5.1. Pre-flight notification

5.1.1.  Early notification of the intended flight of an unmanned free balloon in the medium or heavy category shall be made to the appropriate air traffic services unit not less than seven days before the date of the intended flight.

5.1.2.  Notification of the intended flight shall include such of the following information as may be required by the appropriate air traffic services unit:

(a)  balloon flight identification or project code name;

(b)  balloon classification and description;

(c)  SSR code, aircraft address or NDB frequency as applicable;

(d)  operator’s name and telephone number;

(e)  launch site;

(f)  estimated time of launch (or time of commencement and completion of multiple launches);

(g)  number of balloons to be launched and the scheduled interval between launches (if multiple launches);

(h)  expected direction of ascent;

(i)  cruising level(s) (pressure-altitude);

(j)  the estimated elapsed time to pass 18000 m (60000 ft) pressure-altitude or to reach cruising level if at or below 18000 m (60000 ft), together with the estimated location. If the operation consists of continuous launchings, the time to be included shall be the estimated time at which the first and the last in the series will reach the appropriate level (e.g. 122136Z–130330Z);

(k)  the estimated date and time of termination of the flight and the planned location of the impact/recovery area. In the case of balloons carrying out flights of long duration, as a result of which the date and time of termination of the flight and the location of impact cannot be forecast with accuracy, the term ‘long duration’ shall be used. If there is to be more than one location of impact/recovery, each location shall be listed together with the appropriate estimated time of impact. If there is to be a series of continuous impacts, the time to be included shall be the estimated time of the first and the last in the series (e.g. 070330Z–072300Z).

5.1.3.  Any changes in the pre-launch information notified in accordance with point 5.1.2 shall be forwarded to the ATS unit concerned not less than 6 hours before the estimated time of launch, or in the case of solar or cosmic disturbance investigations involving a critical time element, not less than 30 minutes before the estimated time of the commencement of the operation.

5.2. Notification of launch

5.2.1.  Immediately after a medium or heavy unmanned free balloon is launched the operator shall notify the appropriate air traffic services unit of the following:

(a)  balloon flight identification;

(b)  launch site;

(c)  actual time of launch;

(d)  estimated time at which 18000 m (60000 ft) pressure-altitude will be passed, or the estimated time at which the cruising level will be reached if at or below 18000 m (60000 ft), and the estimated location; and

(e)  any changes to the information previously notified in accordance with 5.1.2(g) and (h).

5.3. Notification of cancellation

5.3.1.  The operator shall notify the appropriate air traffic services unit immediately it is known that the intended flight of a medium or heavy unmanned free balloon, previously notified in accordance with paragraph 5.1, has been cancelled.