Some years ago I sent up small helium balloons with cameras. Under current regulations what is the position doing this again? Is a balloon an aircraft?
What are the regs? With a tethered balloon or kite the height limit is 200 feet. How about a drone?
Can’t answer about what a balloon is classed as, but legal limit for a drone is 400 ft.
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Since large, people carrying, balloons are registered aircraft, and carry standard UK “G-xxxx” registrations, I think it’s safe to say that smaller ones must also be “aircraft”. Although which legislation they fall under I’ve no idea.
I’d suggest contacting the CAA is your first port of call?
Quite a few people seem to have sent balloons up into the stratosphere with various payload such as cameras, gliders, and garlic bread…
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A balloon under 6 feet is classed as a toy balloon and allowed in controlled air space. Toy balloons of 1000 or more need consent from the caa for a mass launch. I asked the caa so I can release 999 balloons 5 foot diameter at Heathrow airport and that is ok? I detected a gulp at the end of the phone!
Returning to my main question. What is the position with a camera on a toy balloon?
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Had a quick blast through the ANO … Don’t think a camera changes anything for small balloons
Student Adam Cudworth sends camera to edge of space - BBC News… Basically common sense and if not sure ask those who should, such as the CAA
I have been contemplating doing this for years. But the electronics and all the radio tech puts me right off.
Some years ago I was releasing balloons with cameras. To see one of the flights search for. Edgware flight. On you tube. I have many other flight videos on my site. To continue with balloons is now to expensive so now I am considering other ways to get into the sky. The definition of a drone is an unmanned aircraft not just a quadcopter. This means a plane, balloon, kite.
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CAA define a UA as Any aircraft operating or designed to operate autonomously or to be piloted remotely without a pilot on board.
A balloon is not an unmanned aircraft.
CAA class high altitude balloons as unmanned free balloons.
For more information please see Balloon events and activities | Civil Aviation Authority
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