Traditional ballooning motion picture
activities include air to ground transfers, air to
surface vehicles
or persons, rappelling, parachuting, long line and
many other scenarios where essential personnel may
be required
outside of the balloon basket or gondola.
Stunt persons and camera operators are often called
upon to stand outside of or hang from the basket
or gondola,
cargo hooks, trapeze devices, bungee cords, cables,
ladders, long lines, etc.
Safe completion of these
operations require the complete understanding and
coordination of all parties involved,
i.e. the Aerial Coordinator and/or Pilot in Command,
the Designated Production Representative, Stunt
Persons, Stunt Riggers, Balloon Riggers, Special Effets
and
Grip Riggers, and essential ground crew. In performing
these
types of operations the following guidelines should
be used:
- The Pilot in Command is at all times the final
authority over his/her balloon and shall be in command
over his/hers flight operations and/or related activities.
The Pilot in Command and/or Aerial Coordinator shall
have the authority to abort any flight operation
in the interest of safety.
- Risk Management
Participants will conduct a thorough evaluation of
the operations to be conducted and the potential
risks to essential personnel, if any.
- Personnel Involved
Aerial Coordinators and/or Pilot in Command (Waiver
Holder), essential personnel to be flown, stunt
persons, balloon rigging, safety and production
personnel.
- Briefing
Briefings will be conducted by the Aerial Coordinator
and/or Pilot in Command (Waiver Holder) specific
to the scheduled balloon external load operations
and in compliance with the approved Motion Picture
Operations Manual, briefing provisions.
- Communication
Communication must exist at all times between the
Pilot in Command, stunt person(s), camera operator
and the essential personnel being flown. This Can
be accomplished through the use of radios, intercoms
or pre-briefed had signals.
Additionally, in the event of lost communications
the pilot must be able to maintain visual contact
with the stunt person or camera operator. If visual
contact cannot be maintained, then a third party
who can maintain visual contact will be use.
This person may be onboard the balloon, on the ground,
or in a chase aircraft.
- Attaching Methods and Devices
Belts, harnesses, cables and safety lines will be
attached to existing balloon basket or gondola
hard points, cargo tie down points, basket or gondola
bridles, or other suitable basket or gondola locations.
Attaching devices, cables, carabineers, braided nylon,
climbing rope, nylon straps, steel clevises, body
harnesses, etc. are normally provided by the motion
picture special effects and stunt personnel.
All of the above devices have load ratings established
by the manufacturer in compliance with various industry
and government specifications and established Motion
Picture Safety Guidelines.
Note: A person will never be attached to a load release
device.
- Weight and Balance
Due to the nature of balloon external loads involving
essential persons or equipment, diligent review
and compliance with the manufacturer’s maximum
weight data is required.
This can also be accomplished through consultation
with pilots having previous experience with similar
balloon configuration or through a flight evaluation.
- Pilot Check List
A. Balloon
1. Load bearing capacity and method of securing of
all attaching devices related to the external load.
2. Verification of load bearing capacity and anticipated
loads on the basket or gondola attach points to be
utilized.
3. Accomplish Weight and Balance of the external
load, including, if necessary, the possible release
or departure of the external load.
B. Personnel
1. Verify that only essential personnel are onboard
the balloon.
2. Confirm with essential personnel specific duties
and responsibilities.
3. Verify all communications and check audio and/or
hand signals.
4. Review emergency procedures specific to the external
load operation with all essential personnel.
5. Review any potential risk factor, if any, with
the essential personnel.
6. No essential personnel may participate in airplane
external load operations unless they have read, understood,
and agreed to comply with the conditions of the Waiver
Holders, Certificate of Waiver and its special provisions,
if any.
- Parachutes
If parachutes are to be used, they must be of an
FAA approved type and must have been packed and
certified within the preceding 120 days.
While wearing a parachute the stunt person must not
be attached to the balloon.
An accidental parachute opening while attached to
the balloon could have serious negative effect on
the aircraft and parachutist.
- Rappelling
A. Pilot Qualifications:
Qualifications on the basis of previous experience
and safety record, or an actual flight demonstrating
the pilot’s knowledge and skill regarding rappelling
operations.
B. Rappellers Qualifications:
1. Rappellers and Spotters (Stunt Persons) will be
required to demonstrate their ability during required
familiarization flights.
2. The Waiver Holder and/or Pilot will have the authority
to withhold approval of any rappeller or spotter (stunt
person).
- Rappelling Special Provisions:
The Pilot in Command (Waiver Holder) has the authority
to cancel or delete any activity or event, if in
their opinion, the safety of persons, or property
on the ground or in the air is at risk, or if there
is a contravention to the provisions of the Motion
Picture Waiver.
Rappelling Equipment:
1. Rope size appropriate to the rappel (friction)
device being used, will be required for all rappel
operations.
2. Rope strength for each specific load, a safety
factor of 10:1 between the strength of the weakest
piece of attaching equipment and the load to be carried
will be utilized.
3. The absolute minimum tensile strength of any rappel
rope will be 5000 lbs. Tested to NFPA and/or other
regulatory standards.
4. Ropes will have a rubber jacket or other appropriate
edge protection to give protection on basket or gondola
edges when using basket or gondola attach points.
5. Carabineers, steel or aluminum must have a minimum
tensile strength of 5000 lbs., be of a locking type
and be tested to NFPA and/or other regulatory standards.
6. Cutting devices, knifes, cable cutters, etc. shall
be sufficient to cut any attaching device will be
provided to the spotter or safety person(s) for use
in an emergency.
7. Rappel ropes will have a minimum of two (2) attach
points per rope with test strengths greater than
or equal to 5000 lbs. per rappeller.
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