Evaluation of the Need for High Altitude Ballooning after the Enactment of the FAA’s New UAV Regulations
Abstract
At present, high altitude balloons represent a comparatively easy and low-cost way to take to the skies. They can be launched quickly and, in many cases, recovered to facilitate a wide variety of payload experimentation. Non-balloon Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) present an alternate approach to a subset of balloon missions. This paper considers the impact of the proposed FAA UAV regulations on the need for high altitude balloon missions. It considers the types of missions that could be conducted using either technology and the benefits presented to prospective missions by each. It then identifies multiple applications that are significantly predisposed to the use of one technology or the other. From this, characteristics that make an application type well suited to ballooning or UAV operations are identified. The niche filled by balloon missions is examined and contrasted to the relative cost and uncertainty levels proposed by balloon operations. From this, it is concluded that balloon missions fill an important position; however, future UAV operations rules (particularly those increasing operating altitude and removing line-of-sight restrictions) may diminish the need for the technology. Finally, the synergy posed by the two technologies is discussed. The notion of balloon-borne, controllable vehicles is considered. Prospective applications for this type of craft are discussed and, based on this, the benefits and drawbacks of this approach (versus both non-balloon UAVs and uncontrolled ballooning) are considered. The operations of this type of hybrid vehicle under current regulations is considered and discussed.
Evaluation of the Need for High Altitude Ballooning after the Enactment of the FAA’s New UAV Regulations
At present, high altitude balloons represent a comparatively easy and low-cost way to take to the skies. They can be launched quickly and, in many cases, recovered to facilitate a wide variety of payload experimentation. Non-balloon Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) present an alternate approach to a subset of balloon missions. This paper considers the impact of the proposed FAA UAV regulations on the need for high altitude balloon missions. It considers the types of missions that could be conducted using either technology and the benefits presented to prospective missions by each. It then identifies multiple applications that are significantly predisposed to the use of one technology or the other. From this, characteristics that make an application type well suited to ballooning or UAV operations are identified. The niche filled by balloon missions is examined and contrasted to the relative cost and uncertainty levels proposed by balloon operations. From this, it is concluded that balloon missions fill an important position; however, future UAV operations rules (particularly those increasing operating altitude and removing line-of-sight restrictions) may diminish the need for the technology. Finally, the synergy posed by the two technologies is discussed. The notion of balloon-borne, controllable vehicles is considered. Prospective applications for this type of craft are discussed and, based on this, the benefits and drawbacks of this approach (versus both non-balloon UAVs and uncontrolled ballooning) are considered. The operations of this type of hybrid vehicle under current regulations is considered and discussed.