What are the requirements for the operation with captive balloons?

Captive balloons are excluded from Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/395 of 13 March 2018 laying down detailed rules for the operation of balloons by Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Therefore, in the field of air operations, it does not require authorisation from the Air Works and General Aviation Service of AESA.

In the case of a manned captive balloon, the pilot of the manned captive balloon should hold a balloon pilot licence (BPL) issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) 1178/2011 of 3 November 2011 with privileges to operate such balloons. The balloon must also have the corresponding certificate of airworthiness (EASA Form 25) and the Aircraft Review Certificate in force (EASA Form 15).

However, if the operation is likely to affect a controlled airspace or aeronautical servitude area, it should be coordinated respectively with ENAIRE (Air Space Operational Coordination Department — cop@enaire.es —) and AESA (Aeronautical Services) servidumbres.aesa@seguridadaerea.es