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World record hot air balloon attempt reaches New Zealand
MEDIA RELEASE
FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016
World record
hot air balloon attempt reaches New Zealand
Airways New Zealand
confirms the hot air balloon carrying Russian adventurer
Fedor Konyukhovon on his world record attempt to
circumnavigate the globe has entered New Zealand
airspace.
The balloon was picked up by air traffic control shortly after 12pm, Airways Chief Operating Officer Pauline Lamb says. It is expected to travel around the tip of the North Island and out into the southern Pacific Ocean at altitudes of up to 26,000 feet.
“We’ve created a two-hour virtual bubble or ‘reservation area’ around the balloon. We will protect this with our normal airspace separation procedures which means all other aircraft will be directed to fly around the reservation area,” Ms Lamb says.
The balloon has the same surveillance and communications equipment on board that a normal aircraft would, including a transponder and satellite phone. Airways’ Oceanic Control Centre in Auckland is receiving updates on the balloon’s location every 10 minutes.
It is exciting for New Zealand to be part of this world record opportunity, Ms Lamb says.
“Since we learned the
balloon was on its way, we’ve been working with our
customers and the regulator to adjust our operations to
facilitate this journey safely and minimise any potential
disruption.”
Ms Lamb says high altitude ballooning is an emerging technology and Airways is working to support its development.
“Airways has facilitated a number of balloon launches, including the launch of Nasa's super-pressure scientific balloon in Wanaka in May, which we have gained a great deal of knowledge from.”
Ends
Airways New Zealand
Making your world possible
Airways looks after air traffic throughout NZ; at control towers located at main trunk and regional airports; at NZ's military bases and in our two radar centres in Auckland and Christchurch. We work with government, regulatory authorities, airlines, airports and the general aviation community to ensure pilots, passengers and goods reach their destination - safely.
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