Seedy Guide to TCDS (Type Certification Data Sheet) & Manuals
Updated 06.10.15 TCDS for Ultramagic Balloons to BA.014 to rev 19 dated 01.10.15.
This Guide is intended to assist Inspectors (and sometimes the more diligent owner) when it comes to completing the various bits of EASA nonsense required to make a balloon safe. No apologies are made for non-technical-type talk but if you don’t have a bit of lightness here and there then it will bore you senseless. Having said that it is not intended as a light read! As I am not the best at links and interwebbing then it is, by nature, simple. Any problems or improvements please let us know. It will be updated weekly but check the issue date at the top and remember this can change overnight so use the links and double-check if you are in any doubt. All the links are summarised at the end.
Type Certification Data Sheet
The TCDS is better known as the Type Certification Data Sheet and contains all sorts of useful stuff on all the Annex1 EASA types including the details about approved types, manuals, Maximum Take-Off Mass, Minimum Landing Mass and what can be used with what.
There are basically two types, those approved by EASA and those approved by the National Agency and recognised by EASA. So order of events is look up the EASA TCDS list. If your chosen subject isn’t there then move swiftly onto the UK CAP 747. There are three categories listed E (Annex I EASA aircraft), N (ones that have not yet transferred so are in limbo) and A (non-EASA). In the case of N and A these will have no TCDS entry and therefore are looked after by the National Agency outside of EASA control and may be referred to as Annex II aircraft.
The TCDS doesn’t change that often! The exception is the Special Shape Balloons categories where individual (or a batch of) aircraft are usually added as built. However they should be checked prior to any reference to the appropriate issue number being made.
EASA TCDSs are at;
http://easa.europa.eu/certification/type-certificates/balloons.php
This is a dead simple list of the TCDSs for balloons and their current issue/revision number.
http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=33&pagetype=90&appid=11&mode=detail&id=1331 will take you to the CAA page ‘CAP 747: Mandatory Requirements for Airworthiness’ and a link to CAP 747 in all its glory. This page also gives the Issue and Amendment Number which is what is needed.
Another route to CAP 747 but not for the faint-hearted iswww.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP747.PDF This puts you straight into CAP 747 where you need to scroll down to pages 27 – 29 (airships are on page 30). These page numbers do change depending on other content. Heavy reading but you do come across the odd B17G and Catalina (not in the balloon bit).
Manuals
There are basically two manuals required to operate a balloon.
Flight Manual
Amongst other things, it tells you how to make it go up and down, the bits and bobs that you can use with it and how many cylinders of gas you can cram into it. These usually have an Issue or Edition number along with a revision or amendment number. Additionally there are often Supplements that go with them permitting the use of different equipment not covered by the current manual. You do not necessarily need to be using the current manual. The appropriate manual to use can be found in the TCDS.
The easiest The way of finding out which manual is the current one, or which earlier ones you can use is to check the TCDS and visit the manufacturers website on a regular basis or sign up with them to receive updates. Downloads of the various Manuals and Supplements are free from the Manufacturers’ Websites.
Maintenance Manual
This is the manual that, amongst other things, shows you how to mend it after you have draped it over a telegraph pole, replace seals and contains the inspection schedule(s). Quite often there are supplements to go with them. Normally the current version must be used but finer detail can be found in the TCDS.
The best way of finding out which manual is the current one is to visit the manufacturers website on a regular basis or sign up with them to receive updates. Downloads of the various Manuals and Supplements are free from the Manufacturers’ Websites.
Mixed Components
Where a balloon envelope uses a bottom end, or components from another manufacturer, then it must first be established if they are approved for use with the envelope. If they are then copies of the other manufacturers’ appropriate manuals (and/or Supplements) will be required. What you need to have is all the information to operate the balloon and its components safely.
Interweb Links:
Cameron Balloonshttp://www.cameronballoons.co.uk
As of October 2013 new re-vamped, re-launched site. Dead simple, click on 'Support' and lo and behold its all there listed. Sky Manuals and the last Thunder and Colt ones are under 'Archive'. Service Bulletins are listed under...'Service Bulletins'. Everything is downloadable coming as pdf files.
Head Balloonsinfo@headballoons.com
Basic tidy site but no Technical Information apart from specifications of their current range (nearly wrote ‘models’ there!). Contact them direct, or their representatives for information. On the left-hand-side of the Main Page is a link to all theirInternational Representatives and below that isOther Links that has some useful QI stuff in it.
Kubicek Balloonshttp://www.kubicekballoons.cz
Easy to use site. Little box on the left. Click onSupport on the drop down selectDocuments and then go for what you need on the next dropdown. If you click onDocuments then the menu will appear on the next page that opens. You’ll need to download the documents to read them. Rather nicely, if you scroll down theProducts you will find they do their own Champagne, neat. TheLinks under theBallooning heading is quite comprehensive.
Lindstrand Balloons Main site currently down following the the closure of the Company. Manuals available to download at http://www.lindstrand.co.uk/help-manuals.phpExpected to be supported and migrate to Cameron Balloons Ltd website soon.
Schroeder Fire Balloonshttp://www.schroeder-fireballoons.de
The site is mainly in German but there is a British flag you click on and that’ll make things easier. Click onService and to left will appearDownloads. Click on that and all the paperwork is there to download but most of the stuff is in German. If you click onTour you can click on bits of their factory and have a look round. Canny.
Sky Balloons
The manuals for Sky Balloons can now be found at;
http://www.cameronballoons.co.uk/cgi-bin/open.cgi?level=2&page=33
Thankyou Camerons, can’t be easier than that then.
Ultramagichttp://www.ultramagic.com
This was our favourite site but now has been made over and has changing pictures instead of bits to click on to keep one entertained. Shame. However it is a doddle to use. Click onManuals & Technical Support and you have arrived. Scroll down and all is ready to download.
Cameron Balloons
Two TCDSs cover Cameron Balloons.
TCDS Hot Air Balloons EASA BA.013 issue 14 17/10/13
TCDS Special Shapes EASA BA.012 issue 27 21/07/14
Flight Manual Issue 10 Amendment 12 07/05/13
Maintenance Manual Issue 10 Amendment 3 21/12/11
For the correct use of Flight Manuals and Maintenance Manuals you need to refer to the appropriate manufacturers’ TCDS. Look under ‘Operation and Service Instructions’.
Flight Manual
For balloons registered or constructed prior to 28th September 2003 the appropriate Flight Manual issued may be used with any appropriate supplements that may be required. Bear in mind that later equipment may be updated which may not appear in an the earlier Manual.
For balloons constructed or registered after 28th September 2003 Flight Manual Issue 9, or later approved EASA revision, may be used. Again bear in mind that supplements may be required for older equipment.
Maintenance Manual
Inspection must be carried out using the latest inspection schedule. This means you must have access to the current Maintenance Manual (and supplements where appropriate).
If current manuals are being used on older equipment or balloons you must ensure that all the components are covered by supplements. Do not assume that all Cameron, T&C, Thunder or Colt Balloons are covered by the latest manual. If you are using the latest manual you may need supplements to go with it. For example Supplement 8.12 ‘Out of Production Envelopes’. This covers some Cameron H-type, Colt Bullet, Colt A-type, Thunder A-type, Thunder Bolt, Thunder Z-type. Supplement 8.22 ‘Out of Production Burners’. Amongst others it covers Cameron Mk 3 and 4, Mk 4 Super, some Shadow and Stealth types and the Colt C2 and C3.
All Thunder and Thunder & Colt Flight Manuals need to be replaced by the latest Cameron Flight Manual as all the MTOMs of Thunder and T&C balloons have changed so the old Thunder and T&C manuals are no longer correct as far as the MTOM is concerned.
Head Balloons
UK TCDS uses the US reference number A29SO.
Flight Manual is Issue 1
Maintenance Manual is Issue 1 rev1 01/02/08
Kubicek
Five TCDS cover Kubicek Balloons
Kubicek AB EASA.BA.004 Issue 1
Kubicek BB EASA.BA.003 Issue 30 02/09/14
Kubicek AB8 EASA.BA.002 Issue 1
Kubicek AB2 EASA.BA.001 Issue 1
Kubicek SSHAB EASA.BA.017 Issue 18 02/09/14
Kubicek have two Flight Manuals and two Maintenance Manuals which relate to the serial number of the balloon.
Flight Manual up to s/n 639 Edition 2 Amendment 23 02/04/13
Maintenance Manual up to s/n 639 Edition 2 Amendment 13
Flight Manual s/n 640 onwards Edition 2 Amendment 19 06/06/13
Maintenance Manual s/n 640 onwards Edition 2 Amendment 11 23/06/14
Lindstrand Balloons
Each Lindstrand Type has its own TC
Lindstrand A Type EASA.BA.021 Issue 8 18/06/15
Lindstrand A Type Cloudhoppers EASA.BA501 Issue 2 19/06/15
Lindstrand B Type EASA.BA.502 Issue 4 18/06/15
Lindstrand C Type EASA.BA.503 Issue 4 18/06/15
Lindstrand L Type EASA.BA.504 Issue 2 18/06/15
Lindstrand S Type EASA.BA.505 Issue 3 18/06/15
Lindstrand X Type EASA.BA.506 Issue 4 18/06/15
Lindstrand Special Shapes EASA.BA.120 Issue 4 18/06/15
Flight Manual Issue 1 Amendment 45 01/07/14
Maintenance Manual Issue 1 Amendment 9 05/07
Flight Manual
For balloons registered or constructed prior to 28th September 2003 the appropriate Flight Manual issued may be used with any appropriate supplements that may be required. Bear in mind that equipment may be updated which may not be included in the earlier manual.
For balloons constructed or registered after 28th September 2003 Flight Manual Issue 1.35, or later approved EASA revision, may be used. Again bear in mind that supplements may still be required for older equipment.
Cameron-built Lindstrand envelopes will require the appropriate Cameron Manual.
Maintenance Manual
Inspection must be carried out using the latest inspection schedule. This means you must have access to the current Maintenance Manual (and supplements where appropriate).
Cameron-built Lindstrand envelopes will require the appropriate Cameron Manual.
Schroeder Fire Balloons
Two TCDS covering all Schroeder Fire Balloons.
TCDS Schroader fire Balloons G EASA.BA.016 Issue 08 16/06/14
TCDS Schroeder Fire Balloons S EASA.BA.010 Issue 07 12/11/13
Flight Manual Issue 1 Rev 14 Sept 2014
Maintenance Manual Issue 1 Amendment 1 Sept 2013
Flight Manual G Nov 2001 balloons mandatory all balloons serial numbers from 01/11/01 onwards. Flight Manual S (special shapes) Nov 2001 + specific to shape. Current Maintenance Manual to be used.
Ultramagic Balloons
Two TCDS covers all Ultramagic Balloons.
TCDS Manned Free Hot Air Balloons EASA.BA.014 Issue 19 01/10/15
TCDS Special Shapes EASA.BA.517 Issue 05 04/07/12
Flight Manual Edition 4 Revision 23 23/01/15
Maintenance Manual Edition 04 Revision 17 14/11/13
The current manuals must be used however the TCDS is not specific and discussions are ongoing but treat them as ‘current’ for the moment. TCDS states that for balloons manufactured prior to 28 September 2003 the original Flight Manual may be used.
Sky Balloons
The TCDS are all UK CAA ones on 747. They are type specific
Sky 16 series UK CAA TCDS BB20 Iss2
Sky 24 series UK CAA TCDS BB5 Iss 6
Sky 28 series UK CAA TCDS BB19 Iss 3
Flight Manual Issue 1 Amendment 10
Maintenance Manual Issue 1 Amendment 5
Maintenance Manual available on the BBAC Website from 03/05/08, FM to follow but currently from Cameron Balloons on request.
SUMMARY OF SOURCES
CAA G-INFO – definitive information on all the UK registered aircraft.http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=60&pagetype=65&appid=1
BBAC Pilots Circular – published on linewww.bbac.org or by post via BBAC Membership Secretary. BBAC Technical Office CTO Graham Hallettcto@bbac.co.uk. Access to the site requires membership.
EASA Bi-weeklies – Summary of EASA ADshttp://ad.easa.europa.eu/biweekly
EASA Website – Confused.com could help herehttp://www.easa.eu
EASA AD listhttp://ad.easa.europa.eu/
CAA Website – dreadful complicated siteCAA CAP 747 covers all airworthiness issues. Lists TCDS including Sky & Head in 1.4.http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=33&pagetype=90&appid=11&mode=detail&id=1331
CAA CAP 476 covers the older stuff (pre-Sept 2004) can take a bit of time to load (its really old!).http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=33&pagetype=65&appid=11&mode=detail&id=216
EASA TCDS listhttp://easa.europa.eu/certification/type-certificates/balloons.php
Link to all the EU aviation authorities (State of Design).http://www.easa.eu.int/home/g_links.html
Cameron Balloonswww.cameronballoons.co.uk
Head Balloonswww.headballoons.com or info@headballoons.com
Kubicek Balloonswww.kubicekballoons.cz
Lindstrand Balloonswww.lindstrand.co.uk site currently down following closure
Ultramagicwww.ultramagic.com
Schroederhttp://www.schroeder-fireballoons.de/ol/index.php
