THE CIA RECORDS REVIEW SUB-COMMITTEE

Karl Stefan, Chairman.
Phone & Fax (USA) 970-223-9107
Email: stefan@verinet.com
18 December 2000

(1) Minutes of meeting 2000, Discussion, implementation. (Annex A)

1. Confirm specifically that following actions have been taken by Rules Subcommittee:

1. Confirm amendment on elastic balloons
2. Confirm change to equivalence of gases
3. Confirm change to Airship Altitude Records.

(2) Review of records processed during the year.
    See attached spreadsheet, (Annex I)

(3) Badges. (Annex B)

1. Badge Report
2. Improving the Badge system.
3. Suggestion for eliminating Goal Flight.

(4) Notable Flight Register.

(a) Proposal for directive in Internal Regulations, (Annex C)
(b) Nominations for Notable Flight Register

(1) By Hans Akerstedt (Annex D)
(2) Floor open for other nominations

(c) Other sources for historic flights and for ballooning technology. Open discussion.

(5) (a) Record Reviewer procedures. Open discussion. (Annex E)
    (b) Recognition of August Piccard/Max Cosyns altitude record 18 August 1932 (Annex F)
    (c) Uliassi record claim delay problems (Annex G)

(6) Flight Instrumentation. Open discussion. New developments.

(7) Budget for 2001. (Annex H)

(8) Subcommittee membership proposed for the coming year:

Karl Stefan, Hans Akerstedt, Don Cameron,
Sabu Ichiyoshi, Norman Pritchard, Kevin Uliassi.

(9) Any other items?

ANNEX A - Minutes meeting 01 March 2000

CIA RECORDS REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE - 01 MARCH 2000
Report on Meeting at Thessolonika Greece. From Don Cameron.

Present: Don Cameron (acting president), Hans Akerstedt, Sabu Ichiyoshi,
Apologies: Karl Stefan (president)

1. Minutes of March 1999 were read and approved.
2. The records processed during the year were reviewed. Hans Akerstedt was congratulated on his excellent work on the two absolute record flights: Cable & Wireless and Breitling.
3. Badges@ The report on badge issues was studied. Lars Ekstedt appears to be missing from the list. The subcommittee believes that interest in the badge scheme would be improved if the list.of awards was published regularly in other magazines in the same style as in the BBAC "Aerostat",
4. Elastic Balloons. It is proposed that the amendments approved in March 1999 to Section I rules 2.1.3 and 2.2.3 to deal with elastic balloons should be made effective now and published in the amendment page proposed by the Statutes By-Laws and Sporting Code Working Group. The subcommittee has decided that an acceptable means of compliance with these rules will be to assume that the volume is the volume of air displaced at the maxiimum altitude during flight. This volume will be calculated from the weight of the system, including ballast, which is enough to give equilibrium at take-off together with the weight of the lifting gas assumed to be at the same temperature as the ambient air. Necessary data will include accurate weights, barograph data, and meteorological data for all elastic balloon flights.
5. Sub Class AA: It is recommended that the size categories in sub-class AA should not be redefined because of the loss of old records. It is proposed that the wording of Section I Rule 2.1.4 Equivalence of Gases be simplified without change or effect by giving a single factor for each gas which incorporates both the coal gas equivalent rule and the special 5% tolerance. (non-urgent - to be incorporated at reprinting.)
6. CIA list of Notable Flights: Hans Akerstedt is congratulated on the development of this list which is a very useful historical source and may be published in various forms.
7. Airship Records: It is proposed to amend Section I Rule 4.8.6.5, third sentence, to read: "The height over the course and approaches shall he below 500 meters but without ground contact." (for immediate effect.)
   This proposal is to allow speed record measurements for hot air airships in greater safety,
8. Budget: Requirements are low, mainly for communication. Set at $300 as before.
9. Membership: Proposed membership for the coming year is: Karl Stefan (president), Hans Akeratedt, Don Cameron, Bruce Comstock, Sabu Ichiyoshi, Norman Pritchard.

Annex B – Badges

(a) Register of Badges

The Records Review Subcommittee has responsibility to maintain a register of badge recipients and their performances. Norman Pritchard is the volunteer "registrar".
He reports that during the year 2000, two Silver Badges were awarded as follows:
Derek Maltby UK
Neal Parry UK
Congratulations to these UK pilots on their achievements.

(b) It is a responsibility of the Records Review Subcommittee to monitor the operation of the badge system Section 1, para 8.2.5.2). Obviously with such a few pilots seeking badges, the system is not working very well. At our meeting we should find solutions.

(c) Suggestion received for change of Badge Rules.

Letters have been received from Julian Nott proposing that the "goal" requirement for a Badge be eliminated. Our Subcommittee should discuss this proposal and make recommendations.

The significant statements from Mr. Nott’s letters are given below.

Quote:
"I read your article "What's wrong with the CIA Sporting Badges" with interest. I would like to suggest that there is a different reason why people do not apply and that this is the requirement of making a goal flight. To my mind the sort of pilot who wants to go high and far is a different sort of person to the one who wants to do goal flights, mainly of course in organized competition.

For myself I would have no difficulty claiming all three Diamond Sporting Badges. I have flown a distance more that four times the Diamond Distance, reached an altitude almost twice the Diamond Altitude and spent time aloft about one and a half times the Diamond Time. These are all FAI homologated World Records so I would have no trouble with the paper work. Moreover I have a keen interest in supporting the CIA, having in the past represented the UK on the CIA for many years and would wear the Badges with considerable pride.

But I have never made a goal flight. I would be the first to apply for the Diamond Badges if this requirement was removed. A pilot is allowed to claim one of the Diamond Badges before completing the other two. So why not allow pilots to claim Diamond Badges without having completed a goal flight?"

"My personal view is as follows. Is it a good idea to recognize outstanding performances that fall short of world records? Since it is an important tasks of the CIA to encourage ballooning, it seems an excellent idea. You can have the recognition of a world record without a goal flight, so why not give recognition for a lesser flight than without a goal flight? As an additional point, one can receive one diamond badge without having achieved all three. So why not allow people to receive badges if they have not completed a fourth item, that is a goal flight? I suspect that the CIA is dominated by people who are interested in competitions and to whom a goal flight may seem as natural as breathing. But I do not believe that is so for the majority of balloonist who never fly in competitions."

"Would you kindly take a moment to look at www.nott.com"
Unquote

* * END OF ANNEX B * *

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ANNEX C

Proposal by Hans Akerstedt for addition to CIA Internal Regulations regarding definitions and rules for the CIA Notable Flight register. (Also sent to CIA Bureau and to CIA Statutes, Bylaws and Sporting Code WG).

Note the proposed duties of the Records Subcommittee.
We must consider the organization structure needed to meet these duties.

CHAPTER XX - CIA REGISTER OF NOTABLE FLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

NOTABLE FLIGHT DIPLOMAS

In 1996 the CIA plenary decided to maintain and publish a register of notable flights and achievements. The CIA Records Subcommitte will maintain the register and the rules concerning the register.

To save for the future reliable references to flights or activities that for historical reasons are regarded as significant achievements.
To avoid claims for an achievement that has already been accomplished.

A Notable flight or achievement may be any of the following:

• A significant historical event, achievement, performance or invention
• A significant "first" of any kind
• A flight to or over a significant geographical feature
• A flight between two significant geographical features
• A significant performance regardless whether the flight established a new world record or not

Any person may propose an entry to the Notable Register. The proposal shall be sent to the CIA Records Subcommittee together with as much details and evidence as possible.

The Records Subcommittee may also make entries to the register on its own initiative.

The details and merits of the proposal will be examined by the Records Subcommittee according to the guidelines of these rules.

To maintain the historical value of the list entries will be made regardless of the FAI membership status of the entrant.

Upon proposals by the Records Subcommittee the CIA may decide to issue a certificate to the person or persons involved in a Notable flight confirming that the flight or event has been entered in the Notable Register.

Certificates may be issued to:

• Person(s) involved in an event or flight entered in the CIA Register of Notable Flights and Achievements
• Living persons only

Special attention will be given flights or performances that do not fit into the rules for other FAI or CIA awards

The CIA Records Subcommittee will seek to collect complete and accurate data using any available source.

Hans Åkerstedt, CIA delegate, Sweden, December 11, 2000

ANNEX D – Notable flight nominations by Hans Akerstedt

Notable Flights and Achievements 1995 to 2000 that could be awarded a Notable Flight Diploma.

1995-02-22 J. Steven Fossett, USA
First solo flight across the Pacific. Seuol, Korea, February 17th to Mendham, Canada, February 21st. Absolute World Distance Record.

1995-05-01 Gintaras Surkus and Valery Machornilov, Lithuania
First crossing of the Baltic in a Hot Air Balloon. From Kalmar, Sweden to Latvia.

1995-11-12 Karl-Gustav "K-G" Silverstolpe, Sweden
First balloon flight over Borneo. Flight from Danum Valley to a logging camp. Photo safari over rain forest. Free flight preceded by tethered flights a few days before

1995-xx-xx Hira Takamoto, Japan.
First flight in Mongolia

1996-04-21 Franz Josef "Jojo" Maes, Germany.
1111 flights in gas balloon as commander of the balloon. (Also 1075 hot air balloon flights)

1996-04-21 Ivan André Trifonov, Auistria
First solo flight at the Geographical North Pole by Hot Air Balloon

1997-01-20 J. Steven Fossett, USA
Around the World attempt. First over three continents. First to make 2 Atlantic crossings. St Louis, USA to Varanasi, India. Lost time avoiding Libyan airspace. Absolute World Distance and Duration Records.

1997-02-01 Don Piccard, USA
Free Balloon Pilot licence holder during 50 years

1997-05-22 Eduardo Vaqués Correa, Argentina
First wedding in a Hot Air Balloon performed by the balloon pilot. Pilot authorised by law 17.285

1998-01-05 J. Steven Fossett, USA
First to make 3 Atlantic crossings. St. Louis, USA to Krasnodar, Russia. Total track dist. about 11500 km

1998-03-01 Nini Boesman, Holland
Gas Balloon Pilot licence holder during 50 years

1998-08-16 J. Steven Fossett, USA
Around the World attempt. First South Atlantic crossing, first Indian Ocean crossing. Mendoza, Argentina 7 Aug to Chesterfield Reef, Coral sea 16 Aug.
Absolute Distance Record. Ditched in Coral Sea due severe weather

2000-01-08 Ivan André Trifonov, Austria and Anulfo Gonzalez, Spain
First flight at the South Pole

2000-02-04 Dick Smith and John Wallington Australia
First flight across Tasman Sea. From Kaitaia, North Island, New Zealand to Iluka, NSW, Australia
Track distance 2286 km/1420 SM. Note that prevailing winds are from west

2000-06-03 David Hempleman-Adams, UK
First flight to the North Pole (and back). Took off Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen May 28 at 16:05. Landed 81.30N 021E June 3 at 04.27 UTC. Was at 89.9N. Track distance 2 222 km.

Hans Åkerstedt

ANNEX E - Reviewer problems and procedures.

(1) Reviewer problems
Open discussion on experiences of Reviewers which help or hinder the review process, and what can be done about it. Results of this item may have input into item (2) below.

(2) Reviewer procedures, open for discussion.
Our objective is to determine that the Record Claimed has truly been achieved within the parameters of the FAI Sporting Code. It is the duty of the assigned Reviewer to make this determination in a competent and expeditious manner. When technical data is outside of a Reviewers competence, he must seek expert assistance, within the Subcommittee if possible. Reviewers are encouraged to use the program "cbfai" for various calculations. This program works extremely well. Don Cameron is to be commended for its development. Observers may be contacted directly for clarifications, additional data, etc. The National AeroClub involved is generally very concerned and also may be of help, so keep them informed of such contacts. Questions or problems that have doubtful resolution should be referred to the Chairman for Subcommittee opinion. The Report of approval to the FAI should be in the format below. An Email copy should be sent to FAI as soon as the Report is completed, although the FAI will not finalize the Record until the hard copy with signature is received by mail. FAI address is:

Federation Aeronautique Internationale
Avenue Mon Repos 24
1005 LAUSANNE
Switzerland
Email <sec@fai.org> Tel: 41-21-345-1070 Fax: 41-21-345-1077

FORMAT FOR RECORD REVIEWER REPORT: basically as follows:

Date:-------

TO: FAI Record Claims Coordinator

The following record claim has been examined and approval is recommended:

FAI Claim #: ####
Pilot: Name
Country: Xxxx
Sport License: #####/Date
Subclass/Size: XX-##
Aerostat mod: Manufacturer/model
Volume: Cubic meters
Flight Date: day(##) month(spell) year(####)
Record type: Distance or Duration or Altitude or Around-the-World
Performance: Km(#####.##) Hr/Min M(####)
Brief comments added here on quality of data and noteworthy items.
Signature Date
Printed name

More lengthy and detailed comments about items that may be of future value in the permanent record are encouraged and should be on separate sheets.

ANNEX F

Hans Akerstedt reports the following actions which need subcommittee review. His report dated 1 Dec 2000 follows.

Piccard altitude record 1932. This has been reinstated by FAI in category AA-14 replacing Tracy Barnes in that size class. Following our discussions on equivalent sizes last year I made some research on the Piccard file and also compared the Sporting Code 1930 with later issues.

I then wrote to FAI, Karl and Jean Claude for comments. FAI reacted a bit too quick and thought we had discussed the subject in our subcom. They reinstated the record before any comments were received. I am to be blamed as my report probably gave the impression that we already had discussed it. Report attached here for you information.

Analysis by Hans Akerstedt follows:

Re: Auguste Piccard / Max Cosyns altitude record 18 August 1932

The performance was calculated to be 16 201 meters altitude.

It was homologated as a World Altitude Record and a class A, 8^th category International Record. The geometric volume was 14 000 m³ and the "fictive" volume is stated to be 21 000 m³. The gas used was hydrogen. Therefore the gas used was considered to have a lift of 1.05 kg/m³.

At that time there were 8 size categories. The 8^th category was balloons with volumes 4 001 m³ and larger.

The Piccard record was broken by the following performance.
1933-09-30 G. A. Prokofiev, E. K. Birnbaum and Godunov, USSR
Osso-Aviachim. Hydrogen 24 303 m³ 18 514 meters

The Piccard / Cosyns record was lost from the record books. The 1933 record was then broken by the following performances.
1935-11-11 Orvil A. Anderson, Albert W. Stevens, USA
Explorer II. Helium 104 772 m³ 22 066 meters
1961-05-04 Malcolm D. Ross and Victor A. Prather, USA
Strato-Lab V. Helium 283 168 m³ 34 668 meters

There were also a number of other high altitude flights that for some reason, military or other, were never claimed as world records. In all these cases the balloons used were larger than 17 000 m³.

At some time between 1933 and 1970 the size categories were increased to 10. The smallest size, up to 600 m³, was divided in three categories – up to 250, 250 - 400 and 400 – 600.

In 1964 the following record was set.
1964-05-10 Tracy Barnes, USA
Barnes 14-A, Hydrogen 392 m³ 11 780 meters

The lift used for conversion to equivalent volume was the same as for the Piccard / Cosyns record, 1.05 kg/m³. The volume for the record is therefore 588 m³ and the record was approved for size categories 3 up to all but the largest.

In 1978 five more size categories were added above 6 000 m³.

AA11 6 000-9 000
AA12 9 000-12 000
AA13 12 000-16 000
AA14 16 000-22 000
AA15 22 000 and above

The Barnes record was now reclassified as a record in categories AA3 to AA14. The Piccard / Cosyns record seems to have been forgotten. Quite understandably as it was broken already 1933. If calculated according to the equivalence rules in the Sporting Code 1930 the equivalent volume (given in the original record file) is 21 000 m³ and the balloon should be in the 14^th size category.

There is a complication. Until 1978 the standard lift for hydrogen was 1.05 kg/m³. From 1978 the lift was changed to that of a pure gas calculated from the molecular weight. The new standard lift is 1.114 kg/m³. However for other records, including the 1964 Tracy Barnes record, the lift used in the original file has been retained.

Proposal

The present altitude record in category AA-14 is replaced by

Pilot: Auguste Piccard and Max Cosyns
Sporting License: No 24 (A. Piccard)
Country: Switzerland and Belgium
Subclass/Size: AA-14
Aerostat: Riedinger OO-BFH. "F.N.R.S. I". Hydrogen filled
Volume: 14,000 m³ geometric, 21,000 equivalent
Date August 18, 1932
Record type: Altitude, General Category
Performance: 16,201 meters

It must be the duty of the FAI and the CIA records subcommittee not only to ensure that new records are handled according to the Sporting Code but also to review old records and to protect the interests of the holders of those.

Sporting Codes versions examined for this study
1930, 1970, 1978, 1980, 1987, 1991, 1993, 1996 and 1998.

Hans Åkerstedt,
For CIA Records Subcommittee

ANNEX G – Record claim processing delay problems.

Hans Akerstedt as reviewer for Kevin Uliassi Duration record alerts us to unexpected procedural problems. His report dated 1 Dec 2000 follows:

Uliassi duration record 2000.
The file was sent in late by NAA. I got a copy for pre-review before the new FAI president had decided if the file should be accepted. To speed up his decision I sent a preliminary report saying that the file was in good order and there was a good reason for the delay (the barograph trace was lost because the battery had been removed during transport from Myanmar to USA by diplomatic channels). The Baro trace had been replaced by 600 pages of Inmarsat nessages. FAI then decided to accept the file and took my preliminary report as the final word. So the record was approved without my final report. No harm done as the file figures were accurate (Unusual for a US record file).

ANNEX H - Budget for 2000, Records Review Subcommittee.

Expenses have been minimal, but should be set the same as last year’s budget. (US$)