Category: News

Part BOP is applicable to ALL balloonists!

Part BOP BAS is for all balloonist the new Operations law and Part BOP ADD is compulsory for all commercial balloonpilots and Operators. The structure of this new handboor for all balloonist is not difficult to understand.

The big issue is that you must adhere to these rules as of today April 8th 2019. If you are a commercial operator you must read Part BOP ADD. You must have an Operations Manual and a Management Manual possibly combined.

Most of what Part BOP explaines you will already have in place we assume. In some EU countries this is compusary and other have made handbooks that are not very different form Part BOP.  

We recommend that every pilot and every Operator reeds the tekst of the two sections and make sure you have your paperwork in order. 

If you have any questions please contact the European Ballooniong Federation (kaa@ballooning-federation.eu ) 

The link to the full version of part BOP can be found in: (pls start at page 18!) https://www.easa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/dfu/Balloon%20Rule%20Book.pdf

On September 14th EASA published the AMC and GM (Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material) for the Declared Training Organisation DTO.

As you will remember EASA had planned to have the Training of balloon pilots in the Approved Training Organisation (ATO). We as the European Ballooning Federation have together with others objected to the complexity of the ATO for ballooning. We have been part of a working group on behalf of all balloonists to symplify the training organisation. We have been succesful in writing the Declared Training Organiosation (DTO) We now have a Europe wide less complex system as compared to the ATO but in some countries still more complex that you have today.

The rules of the DTO can be found under: https://www.easa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/dfu/Annex%20I%20to%20ED%20Decision%202018-009-R%20%28AMC%20%26%20GM%20to%20Part-DTO%29%20.pdf

You can also find the introduction of EASA to the new DTO structure under: https://www.easa.europa.eu/node/46126

If you have any questions pls contact EBF.

We would like to keep you up to date on the latest developments regarding new legislation being prepared at EASA. As we all know the Operations laws and regulations will enter into force as at April 8th 2019. All commercial activities will have to be declared by that date and all operators big or small will have to have an Operations and Management Manual. Please make sure that you have that in place by April 8th of next year. You can read what is needed in the AMC (Acceptable Means of Compliance) of Part BOP (https://www.easa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/dfu/Balloon%20Rule%20Book.pdf )

During the 6 monthly EASA GA Com meeting, where EBF is represented, the new Balloon FCL was discussed and the latest proposals presented. There will be a written procedure for all National Aviaton Authorities to respond to the proposals. After the written procedure the proposals will be presented at the EASA Committee meeting in februari 2019. The new legislation will be in force April 8th 2020.

Attached the presentation that summarises the situation as of today. Please bear in mind that this is a final proposal and not yet legislation. Thing will change! In order to keep you informed about the progress that is being made we attach the presentation (amended).

If there are any questions or suggestions pls contact kaa@ballooning-federation.eu or one of the board members.

Having been involved in many meetings about EASA rulemaking we are now in a position to give you some new information.

New Basic Regulation

New Basic Regulation on common rules in the field of civil aviation will replace the current EU.216/2008 – see https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1535746700163&uri=CELEX:32018R1139. Here you also can find the regulation in your own language.

For balloon operators there is little direct change. All balloons under 42.000 ft³ will fall outside EASA and are governed by National Law. This should make it easier to get approval for new aircraft and parts. It has become clear that for some current NAA – National Aviation Authority-work a Qualified Entity can take over the NAA tasks. It also states that NAAs should actively promote aerial sports and other flying.

We are currently working on a paper making clear all differences between the old Basic Regulations and the new.

Declared Training Organisation

The final publication was made of the DTO ( Declared Training Organisation) as replacement for the ATO (Approved Training Organization) earlier this month. Declaration for new Training Organisations can be made early in September this year. The lack of complexity and operating ease of the DTO will be welcomed by many and the administrative ATO will no longer be needed for ballooning and light aircraft and sailplanes. The full text can be found at the EASA site https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1535746892364&uri=CELEX:32018R1119

Balloon Flight Crew Licensing

Part BAC has now been renamed as Part B.FCL Balloon Flight Crew Licensing.

We have had the final meeting in June during which all NAA’s and other parties could make their opinions known. We are now processing the comments and hope to be ready by the end of the year. Introduction April 8th 2020.

Balloon Operations

As we have published before Part BOP will enter into force at April 8th 2019. All commercial balloonists will have to prepare for this and hand in the DECLARATION as of that date. Please note that you cannot operate a balloon commercially without have made the declaration to your NAA.

European Balloon Federation (EBF) held its annual general meeting on 15 May 2018 in Tielrode (Belgium).

Read the minutes of the meeting here: http://www.ballooning-federation.eu/sample-page/agm-2018-may-15/

EASA have published all of our good work regarding Part BOP. The framework of the Balloon Rulebook is also ready for the next publications – click on the image 😀

Part BAC Balloon Aircrew (Former FCL) is now entering the final discussion phase with EASA and we will have our last comments ready by the end of this month.

EBF executive committee are really happy to announce the publication of the OPS BALLOON rules, also called “BOP”, as “Ballon Operations”.

See the rules here: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32018R0395

Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) and Guidance Material (GM) will soon follow.

Dear Members,

The results of our efforts are taking shape in this beginning of 2018:

The “balloon book” is becoming a reality: all balloon rules will be assembled in one numeric document, so that it is easy for balloonists and operators to find answers to all questions. The rulebook will contain all rules and regulations regarding the topics relevant to balloonists in the EU. Part BOP (Balloon Operations for commercial and noncommercial flights) Part BAC Balloon Air Crew (containing all rules and regulations on licenses, licensing, currency and recency) Part DTO can be added (Rules on Training organizations).

Part OPS: No more AOC but a simple declaration. This has been approved, voted by the EC, and will start to be in force in 2019. The rules are no longer copied from powered aero plane, but adapted to ballooning and therefore allow more security together with less (but still some) administrative complexity.

Training: The “DTO” (Declared Training Organization” ) is also approved, and member states are starting to implement it. It is also based on the declaration principle, which means that training organizations may start to operate without prior authorization. But of course, they need a training program and facilities. 1 person DTO is admitted. Starting date for fixed wing and helicopters 2018 for balloons and gliders 2019/2020 depending on how far you are in the process.

FCL (licences): An EBF lead task force, chaired by Paul Spellward from UK, has started last year to establish the new frame for European licences. The expert work is now achieved, and it is time for approval from the EASA committee and the EC. Implementing date anticipated april 2020.

I would like to thank the people who work a lot for the whole balloonists community: Karel Abbenes, Jan Andersen, Philippe de Cock, Jean Donnet, Phil Dunnington, and Paul Spellward.

Yours sincerely,

Patricia Lamy
EBF President