By Nathan Crombie & NZPA
Veteran Wairarapa balloonist Rick Walzcak welcomes the introduction of pilot licensing tests for private Kiwi balloonists.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority magazine Vector, the popularity of ballooning events in New Zealand means the flight authority needed to "increase its safety oversight of the sport" with balloons flying under designated heights for populated and non-populated areas at the events.
Under the proposal, balloon pilots will need to sit exams similar to fixed-wing pilots with navigation elements tailored to ballooning.
Mr Walzcak, who has frequently flown internationally during his 30 years aloft, said there are now about 70 balloons registered in New Zealand and 54 registered pilots.
"I think we're coming in to line with a lot of countries internationally.
"It's not a tough exam, just a simple formality, that will mean pilots who can read charts and fly with a verifiable level of skill and know-how."
Mr Walzcak said there were only three balloons in New Zealand when he first began flying in Wairarapa in the late 1970s and after teaching himself to fly "with a manual in one hand and the balloon in the other", he went on to instruct countless other enthusiast in safe balloon flight and operation.
He said the introduction of licensing tests in New Zealand comes on top of the US Federation of Aviation Administration-sanctioned world competition events held in New Zealand that require competitors to display a competent skill level and awareness of safety and flight procedures.
A commercial ballooning pilot licence is already required for commercial operations but there is today no private pilot's licence for ballooning, CAA sport and recreation manager Rex Kenny said.
Anyone who wants to fly a balloon can now do so without formal training or airspace knowledge although law changes would fully integrate the sport in to the aviation safety system, Mr Kenny said.
Balloon Association of New Zealand president Martyn Stacey also welcomes the new licences and said the association is now applying for certification as an approved recreation organiser, allowing the body to approve aviation events.
n Mr Walzcak has delayed until next year a daredevil balloon landing on the bridge "podium" of the Petronus Towers in Kuala Lumpur after planning an attempt earlier this year.
He was pleased to have his balloon delivered to his Carterton home yesterday and will be checking the craft for airworthiness and safety over the next few days.
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