Hot air balloons classified as aircraft — Flight Safety Committee conducts Taitung drill

▲Taitung hot air balloon flight safety drill. (Photo / Provided by Taitung County Government)

Tourism Center / Reported from Taipei

Hot air balloons have recently swept across Taiwan, captivating visitors with their adorable and whimsical designs. Butdue to regulatory issues, hot air balloons in Taiwan could only be operated in tethered form. This year, with central government ministries collaborating on legal amendments, those restrictions were finally lifted, making it possible to offer “free-flight hot air balloon sightseeing” in Taitung. This development also elevates hot air balloons, alongside light aircraft, as one of the latest officially recognized categories of aircraft by the Civil Aeronautics Administration.

Regarding this newly recognized aircraft category, the Flight Safety Committee under the Executive Yuan assembled a drill team that arrived in Taitung on October 14–15 to conduct a flight safety exercise for hot air balloons. With the assistance of Taiwanese pilots, committee members carried out a series of activities, including examining hot air balloon structures and organizational setups, evaluating pilot proficiency, following aviation safety protocols, and culminating in an actual free-flight demonstration.

Next year’s Taitung International Hot Air Balloon Festival will kick off on May 30, 2014. The upcoming Taipei International Travel Fair will also feature, for the first time, pre-bookable hot air balloon experience packages, available for early reservation by the public.