any notified sky lantern event. The provision of such
details does not absolve any EO from identifying any local airfields affected by the
proposed event and is not to be taken as a complete list."

Mike / Speedbird