Obtaining information prior to flight

The CAR 259/260 Permit Section (4)(b) requires the pilot of a balloon to obtain certain information prior to flight.

(4) Before flight the pilot in command shall:

(b) obtain from an appropriate AirServices briefing facility, for the planned duration of the flight plus two hours,

(i) an operational briefing including current NOTAMs regarding airspace activation, availability of facilities and anticipated military low flying; and

(ii) a meteorological briefing including parts of of Area and Aerodrome forecasts relevant to the flight, with particular emphasis for charter flights on expected changes to surface conditions and winds at gradient level. For flights in controlled airspace the Aerodrome forecast for the relevant aerodrome should be obtained;

Obtaining a weather report from your favourite weather website does not meet all of the requirements of this section of the permit. You also need to obtain NOTAM information prior to flight including Head Office NOTAM’s.

The entire briefing including NOTAMs, ARFOR, TAFs, TTFs can be obtained by using one of the Air Services Australia pilot briefing services.

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Technical data content credited to Mr Steve Griffin