FAA Flight Notification Procedure
(This is a summary of multiple FAA email correspondences.)
Though your weather
balloon isn’t governed by 14 CFR Part 101, we appreciate your
efforts to coordinate your activity with Air Traffic Control (ATC).
Please find the appropriate steps for notification listed below.
Be advised that ATC
will give advisories to aircraft with whom they are communicating.
Not all aircraft are in contact with ATC. The balloon operator
remains solely responsible for the conduct and safety of the
operation. Be sure to watch for air traffic prior to the release and
ensure the weather is adequate that pilots can see the balloon.
72 to 24 hours
prior
to your launch contact Prescott Automated Flight Service Station
(AFSS) at 877-487-6867,
and ask them to file a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) regarding your
activity.
24 hours prior
to your launch contact Salt Lake Air Route Traffic
Control Center (ZLC) Operations Manager at
801-320-2560
and advise them of your intended launch.
On initial
contact
with each facility provide them with the following:
-The nature of your
operation which is to launch an unmanned weather balloon.
-The location of the
launch site.
-The anticipated
trajectory and altitude the balloon will attain.
-The anticipated
duration of the flight.
30 minutes
prior
to your launch:
Duchesne site
- Contact ZLC Area-C Front Line Manager at
801-320-2563
and advise them of the eminent launch. Also, give them reports
as the balloon passes through each 10,000 foot increment both
climbing and descending. Ask them if they want information above
50kft.
Duchesne site only
if balloon will track east of Vernal (This is Denver (ZDV) air
space):
Contact ZDV Area 1
FLM at 303-651-4241 and Area 4 FLM at
303-651-4244
and advise them of the imminent launch. Also, give them reports
on descent only as the balloon passes through each 10,000 foot
increment and when the device has landed.
Evanston site
- Contact ZLC Area-B Front Line Manager at
801-320-2562
and advise them of the eminent launch. Also, give them reports
as the balloon passes through each 10,000 foot increment both
climbing and descending.
Ask them if they
want information above 50kft.
When the
device has landed
contact ZLC and let them know. Contact Prescott AFSS and ask them to
cancel the NOTAM
*If for any reason
the operation in canceled once notification is given call Prescott
AFSS and cancel the NOTAM and call the ZLC Operational
Manager and let them know.
FAA Contacts:
Hal Hartzell
NISC Contractor
Operations Support Group
Western Service Center
425-203-4571
harold.ctr.hartzell@faa.gov
(Hal is located in Seattle, WA)
Michelle Flores,
Michelle.Flores@faa.gov
Denver Center - Airspace and Procedures
303-651-4532
Kevin C. Hoyt, Lockheed Martin Flight Services (they oversee filing of
NOTAMs.)
kevin.c.hoyt@lmco.com
Salt Lake City FAA:
Stephen.D.Pearce@FAA.gov
ANM/FAA
801-320-2539
Wayne.Vandegraaff@FAA.gov
ANM/FAA
801-320-2530