NEWS:
29 August 2012
'Help with EASA AD 2012-0142 Compliance'.
EASA have recently published a new Airworthiness Directive (AD) which is directed to hot air balloons
(virtually all EASA balloons are affected). It is EASA AD No 2012-01242.
This AD is mandatory, so must be complied with.
It requires compliance
within 30 days of the applicable date
(of 17 August 2012). So, if it has not been checked and the applicable logbook entries made by
16 September 2012, then the balloon may not be considered legally airworthy.
The AD concerns the possible failure of a number of Rego female connectors supplied by Lindstrand Balloons. As such, in practice, for most balloons the relevant parts will not be fitted, so no work or rectification will be required.
But because the AD itself is directed to (essentially) all EASA balloons, then they will all require a check and logbook entry to verify that the AD has been complied with and is not applicable in that particular case. To comply with this AD, your balloon and paperwork must be checked by a suitably approved subpart F organisation (an inspector, in other words).
In almost all cases, this will only involve a check to make sure the affected parts are not fitted, following which the appropriate logbook entries may be made.
We are delighted that inspectors from all 3 UK CAMOs will be available at the meet to do this check and make the appropriate logbook entry.
'Latest from Grass Roots HQ'.
Well, a year certainly goes fast, and as the combines finish their work it must mean that Grass Roots is just round the corner. In fact it's nearly here!!
Our first attempt is the weekend 7-9 September.
We'll email everyone who has registered their interest on the 5th September to notify you whether or not the meet will go ahead based on the met forecast, or be postponed to the next suitable weekend.
As with previous years Tim Wilkinson and family at Sackville Lodge will spend huge amounts of effort looking after everyone - sorting out food, gas, toilets etc so everyone has a good time.
Many pilots have already registered but we never turn anyone away - we expect all Chiltern Region members to support this event especially as its on your doorstep.
If you intend to participate but haven't yet registered please advise Rob Cross (robxballoon@hotmail.com).
We welcome all pilots and PUTs. Every year considerable effort is made to help with training, including 'tether school' and training and instructor flights. Every year someone checks out - who will it be this year??!
There is plenty of social activity with the NFU sponsored marquee being the social hub of the event.
This year, for all the model balloon pilots at there Steve Cook is also running a model balloon meet alongside the big balloons.
This is the only meet that goes ahead regardless of the weather - last year the poor weather meant that we had to postpone to October but we still had 50 teams attend!
See you at Sackville!!
End News