What is a Rigging Band (Non-Spherical Balloons)?

[hvogt]

Hello fellow ppruners

I was wondering if somebody could help me with a question concerning balloons, i. e. non-spherical balloons in my case. ICAO Annex 7 no 3.2.3, which deals with the location of the nationality marks on balloons, says:

Non-spherical balloons (other than unmanned free balloons). The marks shall appear on each side. They shall be located near the maximum cross-section of the balloon immediately above either the rigging band or the points of attachment of the basket suspension cables.

My question now is: What is a rigging band? Since Annex 7 was adopted in 1949 and the provision in question applies to non-spherical balloons, I suspect that a rigging band must be something only to be found at older types of balloons which are rarely seen these days (probably kite balloons). My first thought was that the rigging band was the band holding together a net covering the hull at which the basket suspension cables are then attached.

Unfortunately, an internet search did not bring a result. The term "rigging band" was only found in legal documents referring to Annex 7. I would be very grateful if somebody could enlighten me or even point me to a picture showing a non-spherical balloon with a rigging band.

Cheers,

hvogt

[cavortingcheetah]

Just wondered if this might give you a clue to go forward on....

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_20...14cfr45.29.pdf

I expect you would need to go back to 45.23 for further description. Reference to 45.23 is made here...

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations:

(Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.)

Then this is fascinating...in a tropical sort of way.

http://www.gov.mu/portal/goc/cad/fil...rth/chap21.pdf

and finally this gem....

A Typical Balloon Flight | 4-flight Ballooning Club

A reading of which will enable one to arive at an educated guess as to the meaning of the words 'rigging band'. If all else fails, of course, communication with the previous website posters might elicite a more satisfactory response than the above....

Toodle Pip.......

and then with the morning coffee over the alps, came this gem:

British Airships: Past, Present and Future - Full Text Free Book (Part 1/3)

Where one hopes all questions will be answered.....

[hvogt]

Cheetah

Thank you very much for your help! The "gem" containing the section on the Parseval airships was very helpful. I think now I finally understand what a rigging band exactly is.

It is people like you, who take some time to help others, that make this page such a success.

All the best for you.

hvogt