Air Tour Operators
SUBPART F –BALLOON REQUIREMENTSp.1
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§ 115.123 Prohibition Against Carriage of Weapons.p.2
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§ 115.135 Transport of Dangerous Goods.p.3
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§ 115.1 Applicability.p.4
Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, this part prescribes rules governing— (a) The domestic commercial operations of manned balloons that hold or are required to hold a Balloon Operator Certificate (BOC) under General Authority of Civil Aviation Regulation (GACA) Part 115;
(b) Each person employed or used by a certificate holder conducting operations under this part; (c) Each person who is onboard a balloon being operated under this part; and (d) Each person who is an applicant for a BOC under GACAR Part 115 with authorization from the President.
(e) The President may authorize temporary relief from certain sections of this part for the purpose of ferrying, training, positioning, maintenance, or other special purposes provided the certificate holder demonstrates to the President that the operation can be conducted with an acceptable level of safety in accordance with specified limitations and conditions.
§ 115.3 Certifications, Authorizations, and Prohibitions.p.4
(a) A person authorized by the President to conduct operations as a commercial operator under GACAR Part 115 will be issued a BOC with a set of operations specifications for operations under GACAR Part 115.
(b) A certificate holder must conduct operations in compliance with the requirements for the kind of operation conducted and the appropriate authorizations, limitations, and procedures specified in the operations specifications for each kind of operation.
(c) No person may operate an aircraft under GACAR Part 115 in violation of a BOC, or appropriate operations specifications issued. No person may operate as a commercial operator in violation of any exemption or special authority, if issued to that person or that person’s representative.
(d) No person may operate as a commercial operator under this part without holding appropriate economic authority from GACA. (e) No person may advertise or otherwise offer to perform an operation subject to this part unless that person is authorized by the President to conduct that operation.
§ 115.5 Operations Specifications.p.5
Each certificate holder’s operations specifications must contain— (a) The authorizations, limitations, and certain procedures under which each kind of operation, if applicable, is to be conducted and (b) Certain other procedures under which each class of aircraft is to be operated.
§ 115.7 Use of Business Names.p.5
(a) A certificate holder under this part must not operate an aircraft under GACAR Part 115 using a business name other than a business name appearing in the certificate holder’s operations specifications.
(b) No person may operate a balloon unless the business name of the certificate holder who is operating the aircraft is legibly displayed on the balloon and is clearly visible and readable from the outside of the balloon to a person standing on the ground at any time except during flight time.
The means of displaying the business name on the balloon and its readability must be acceptable to the President. (c) No certificate holder may operate a wet leased balloon under GACAR Part 115 unless the business name of the lessor is legibly displayed on the aircraft and is clearly visible and readable from the outside of the balloon to a person standing on the ground at any time except during flight time. The means of displaying the business name on the balloon and its readability must be acceptable to the President.
§ 115.9 Applicability.p.6
This subpart sets out certification requirements and prescribes the content of operations specifications and certain other requirements for commercial operations.
§ 115.11 General Requirements.p.6
A person may not operate as a commercial operator unless that person— (a) Is a citizen of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, (b) Maintains a principal base of operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and (c) Obtains a BOC.
§ 115.13 Certificate Application Requirements for All Commercial Operators.p.6
(a) A person applying to the President for a BOC under this part must submit an application— (1) In a form and manner prescribed by the President and (2) Containing any information the President requires the applicant to submit.
(b) Each applicant must submit the application to the President at least 90 working days before the date of intended operation. (c) Each applicant for a certificate under this part and each applicant for operations specifications authorizing a new kind of operation subject to GACAR Part 115 must conduct proving tests as authorized by the President during the application process. All proving tests must be conducted in a manner acceptable to the President and under the appropriate operating and maintenance requirements of GACAR Part 115 that would apply if the applicant were fully certificated. The President must issue a letter of authorization to each person stating the various authorities under which the proving tests will be conducted.
§ 115.15 Contents of a BOC.p.7
The BOC includes— (a) The certificate holder’s business name, (b) The location of the certificate holder’s principal base of operations, (c) The certificate number and its expiration date, (d) The certificate’s effective date, and (e) The location, in a controlled document carried on board, where the contact details of operational management can be found.
§ 115.17 Issuing or Denying a Certificate.p.7
(a) An applicant may be issued a BOC if the President finds that the applicant— (1) Meets the applicable requirements of this part; (2) Holds the economic authority applicable to the kinds of operations to be conducted, issued by the GACA; and (3) Is properly and adequately equipped in accordance with the requirements of GACAR
Part 115, as applicable, and is able to conduct a safe operation under appropriatep.7
provisions of GACAR Part 115 and its associated operations specifications. (b) An application for a certificate may be denied if the President finds that— (1) The applicant is not properly or adequately equipped or is not able to conduct safe operations.
(2) The applicant previously held a BOC that was revoked; (3) The applicant intends to fill or currently fills a key management position listed in GACAR Part 115, as applicable, with an individual who exercised control over or who held the same or a similar position with a certificate holder whose certificate was revoked or is in the process of being revoked, and that individual materially contributed to the circumstances causing revocation or causing the revocation process; and (4) An individual who will have control over or have a substantial ownership interest in the applicant, had the same or similar control or interest in a certificate holder whose certificate was revoked or is in the process of being revoked, and that individual materially contributed to the circumstances causing revocation or causing the revocation process.
§ 115.19 Amending a Certificate.p.8
(a) The President may amend any certificate issued under this part if— (1) The President determines that aviation safety and the public interest require the amendment, or (2) The certificate holder applies for the amendment and the President determines that aviation safety and the public interest allow the amendment.
(b) When the President proposes to issue an order amending, suspending, or revoking all or part of any certificate, the procedure in GACAR §13.103 applies. (c) When the certificate holder applies for an amendment of its certificate, the following procedure applies:
(1) The certificate holder must file an application to amend its certificate with the GACA at least 15 working days before the date proposed by the applicant for the amendment to become effective unless the President approves filing within a shorter period.
(2) The application must be submitted in the form and manner prescribed by the President.
§ 115.21 Certificate Holder’s Duty to Maintain Operations Specifications.p.9
(a) Each certificate holder must maintain a complete and separate set of its operations specifications at its principal base of operations. (b) Each certificate holder must insert pertinent excerpts of, or references to, its operations specifications in its manual and must— (1) Clearly identify each such excerpt as a part of its operations specifications and (2) State that compliance with each operations specifications requirement is mandatory (c) Each certificate holder must keep each of its employees and other persons used in its operations informed of the provisions of its operations specifications that apply to that employee’s or person’s duties and responsibilities
§ 115.23 Amending Operations Specifications.p.9
(a) The President may amend any operations specifications issued under this part if— (1) The President determines that aviation safety and the public interest require the amendment; or (2) The certificate holder applies for the amendment, and the President determines that aviation safety and the public interest allow the amendment.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, when the President initiates an amendment to a certificate holder’s operations specifications, the following procedure applies: (1) The President notifies the certificate holder in writing of the proposed amendment.
(2) The President sets a reasonable period (but not less than 7 working days) within which the certificate holder may submit written information, views, and arguments on the amendment. (3) After considering all material presented, the President notifies the certificate holder of— (i) The adoption of the proposed amendment, (ii) The partial adoption of the proposed amendment, or (iii) The withdrawal of the proposed amendment.
(4) If the President issues an amendment to the operations specifications, it becomes effective not less than 30 working days after the certificate holder receives notice of it unless— (i) The President finds under paragraph (d) of this section that there is an emergency requiring immediate action with respect to aviation safety, or (ii) The certificate holder petitions for reconsideration of the amendment under GACAR Part 13.
(c) When the certificate holder applies for an amendment to its operations specifications, the following procedure applies: (1) The certificate holder must file an application to amend its operations specifications— (i) Unless a shorter time is approved, at least 90 working days before the date proposed by the applicant for the amendment to become effective, in cases of mergers; acquisitions of an operator’s operational assets that require an additional showing of safety (such as proving tests); changes in the kind of operation as defined in GACAR §115.3; resumption of operations following a suspension of operations as a result of bankruptcy actions; or the initial introduction of aircraft not before proven for use in commercial operations; and (ii) At least 15 working days before the date proposed by the applicant for the amendment to become effective in all other cases.
(2) The application must be submitted in a form and manner prescribed by the President. (3) After considering all material presented, the President notifies the certificate holder of— (i) The adoption of the applied for amendment, (ii) The partial adoption of the applied for amendment, or (iii) The denial of the applied for amendment. The certificate holder may petition for reconsideration of a denial under GACAR Part 13.
(4) If the President approves the amendment, following coordination with the certificate holder regarding its implementation, the amendment is effective on the date the President approves it. (d) If the President finds an emergency exists requiring immediate action with respect to aviation safety that makes the procedures set out in this section impracticable or contrary to the public interest— (1) The President amends the operations specifications and makes the amendment effective on the day the certificate holder receives notice of it.
(2) In the notice to the certificate holder, the President explains the reasons for its finding that an emergency exists requiring immediate action with respect to aviation or that makes it impracticable or contrary to the public interest to fully apply the procedures of this section.
§ 115.25 Leasing of Balloonsp.11
Any balloon lease operations will follow the regulations stipulated in GACAR §119.53.
§ 115.27 Recency of Operation.p.11
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no certificate holder may conduct a kind of operation for which it holds authority in its operations specifications unless the certificate holder has conducted that kind of operation within the preceding 180 days (b) If a certificate holder does not conduct a kind of operation for which it is authorized in its operations specifications within 180 days, it must not conduct such kind of operation unless— (1) It advises the President at least 10 working days before resumption of that kind of operation, and (2) It makes itself available and accessible during the 10-working-day period in the event the President decides to conduct a full inspection reexamination to determine whether the certificate holder remains properly and adequately equipped and able to conduct a safe operation.
(c) If a certificate holder does not conduct a kind of operation for which it is authorized in its operations specifications within 180 days, the President may suspend or revoke the operator’s BOC. (d) If a certificate holder’s economic license is suspended or revoked by the economic authority, the President may suspend or revoke the operator’s BOC.
§ 115.29 Conducting Tests and Inspections.p.12
(a) At any time or place, the President may conduct an inspection or test to determine whether the holder of a certificate issued under this part is complying with applicable regulations, the certificate, or the certificate holder’s operations specifications.
(b) The certificate holder must— (1) Make available to the President at the certificate holder’s company physical address of operations— (i) The certificate holder’s certificate and the certificate holder’s operations specifications; and (ii) A current listing that must include the location and persons responsible for each record, document, and report required to be kept by the certificate holder applicable to the operation of the certificate holder.
(2) Allow the President to make any test or inspection to determine compliance respecting any matter stated in paragraph (a) of this section. (c) Each employee of, or person used by, the certificate holder who is responsible for maintaining the certificate holder’s records must make those records available to the President.
(d) The President may determine a certificate holder’s continued eligibility to hold its certificate and/or operations specifications on any grounds listed in paragraph (a) of this section, or any other appropriate grounds.
(e) Failure by any certificate holder to make available to the President upon request, the certificate, operations specifications, or any required record, document, or report is grounds for suspension of all or any part of the certificate holder’s certificate and operations specifications.
(f) These inspections and tests include inspections and tests of financial books and records.
§ 115.31 Duration and Surrender of Certificate and Operations Specifications.p.13
(a) A BOC issued under this part is effective until— (1) The certificate expires; (2) The certificate holder surrenders it to the President; or (3) The President suspends, revokes, or otherwise terminates the certificate.
(b) Operations specifications issued under this part are effective unless— (1) The BOC issued under this part expires; (2) The President suspends, revokes, or otherwise terminates the certificate; (3) The operations specifications are amended as provided in this part, as applicable; or (4) The President suspends or revokes the operations specifications for a kind of operation.
§ 115.33 Renewal of Certificate.p.13
(a) A person applying to the President for the renewal of a BOC issued under this part must submit an application— (1) In a form and manner prescribed by the President; and (2) Containing any information, the President requires the applicant to submit.
(b) Each applicant must submit the application for renewal to the President before the application renewal date specified in the certificate or, if no such date is specified, not less than 30 days before the certificate expires.
§ 115.35 Carriage of Psychoactive Substances.p.14
If the certificate holder permits any balloon, it owns or leases to be engaged in any operation it knows to be in violation of GACAR §91.23, that operation is a basis for suspending or revoking the certificate.
§ 115.37 Documents to be Carried on Board.p.14
In addition to the requirements of GACAR §91.9, the pilot in command (PIC) must ensure that a certified true copy of the BOC, and a copy of the operations specification’s summary, issued in conjunction with the certificate are carried on board.
§ 115.39 Flight Logbook Requirements.p.14
(a) All balloons must carry a flight logbook in accordance with GACAR §91.9(a)(6) containing the items specified in GACAR §91.8 and any other requirements listed in the operator’s manual. (b) The PIC is responsible for ensuring the flight logbook entries are completed in accordance with the certificate holder’s procedures.
(c) These records must be maintained for at least 30 days.
§ 115.41 Surrender Crew Member Certificate.p.14
The holder of a GACA Commercial Balloon Pilot Certificate issued by the President based on the conversion of a certificate issued by another contracting state, or the air operator by whom the holder is employed, must surrender the certificate to GACA for cancellation at the termination of the holder’s employment with that air operator.
§ 115.43 Management Personnel Required.p.15
(a) The certificate holder under this part must identify an accountable manager who will be the person with overall executive responsibility for operations and designated person responsible to GACA, in respect of all functions that are subjected to regulation.
(b) The certificate holder operating under this part must have sufficient qualified management and technical personnel to ensure the highest degree of safety in its operations. During the period of operations, an assigned manager of flight operations must be responsible for flight operations, ground operations and airworthiness.
(c) The individuals who serve in the positions required or approved under paragraph (b) of this section and anyone in a position to exercise control over operations conducted under the operating certificate must— (1) Be qualified through training, experience, and expertise;
(2) To the extent of their responsibilities, have a full understanding of the following material with respect to the certificate holder’s operation: (i) Balloon safety standards and safe operating practices;
(ii) The applicable GACARs; (iii) The certificate holder’s operations specifications; (iv) All appropriate maintenance and airworthiness requirements; and (v) The certificate holder’s manual required under this part.
(3) Fulfill their duties to meet applicable legal requirements and to maintain safe operations. (d) Each certificate holder must— (1) State in the general policy provisions of the manual required by this part, the duties, responsibilities, and authority of personnel required or approved under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section;
(2) List in the manual the names and business addresses of the individuals assigned to those positions; and (3) Notify GACA within 10 days of any change in personnel or any vacancy in any position listed.
§ 115.45 Flight Operations Management: Qualifications.p.16
(a) To serve as manager of flight operations for a certificate holder, a person must hold at least a balloon commercial pilot certificate. (b) A certificate holder may request relief to employ a person who does not meet the appropriate airman experience requirements, managerial experience requirements, or supervisory experience requirements of this section if the President finds that the person has comparable experience and can effectively perform the functions associated with the position in accordance with the requirements of the GACAR and the procedures outlined in the certificate holder’s manual.
§ 115.47 Area of Operationp.17
A certificate holder under this part must operate in areas authorized by the President, as defined in its operations specifications and operating manual.
§ 115.49 Applicability.p.18
(a) This subpart prescribes requirements for preparing and maintaining manuals by all certificate holders operating under this part. (b) The President may authorize relief from certain sections of this subpart due to the limited size of the operation provided the certificate holder demonstrates to the President that all or part of the manual may not be necessary for guidance of flight, ground, or maintenance personnel.
§ 115.51 Preparation.p.18
Each manual required by this subpart must— (a) Include instructions and information necessary to allow the personnel concerned to perform their duties and responsibilities with a high degree of safety;
(b) Be in a form easy to revise; (c) Have the date of last revision on each revised page; (d) Include applicable GACAR references; (e) Not be contrary to any applicable KSA regulation and any applicable foreign regulation, or the certificate holder’s operations specifications or operating certificate;
(f) Be revised as necessary to keep the contents relevant to the operations conducted; (g) Include human factors principles; and (h) Be acceptable to the President.
§ 115.53 Manual Contents.p.19
(a) Operations Manual. Each certificate holder must prepare an operation manual, which must be organized with the following structure: (1) General; (2) Balloon operating information; (3) Geographical Areas of operations; and (4) Training.
(b) Maintenance Manual. Each certificate holder must prepare a maintenance manual, for the use and guidance of maintenance and operational personnel concerned. The maintenance manual must describe the operator’s procedures necessary to ensure that all maintenance is performed on the operator’s balloons on time and in a controlled and satisfactory manner in full conformance with the manufacturer’s requirements.
§ 115.55 Distribution and Availability.p.19
(a) Each certificate holder must furnish copies of the manual(s) required by SUBPART E of this part –or appropriate parts of the manual(s) to— (1) Its appropriate ground operations and maintenance personnel, (2) Its pilots, and (3) Representatives of GACA assigned to the certificate holder.
(b) Each person to whom a manual or appropriate parts of it are furnished under paragraph (a) of this section must keep it up to date with the changes and additions furnished to that person and must have the manual or appropriate parts of it accessible when performing assigned duties.
(c) To comply with paragraph (a) of this section, a certificate holder must furnish the maintenance part of the manual to persons listed above in printed form or other forms acceptable to the President and retrievable in the English language.
(d) Each certificate holder must maintain at least one complete copy of the manuals at its principal base of operations.
§ 115.57 Applicability.p.21
This subpart prescribes balloon requirements for all certificate holders operating a balloon under this part.
§ 115.59 Balloon Requirements: General.p.21
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, no certificate holder may operate a balloon unless that balloon — (1) Is a Saudi Arabian registered balloon and carries a valid airworthiness certificate issued under GACAR Part 21.
(2) Is in airworthy condition and meets the applicable airworthiness requirements, including those relating to identification and equipment. (b) A certificate holder may use an approved mass and balance control system based on average, assumed, or estimated mass to comply with applicable airworthiness requirements and operating limitations.
(c) Subject to the leasing requirements of GACAR Part 119, a certificate holder may operate a balloon, which is not a Saudi Arabian registered balloon, provided the balloon has been specifically identified in the operations specifications pertaining to leased balloons, and the balloon is operated in accordance with the conditions of the lease authorization.
§ 115.61 Applicability.p.22
This subpart prescribes additional airworthiness requirements applicable to certificate holders operating under this part.
§ 115.63 Bilingual Safety Information.p.22
(a) Each balloon must have, in addition to the English signs, markings, and placards required by the balloon-type certification requirements, all of the signs, markings, and placards in the Arabic language.
(b) All emergency signs, and passenger safety information signs, markings and placards as required.
§ 115.65 Instrument and Equipment Requirement for Balloons.p.22
As required by GACAR Part 91.304.
§ 115.67 Restraint Systemsp.22
Balloons shall be equipped with a restraint system for the pilot-in-command when the balloon is equipped with one of the following: (a) Separate compartment for the pilot-in-command or (b)Turning vent(s).
§ 115.69 Applicability.p.23
The requirements for issuing balloon pilot, certificates and ratings, the conditions under which those certificates and ratings are necessary, and the privileges and limitations of those certificates and ratings applicable are prescribed GACAR Part 61, where applicable.
§ 115.71 Pilots: Limitations on Use of Services.p.23
(a) No certificate holder may use any person as a pilot, nor may any person serve as a pilot unless that person— (1) Holds an appropriate and current Commercial Balloon Pilot License certificate issued or accepted by the President, (2) Has any required appropriate current Commercial Balloon Pilot License in his possession while engaged in operations under this part, and (3) Is otherwise qualified for the operation for which they are to be used.
(b) Each pilot covered by paragraph (a) of this section must present certificates for inspection upon the request of the President.
§ 115.73 Composition of Flight Crewp.23
(a) The composition of the flight crew must be, as a minimum, as specified in the AFM or operating limitations prescribed for the balloon. (b) The flight crew must include additional flight crew members when required by the type of operation. The number of the flight crew must not be lower than the number specified in the operations manual.
(c) All flight crew members must hold a license and ratings issued or accepted in accordance with GACAR Part 61, Appendix D (h) and appropriate to the duties assigned to them. (d) Flight crew members may be relieved during the flight of their duties at the controls by another suitably qualified flight crew member.
(e) When engaging the services of flight crew members who are working on a freelance or part-time basis, the operator must verify that all of the following requirements are complied with: (1) Requirements of this Subpart including the requirements on recent experience;
(2) Ensure awareness of human factors such as fatigue, stress, and work overload.
§ 115.75 Additional Balloon Crew Memberp.24
When a balloon carries more than 19 passengers, at least one additional crew member must be present on board the balloon in addition to the flight crew as required pursuant to GACAR
§115.73, Composition of Flight Crew, to assist passengers in the event of an emergency. Thatp.24
additional crew member must be appropriately experienced and trained.
§ 115.77 Designation as Pilot-in-Command (PIC)p.24
(a) The operator must designate a pilot-in-command who is qualified to act as pilot-in-command in accordance with GACAR Part 91. (b) The operator must designate one pilot amongst the flight crew as pilot-in-command.
(c) The operator must only designate a pilot to act as pilot-in-command if he: (1) Is qualified to act as pilot-in-command; (2) Has the minimum level of experience specified in the operations manual; and (3) Has adequate knowledge of the area to be flown.
§ 115.79 Applicability.p.25
This subpart prescribes the requirements applicable to certificate holder for establishing and maintaining an approved training program for balloon pilots, and other operations personnel employed or used by the certificate holder.
§ 115.81 Provision of Training and Checkingp.25
All training and checking of flight crew members required pursuant to GACAR §115.83, Recurrent Training and Checking, must be provided as follows: (a) In accordance with the training programs and syllabi established by the operator in the operations manual;
(b) By appropriately qualified persons and, as regards flight training and checking, by persons qualified in accordance GACAR 61, Appendix (h) & GACAR PART 141, Appendix C (V) (8), where applicable.
§ 115.83 Recurrent Training and Checkingp.25
(a) Each flight crew member must complete every 24 calendar months, ground and recurrent flight training, relevant to the class of balloon on which he operates, including training on the location and use of all emergency and safety equipment carried.
(b) Each flight crew member must complete pilot proficiency checks to demonstrate his competence in carrying out normal, abnormal and emergency procedures, covering the relevant aspects associated with the specialized tasks described in the operations manual. When carrying out those checks, due account must be taken of crew members who undertake operations under VFR at night were approved as per GACAR §115.113, Operational Limitations at Night. The validity period of the pilot proficiency check is 24 calendar months.
(c) An operator proficiency check must be conducted by a flight examiner, for the renewal of a BOC. The validity period for the Operator BOC check is 36 calendar months.
§ 115.85 Applicability.p.26
In addition to the applicable general operating rules stipulated in GACA Part 91, the following subpart prescribes requirements for flight operations applicable to all certificate holders operating under this part, except where otherwise specified.
§ 115.87 Responsibility for Operational Control.p.26
(a) Each certificate holder conducting operations under this part is responsible for operational control. (b) The PIC is responsible for the preflight planning and a flight in compliance with this part and operations specifications.
(c) Each certificate holder is responsible for operational control and must list, in the manual required by, SUBPART E of this part, the name and title of each person authorized by it to exercise operational control.
§ 115.89 Operating Instructionsp.26
(a) Operating instructions must be available in a Flight Manual with each balloon. (b) Flight Manual Information and Approval. The Flight Manual must contain: (1) A description of the balloon and its technical equipment with explanatory sketches;
(2) Operating limitations, normal procedures (including rigging, inflation and deflation), emergency procedures, and other relevant information specific to the balloon’s operating characteristics and necessary for safe operation. This section of the manual requires approval.
(3) Specification of the permissible lifting gas (for mixed balloons only); and (4) Information for ground handling, transport and storage. (c) The operating limitations, normal and emergency procedures, and other relevant information specific to the balloon’s operating characteristics and necessary for safe operation must be provided to the pilot.
§ 115.91 Fuel and Ballast Supply Planningp.27
The pilot-in-command must only commence a flight if the reserve fuel or ballast carried on board the balloon is sufficient to ensure a safe landing.
§ 115.93 Passenger Briefingp.27
The pilot-in-command must ensure that before and, when appropriate, during the flight passengers are given a briefing on normal, abnormal and emergency procedures.
§ 115.95 Carriage of Special Categories of Passengers.p.27
The pilot-in-command must ensure that persons requiring special conditions, assistance or devices when carried onboard a balloon are carried under conditions that ensure the safety of the balloon and of any persons or property carried therein.
§ 115.97 Submission of the Air Traffic Service Flight Planp.27
(a) If an air traffic service (ATS) flight plan is not required in accordance with conditions specified in GACAR §91.163, the pilot-in-command must submit adequate information in order to permit alerting services to be activated if required.
(b) When operating from an operating site where it is impossible to submit an ATS flight plan, although required in accordance with GACAR §91.163, the pilot-in-command must submit the ATS flight plan after take-off.
(c) The operator must ensure that the calculations as regards to reserve fuel or ballast are documented in an operational flight plan.
§ 115.99 Tethered Balloonsp.28
Commercial operation of a manned tethered balloon, certificated as an aircraft must comply with all construction, certification, airworthiness, registration, and operating regulations applicable to aircraft.
The operator must operate under the specified operations specifications for manned tethered balloons. For night operations of a manned tethered balloon, lighted tethers must be provided.
§ 115.101 Smoking On Boardp.28
No person must smoke onboard a balloon during any phase of flight or within the direct vicinity of a balloon.
§ 115.103 Meteorological Conditionsp.28
The pilot-in-command must only commence or continue a VFR flight if the latest available meteorological information indicates that the weather conditions along the route and at the intended destination at the estimated time of use are as follows:
(a) At or above the applicable VFR operating minima; and (b) Within the meteorological limitations specified in the AFM.
§ 115.105 Take-off Conditionsp.28
The pilot-in-command must be satisfied before commencing take-off of the balloon that, according to the latest available information, the weather at the operating site permits a safe take-off and departure.
§ 115.107 Approach and Landing Conditionsp.29
Except in emergency situations, the pilot-in-command must be satisfied before commencing an approach to land that, according to the latest available information, the conditions at the intended operating site permit a safe approach and landing.
§ 115.109 Simulated Situations in Flightp.29
The pilot-in-command may not simulate situations that require the application of abnormal or emergency procedures when carrying passengers.
§ 115.111 Refueling with Persons on Boardp.29
Refueling of balloons must not be conducted when persons are on board.
§ 115.113 Operational Limitations at Nightp.29
Night VFR Flights must follow the rules stipulated in GACAR §91.171.
§ 115.115 Operating Limitationsp.29
The pilot-in-command must ensure that, during any phase of operation, the balloon is not exceeding any of the limitations set out in the AFM or equivalent document(s).
§ 115.117 Weighing and Determining the Mass of Balloonp.29
The weighing of the balloon must follow the rules stipulated in GACAR §91.11.
§ 115.119 In-flight Fuel Managementp.29
The pilot-in-command must check at regular intervals during the flight that the amount of usable fuel or ballast remaining in flight is not less than the fuel or ballast needed to complete the intended flight and the reserve planned for landing.
§ 115.121 Operations in Restricted, Danger, and Prohibited Areasp.30
The pilot-in-command must comply with the requirements of special-use airspace as set out in
§ 115.123 Prohibition Against Carriage of Weapons.p.30
No person may, while onboard a balloon being operated by a certificate holder, carry a deadly or dangerous weapon, either concealed or unconcealed. This section does not apply to officials or employees of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who are authorized to carry arms.
§ 115.125 Security Programs.p.30
Certificate holders conducting operations under this part must have a security program approved by the GACA Aviation Security Sector.
§ 115.127 Applicability.p.31
This subpart prescribes requirements for the following: (a) The preparation and maintenance of records and reports for all certificate holders and (b) The requirement for the retention of records for operator, flight crew, and maintenance as applicable.
§ 115.129 Record-Keepingp.31
(a) The operator must establish a system of record-keeping that allows adequate storage and reliable traceability of its activities. (b) The format of the records must be specified in the operator's procedures or manuals.
(c) All records must be retained for a period of at least 3 years from the date of the last entry made on that record
§ 115.131 GACA Inspectorate Accessp.31
(a) For the purpose of determining compliance with the essential requirements set out in the requirements of this Regulation, the operator must grant access to any person authorized by the authority at any time to any facility, balloon, document, records, data, procedures or any other material relevant to the operator's activity falling within the scope of this Regulation, irrespective of whether the activity is contracted or not.
(b) Access to the balloon must in the case of commercial passenger ballooning, include the possibility to enter and remain in the balloon during flight operations unless to do so would endanger the flight.
§ 115.133 Electronic Signature.p.32
No certificate holder may use an electronic signature for records requiring a certifying statement unless the electronic signature system is approved by the President.
§ 115.135 Transport of Dangerous Goodsp.33
(a) Transportation of dangerous goods must follow the rules stipulated in GACAR §91.27 (b) All reasonable measures must be taken to prevent dangerous goods from being carried on board inadvertently.