Wed, Apr 04, 2007
Advertising Tool Becomes Hazard Near Yuma
A Marine Corps F-5 fighter jet had to take immediate and
evasive action to avoid wayward advertising balloons which had
broken free from a nearby car dealership, military officials
said.
The pilot of one of a four ship formation taking off Friday
morning took "aggressive deliberate action" to elude a collection
of balloons at the Marine Corps Air Station-Yuma, said base
spokeswoman Capt. Beatriz Yarrish.
The incident was the latest in a series of problems involving
advertising balloons, Yarrish told The Associated Press, and
prompted the Marines to ask the city to take immediate action.
Several car dealerships have lots adjacent to the base, and many
use the balloons to draw attention to their lots. The Marines want
the city to pass an ordinance setting a height limit at 50 feet,
and creating an enforcement system. Nearby car dealers regularly
fly balloons much higher than that.
Yuma mayor Larry Nelson said the city needs to take action
because of the potential liability.
Federal Aviation Administration regulations ban any balloon more
than six feet in diameter within five miles of an airport boundary.
FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said balloons that size must be kept below
150 feet, and the owner must have a waiver within the five-mile
limit, which the affected airport must approve.
The Marine base shares space with the Yuma International
Airport. Airport Director Craig Williams said he has asked dealers
to remove their balloons, but they continue to be a problem. Some
fly long strings of smaller balloons that Williams said may not
violate the letter of the law, but likely the spirit.
"When you string a million of them together and put them way up
in the air, it's a problem," Williams said.
More News
Chaff Thin, narrow metallic reflectors of various lengths and frequency responses, used to reflect radar energy. These reflectors, when dropped from aircraft and allowed to drift d>[...]
“Today, XB-1 took flight in the same hallowed airspace where the Bell X-1 first broke the sound barrier in 1947. I’ve been looking forward to this flight since founding>[...]
“Teaming up with the EAA and Berlin Express for this event in Cincinnati will give warbird fans a unique opportunity to see the aircraft that helped defend freedom and gave t>[...]
Hazardous Weather Information Summary of significant meteorological information (SIGMET/WS), convective significant meteorological information (convective SIGMET/WST), urgent pilot>[...]
Aero Linx: The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission was created by the 1935 Legislature to oversee the development of aviation in the state. The Comm>[...]