Hot air balloon safety
For more than two centuries, humans have been in awe of hot air balloons—both for their beauty as they glide through the sky, and the amazing views they offer to those who ride in them. This diversion has found its way to schools, either to have a demonstration on school grounds or to offer rides as an incentive for students or staff.
Before schools move forward with a hot air balloon launch, it is important they answer a few risk control-related questions:
Is the event taking place on school grounds? If so, school administrators need to make sure the area where the launch will take place is free of any obstructions, such as power lines, trees, bleachers or buildings, within 500 feet. The school will need a weather preparedness plan in case of high winds or other adverse weather conditions. If the demonstration is indoors, operators should avoid any potential heat or ignition sources and make sure there are no obstructions, such as sprinkler systems or heating and ventilation equipment.
Will emergency responders be present? In the blink of an eye, a hot air balloon demonstration or launch can turn from an exciting time to a potentially dangerous event. A sudden gust of wind could make the balloon unstable or even upend it. Additionally, an in-flight fire is a risk that would require firefighters to manage the situation from the ground.
Will students or staff be riding in the balloon? Because of many risks, including those noted above, a hot air balloon ride can be hazardous—especially if unforeseen conditions arise. Examples could be pilot error, a collision with something else in the air, or a rough landing. For this reason, it is imperative that anyone who will be riding in the balloon (or their parent/guardian, if they are a minor) signs a waiver releasing the school from liability.
Will staff members be assisting in the demonstration of the equipment? Whether the balloon is taking flight or not, people will be needed to operate it. If any of those people are employed by the school, that could be an additional risk should something go wrong. Administrators should obtain legal advice to learn what liability they assume if a school employee is directly or indirectly responsible for an adverse incident.
Will a third-party vendor be conducting the demonstration? If so, a formal agreement and contract should be in place, including a certificate of insurance from the vendor that lists the school as an additional insured entity. As above, administrators should seek legal advice about the repercussions of an accident. Additionally, they should make sure the event is compliant with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines.
Does the balloon pilot have a license? The FAA requires all hot air balloon pilots to meet requirements for balloon operation and hold valid aircraft and commercial vehicle insurance. In other words, anyone who is operating a hot air balloon on the school’s property should be fully qualified and take every precaution necessary.
Does the pilot have written policies for crew safety? If a school is using a third-party vendor, that vendor should be able to produce extensive written policies that account for any safety concerns for both crew and passengers.
Some additional FAA requirements for vendors operating hot air balloons include:
- Not exceeding a minimum specified number of accidents or incidents within a recent time period.
- Verifying annual aircraft inspections.
- Hosting a forum for passengers to rate the company.
- Notifying local FAA offices of the location of their base of operations.
- Conducting random pilot drug screening.
A hot air balloon demonstration might sound exciting, but any school hosting such an event should make sure all these concerns have been addressed.
Check out these resources for more risk control tips to help you keep your students and staff safe.
