BFMA insurance update - Good news

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Andrew Mulholland

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Apr 4, 2021, 7:27:49 AM4/4/21
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As part of our recent launch, we realised that a balloon launch wasn't going to be covered under the school main policy. I reached out to the BFMA after having it suggested it some previous threads.

Turns out they have recently switched insurance provider and they have confirmed that the Data, Development & Demonstration (DDD) Insurance has been phased out, with balloons now able to be covered under their standard membership.

At only £38 a year, certainly sounds like great news for high altitude balloon launches, especially schools.

They asked that we provide them with copies of exemption/permission documents, but after that, everything was sorted.

Steve

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Apr 4, 2021, 7:58:20 AM4/4/21
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Thanks Andrew - that is good news - I contacted the BMFA at the beginning of the year about renewing my DDD insurance and they said they would write to DDD members to tell them what they were doing (but nothing received to date). There have been some far reaching regulatory changes to model aircraft flying and the changes in the BMFA cover must be as a result of that.

    Steve

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Phil Cox

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Apr 4, 2021, 9:18:04 AM4/4/21
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Excellent news.!

Author of Point North and Pedal. 
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On 4 Apr 2021, at 12:58, Steve <st...@randomaerospace.com> wrote:



Phil Cox

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Jul 14, 2021, 7:28:08 AM7/14/21
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Further to Andrew's post, we have taken steps to join the BMFA and benefit from their insurance. They recommended that I speak to the CAA if I had any questions regarding our operations; my main worry was, if the worst should happen and a claim was required, we had somehow invalidated the insurance by not fulfilling any conditions. After reading Article 16 (link below), I called Andy Simmonds 0116 2441081 to make sure I wasn't missing any important requirements and to determine which part of the Article specifically fitted into our area of operation. He couldn't have been more helpful, it certainly put my mind at rest.


Part of the BMFA membership process touches on CAA Registration, as I understand it, this is a scheme to register aircraft so, in the event of an incident, all the relevant details are available from a CAA database. Andy told me that balloon's are exempt from registration to the best of his knowledge. It certainly wouldn't do any harm to register but is additional cost.

All in all, this seems straightforward and very reassuring, just wanted to share our experience.

Best wishes

Phil

David Akerman

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Jul 14, 2021, 7:39:37 AM7/14/21
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I joined the BMFA earlier this year and sent an email asking what documentation they need if any pre-flight - i.e. CAA permission/exemption and/or NOTAM, but didn't get a reply.

Aside from the exempt "pico" balloons, HAB flights have to have the permission/exemption certificate, issued by the CAA either specifically for a launch (or group of launches) or annually.  Separately they have to have a NOTAM issued.  I would expect that, when making a claim, I would need to provide my current annual certificate.  The NOTAM is a bit more difficult as they disappear from the CAA NOTAM list once expired, but I would hope that the CAA keep records.  Still, it might be worth screen-shotting the NOTAM once it's issued.  So provided that the flight is as agreed with the CAA - i.e. correct launch site, date, within the time-frame and complying with any other restrictions e.g. launch wind direction - then the insurance should cover it.

I should add that BMFA membership is a very small expense compared to others that we're used to - balloons, gas (especially helium lately!) - and is well worthwhile not just for the peace of mind but also that you get a magazine about RC planes and helis.  What's not to like? :)

Dave

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phil...@sky.com

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Jul 14, 2021, 8:36:25 AM7/14/21
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Hi Dave,

Andrew did mention the NOTAM when we spoke, I just assumed that it was par for the course with any launch. From memory, we have received a certificate as a .pdf  and then view the NOTAM on on  http://www.notaminfo.com  before the launch. I will take a screenshot of that as suggested, good idea.

Best wishes

phil

Phil Cox
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David Akerman

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Jul 14, 2021, 8:41:49 AM7/14/21
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Yes, I do the same.  I have an annual exemption/permission certificate and I request the NOTAM for each flight.  That normally gets done within a couple of hours or so, and I check on notaminfo as it's easier to use than the AIS site.  Rarely notaminfo misses an update from AIS, so if you think you should have a NOTAM and you don't see it, check the latest CAA briefing on the AIS site.

What we call "pico" launches are exempt anyway, so don't need the permission or a NOTAM, so it would be worth checking with Andrew what the situation is for those re the BMFA insurance.

Dave

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Steve

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Jul 14, 2021, 9:12:29 AM7/14/21
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The information I got from Manny Williamson (BMFA Development Officer) was that the only requirements they have is that you are flying legally within the balloon permit and that you inform the BMFA ahead of the flight - he told me to email ju...@bmfa.org with the details (I just forwarded my CAA permit and details of the flight).  Seems like a good idea to capture the NOTAM the day before the flight and send as part of the email to the BMFA.

HABs are nothing to do with Article 16 flying - which covers model aircraft, drones (SUA) when being flown under Association rules. Likewise model rocket flying (which is also covered by BMFA insurance) is not part of Article 16 flying either. 

Someone gave me a procedure to get to passed NOTAMs on the CAA AIS site - I'll see if I can dig it out (not tried it myself).

    Steve

** Its also worth noting that Manny was of the view that even for SUA as long as you are flying legally and recreationally you were covered by the BMFA insurance - for example when flying recreationally under A2CofC rules (where that flying would not be allowed under Article 16 rules).  I have yet to get that on paper from them.

David Akerman

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Jul 14, 2021, 9:15:10 AM7/14/21
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" Someone gave me a procedure to get to passed NOTAMs on the CAA AIS site"  That would be handy!

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Steve

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Jul 14, 2021, 9:25:08 AM7/14/21
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I've also spoken to Manny Williamson re the ANO "Small balloons" in the past (and even have an email response) - to the effect that the BMFA agree with the interpretation that they are exempt from the regulation.  If you get a different view from Andrew then we can get them to discuss internally.

Its probably wise not to call them pico balloons to the BMFA or CAA - they will have no idea what we are talking about  - the proper term for the UK is "small balloon" as defined in schedule 1 of the Air Navigation Order. 

                        “Small balloon” means a balloon of not more than two metres in any linear dimension at any stage of its flight, including any basket or other equipment attached to the balloon;

    Steve

MikeB

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Jul 16, 2021, 2:08:11 AM7/16/21
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That is very encouraging news about BFMA insurance. Does anyone know if it covers flights that extend beyond UK airspace?
 
MikeB

Andrew Mulholland

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Jul 21, 2021, 9:13:00 AM7/21/21
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One thing I would add is I was recently informed by AROps that they are of the opinion that the pico balloon exemption mentioned no longer does apply (or even never did) in the UK, that all met/research balloons launched must get an exemption/permission from the CAA. They defined a pico balloon under that exemption as one that was not carrying any sort of payload. The expectation being a "toy balloon" can be left go and forgotten, where as anything else doesn't fall under that.
I was pointed to Single European Rules of the Air (SERA) which stated "An unmanned free balloon shall not be operated without authorisation from the state from which the launch is made". The ANO is specifically for toy balloons in their eyes.

With that in mind, the BFMA may not then cover pico balloons, if the CAA is saying they aren't legal without going through the normal approvals process.

In saying all of the above, the CAA I feel may approve exemption/permission requests with the size/weight of a pico launch included on the paperwork far quicker for an area of complex air traffic (for example London) than a full sized balloon? Just would need to include the 30 days notice.

Steve

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Jul 21, 2021, 1:01:56 PM7/21/21
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Hi Andrew - as currently written the wording in the Air Navigation Order defines "small balloon" as:

    "a balloon of not more than two metres in any linear dimension at any stage of its flight, including any basket or other equipment attached to the balloon;"

So clearly the "small balloon" exemption is intended to cover flights with attached "basket" and "equipment". If it was only intended to cover the release of toy balloons why would it mention these?

At best ANO article 23 excludes small balloons from most of the legislation, at worst the ANO and SERA are at odds with each other for small balloons.   I do think that the current small balloon definition is something that the CAA might seek to change - so "stirring" this subject with them may not be helpful.  Prior to 2016 SERA did not exist in UK law - so was not a complicating element.

As I said before, I have already asked the BMFA for their view on this subject - I include the email exchange here (note: I have removed some personal information in the exchange) :-

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZG47s-4wWVXLUTpTsR6VOsZKpa1VGL3v/view?usp=sharing     

For reference, in Manny's response ANO article 241 is the catch all:    "A person must not recklessly or negligently cause or permit an aircraft to endanger any person or property."

    Steve G8KHW / AJ4XE

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