Codes and Standards

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Chapter 12. Marking and Lighting Moored Balloons and Kites

120. PURPOSE.

The purpose of marking and lighting moored balloons, kites, and their cables or mooring lines is to indicate the presence and general definition of these objects to pilots when converging from any normal angle of approach.

121. STANDARDS.

These marking and lighting standards pertain to all moored balloons and kites which require marking and lighting under FAR Part 101.

122. MARKING.

Flag markers should be used on mooring lines to warn pilots of their presence during daylight hours.

a. Display. Markers should be displayed at no more than 50-foot (15m) intervals and should be visible for at least 1 statute mile.

b. Shape. Markers should be rectangular in shape and not less than 2 feet (0.6m) on a side. Stiffeners should be used in the borders so as to expose a large area, prevent drooping in calm wind, or wrapping around the cable.

c. Color Patterns. One of the following color patterns should be used:

1. Solid Color. Aviation orange.

2. Ormlge and Wh/te. Two Iriangular sections, one of aviation orange and the other white, combined to form a rectangle.

123. LIGHTING.

Flashing obstruction lights should be used on moored balloons or kites and their mooring lines to warn pilots of their presence during the hours between sunset and sunrise and during periods of reduced visibility. These lights may be operated 24 hours a day.

a, Systems. Flashing red (L--864) or white beacons (L--865) may be used to light moored balloons or kites. High intensity lights (L--856) are not recommended.

b. Display. Flashing lights should be displayed on the top, nose section, tail section, and on the tether cable approximately 15 feet (4.6m) below the craft so as to define the extremes of size and shape. Additional lights should be equally spaced along the cable's overall length for each 350 feet (107m) or fraction thereof.

c. Exceptions. When the requirements of this paragraph cannot be met, floodlighting may be used. (See paragraph 45.)

124. OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS.

The light intensity is controlled by a device that changes the intensity when the ambient light changes. The system should automatically mm the lights on and change intensities as ambient light conditions change. The reverse order should apply in changing from nighttime to daytime operation. The lights should flash simultaneously.

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