Österreichischer AeroClub - Sektion Ballon

Wolfgang Gruber, Postfach 200, A-5013 Salzburg
Telefon: (+43) 662 / 43 13 55, Telefax: 43 13 55 - 32
E-mail: wolfgang_gruber@netway.at

Salzburg, September 1998

To:
NAC`s members of the FAI
Ballooning Federations
Delegates to CIA

OFFICIAL INVITATION

Under the Sanction granted by the International Ballooning commission of the FAI the Organising Committee of the

Hot Air Balloon World Championship 1999
from August 28th to September 5th
in Bad Waltersdorf, Austria

has the honor to invite you to this sporting event.

The important details of the Championship are attached to this invitation.

Invitation and entry procedures: ( SC S1 5.6. )

The number of participants will be 100 + Current Champion

The initial invitation is valid for three competitors per country ( + the current world champion )

The additional invitations will be issued following the Ranking Method ( SC S1 5.6.2.2 )

Fiesta flying: A fiesta with a maximum of 70 balloons will be organised in connection with the Championship. The entry fee is the same as for the competition. Entries for the fiesta are accepted until May 31^st in the order of the entries.

Hope to see you!

With best regards
Wolfgang Gruber

Event Name: Hot Air Balloon World Championship 1999
Bad Waltersdorf
August 29th to September 5th

Organisers:

The Championship is organised by the Austrian Aeroclub - Balloon Federation, the Erster Österreichischer Montgolfieren & Aerostatic Club (1.Ö.M.&A.C), jointly operated by the Bad Waltersdorf Marketing Ltd., the Bad Waltersdorf Community and Touristboard.

Sponsors:

The major sponsors for this event are NIVEA - Fa. Beiersdorf Ltd., PRIMAGAZ, the Austrian goverment, the Federal country of Styria and many other national and local companies.

Tentative schedule:

Number of Competitors Invited:

100 + current World Champion but all entries in the first round will be accepted even there are more than 101.

Entry fee: - US-Dollar 500.00
The entry fee is to be paid to the bank account:
1.019876 Bankleitzahl 38411
Raiffeisenkasse Bad Waltersdorf
Bad Waltersdorf Marketing GesmbH

The entry fee includes:
LPG, 2 competition maps, three tickets for opening ceremony and pricegiving diner per team, free access to all social events, three tickets for the thermal spa facilities, pilots pack.

Conditions for invitation and participation:

Pilots nominated by their NAC must hold a valid licence for Hot Air Balloons for more than 1 year, a sporting licence of their NAC and must have an experience from a minimum of 50hrs as PIC.

Each pilot is responsible for the payment of his hotel, food, customs clearance, transportation and travel to Bad Waltersdorf.

Entry deadlines:

Insurance Requirements:

A competitor is responsible to cover a minimum of ATS 20 million for third parties liability up to a MTOW of 750 kg. Above this TOW the minimum is ATS 40 million.

If a competitor intends to fly with copilot, observer or other passengers during the competition, he must have an accident insurance covering a minimum of ATS 3 million.

An insurance company is available to offer additional insurances covering the above mentioned minima. A special note about prices can be provided on request.

Office and useful contacts for inquiry:

Organisation - General Information Bad Waltersdorf Ltd.
Gerhard Kindermann
A - 8271 Bad Waltersdorf 309
phone: ++43 3333 3730 fax ++43 3333 3731
e-mail : g_kindermann@mail.styria.com

Österr. Aeroclub - Balloon Federation
Wolfgang Gruber
PB 200
A -5013 Salzburg
phone: ++43 662 431355 0 fax ++43 662 431355 32
e-mail: wolfgang_gruber@netway.at

Competition Officials:

( to be approved at the CIA meeting in March 1999 )

Launch field and Flight Area:

The main launch field is located on the eastern side of the village near the thermal bath. The launch site is a nice, nearly flat, green place.

Corn is the main crop in this region. At the time of the championship the harvest is in progress, and there should be enough places for fine landings.

The flight area is about 30 km around Bad Waltersdorf. In the south east, about 30 km away, is the boundary to Hungary and in the south about 40 km away is the boundary to Slovenia. It will be allowed to fly in both countries, but the competition area is defined by the competition map.

There are only 5 PZs and few animals on the fields. Controlled airspace begins above 5500 ft MSL. Below this altitude there are no restrictions in VFR conditions. But for the competition the clearance will be given up to 7000 ft MSL.

Competition Centre:

The Competition Operations Centre is located at the "Freizeitpark Tennishalle". All Briefings including General Briefing and Observer Briefing and the debriefing are taking place there.

Language:

The official language of the Championship is English.
English is pretty good spoken in Austria. The organisers do not see any serious communication problems.

Rules:

The rules are the MERAX 1998 with organiser options.

Competition map:

1:50.000 scale map with a grid system.

Weather information:

Weather informations are provided by a very experienced meteorological team of Austro Control.

LPG:

High Quality pure propane is available with REGO 7141 F, TEMA 3000, US/POL and some other connections. 10 ports are available, so the time to wait should be minimal.

Chase vehicle:

A truck or a van can be rented at special reduced price directly in Bad Waltersdorf. You will get information about available cars on request.To rent a car you have to show an International Driver’s Licence. Credit cards are accepted.

Driving in Austria:

In Austria you have to drive on the right side of road. The maximum speed with a trailer on regular streets is 80 km/h, without trailer 100 km/h, on Highways 100 / 130 km/h, in villages 50 km/h. Special speed limits must be expected!

Volunteers and equipment:

Members of local clubs guarantee the smooth running of the Championship. On request drivers and additional local crews can be organised at very low costs. When you need any equipment, we can offer a loan service with complete balloon hardware (burners, cylinders, and baskets). Please contact for details Gerhard Kindermann in time

Bad Waltersdorf:

Geographical coordinates N 47° 11’ / E 16° 01’

Bad Waltersdorf is located in the south east of Austria. About 100 km south west from Vienna and 70 km east from Graz. It takes about one hour to drive from either cities to Bad Waltersdorf. The high way A2 has an exit "Bad Waltersdorf". Vienna is the most convenient international airport.

Climate and wind

MEZ, Summer Time -- 2 hours ahead UTC (GMT)
End of August in Bad Waltersdorf Sunrise -- 3.42 UTC / Sunset 18.15 UTC
Elevation at the main launch site -- 870 ft MSL
Magnetic deviation -- 1° E

In the end of August the maximum temperature is between 20 –27° C, the minimum temperature is between 12 – 16° C. Generally the climate is mild and the wind regularly not more than 5-10 kts. >

Food

Many restaurants of all qualities and "Heurige" are existing. In "Heurigen" you get special local food and wine, made by farmers of the region. The food price varies depending on the category of the restaurant. A budget of ATS 200 to 300 per day and person will be sufficient.

Air ticket, air freight, Customs clearance and other facilities:

Official freight agent is SCHENKER, who has representatives around the world. If you want to ship your balloon you get the adress from the Schenker partner in your country on request from organisers. Schenker will organise your shipment directly to Bad Waltersdorf including Customs clearance. The shipment back home will also be started at the Technical Centre in Bad Waltersdorf.

For your comfort there is a Service desk at the Vienna Airport on Friday, August 27^th and Saturday August 28th. From there we help to organise your transportation to Bad Waltersdorf.

Accommodations:

There are accommodations from first class hotels to boarding houses available. The information with a reservation form will be sent to participants with their entry documents.

Exchange rate:

For your information the exchange rate USD to ATS (September 1998):
1 US $ = 12.55 ATS

Other useful information

electricity -- 220 v
measurement -- metric system (eg. m, m/s, km, km/h)
temperature -- Celsius
air pressure unit -- hPa
country code for phone ++43 (omit the ‘0’ of area code)
No restrictions on advertising on the balloons !

HOT AIR BALLOON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 1999

NAC PILOT REGISTRATION FORM

Please complete and return to:

AUSTRIAN AEROCLUB – BALLOON FEDERATION,
WOLFGANG GRUBER, FISCHERGASSE 17
A-5020 SALZBURG, AUSTRIA
HOT AIR BALLON CHAMPIONSHIP 1999
phone : ++ 43 662 431355 0
fax : ++43 662 431355 33
e-mail: wolfgang_gruber@netway.at

>>>> PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE <<<

The NAC of .......................................... intends to take part in the Hot Air Balloon World Championship 1999 and nominates the following pilots:

last name first name

Nationality: _______________________ Date of birth: _______________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Phone: _________________________ FAX: ______________________________

e-mail _________________________

last name first name

Nationality: _______________________ Date of birth: _______________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Phone: _________________________ FAX: ______________________________

e-mail _________________________

last name first name

Nationality: _______________________ Date of birth: _______________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Phone: _________________________ FAX: ______________________________

e-mail _________________________

last name first name

Nationality: _______________________ Date of birth: _______________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Phone: ______________________ FAX: ______________________________

e-mail _________________________

last name first name

Nationality: _______________________ Date of birth: _______________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Phone: _________________________ FAX: ______________________________

e-mail _________________________

The pilots 1 – 3 get the personal invitation immediately, 4 and 5 are on stand by for additional invitations !

Signature .................................................. Date