Balloon safety! Should they be certified?
Does NZ not require a commercial pilots license
I assume that the same rules as to Hire and Reward, when carrying passengers who have paid for the ride, apply as for any other "aircraft".
Or you could just turn the tank off prior to wire contact (like you are supposed to do)
How long did the NZ balloon pilot have to plan his contact with the wires, turn off the tank, blah blah blah ??
Turning off the gas at the cylinder/s wouldn't have made much difference in this case; electrical arcing ruptured one of them.
Hence my thought a few posts above to have some kind of guard fitted.
None of which can guarantee safety if a pilot carelessly or deliberately places his vehicle in harms way, of course.
I've been a DER for over 25 years (FAA, and EASA since it was formed). I've seen volumes of new regulations, interpretations, Advisory Circulars, etc. over that time. Without exception, they have added to the time, cost, and manpower required to certify an aircraft or aircraft change.
Maybe 5% have had any effect on safety, and not all were for the better. In fact the greater the safety improvement a change will provide, the longer it takes and the harder it is to certify
Adding new regulations is almost never the answer.
BTW, I don't think it makes much difference what sort of flying machine you're on, if you hit power lines your chance of having a good day are not in your favor
Maybe 5% have had any effect on safety, and not all were for the better. In fact the greater the safety improvement a change will provide, the longer it takes and the harder it is to certify
Adding new regulations is almost never the answer.
BTW, I don't think it makes much difference what sort of flying machine you're on, if you hit power lines your chance of having a good day are not in your favor