Manuals and TCDSs
Seedy Guide to TCDS (Type Certification Data Sheet) & Manuals
Updated 29/05/2024 – Kubicek Flight Manual to Ed 03 Iss 17. Kubicek TCDS now UK issued as UK.TC.BA.00107 Iss 01.
This Guide is intended to a sist Inspectors (and sometimes the more diligent owner) when it comes to completing the various bits of 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 please check the issue date at the top and remember that details can change overnight so use the links and double-check if you are in any doubt. All the links are summarised at the end. We do try to check and update every few days.
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 Part 21 types (production balloons) including the details about approved types, manuals, Maximum Take-Off Mass, Minimum Landing Mass and what can be used with what.
Since the leaving of EASA on 31st December 2020 UK TCDSs are now approved by the CAA. Naturally (never that simple) the CAA refer to those that haven’t transitioned as EASA TCDS but they are not necessarily at the same Issue number as an EASA issued TCDS found on the EASA website which isn’t where to look anymore.
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. If an amendment or new issue is made then the manufacturer should be applying for a UK TCDS and it will become a UK.TC.BA.xxxxx reference.
The CAA list is now king and the list contains a mix of UK.TCDS and EASA.TCDS which is at;
http://www.caa.co.uk/Commercial-industry/Aircraft/Airworthiness/Type-certificate-and-type-approval-data-sheets/Type-certificate-and-type-approval-data-sheets/
You need to scroll down to Part 21 and click on that. Then a list of flying machines appears. Click on balloons (or anything else you fancy). This is a dead simple list of the TCDSs for balloons and their current CAA approved issue/revision number. If that doesn’t work search ‘CAA TCDS balloons’ and you’ll get the link.
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 is www.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 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 Balloons http://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.
Diamond Balloons info to follow
Head Balloons info@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 their International Representatives and below that is Other Links that has some useful QI stuff in it.
Kubicek Balloons http://www.kubicekballoons.cz
Easy to use site. Little box on the left. Click on Support on the drop down select Documents and then go for what you need on the next dropdown. If you click on Documents 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 the Products you will find they do their own Champagne, neat. The Links under the Ballooning heading is quite comprehensive.
Lindstrand Technologies Limited (LTL) http://www.lindstrandtech.com/hot-air-balloons/. NO LONGER TRADING-TCDS REMAINS VALID. Link no longer working.
Lindstrand Balloons Limited Support now through Cameron Balloons Ltd.
Schroeder Fire Balloons http://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 on Service and to left will appear Downloads. Click on that and all the paperwork is there to download but most of the stuff is in German. If you click on Tour you can click on bits of their factory and have a look round. Canny.
Sky Balloons
Supported by Cameron Balloons Ltd. 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.
Ultramagic http://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 on Manuals & Technical Support and you have arrived. Scroll down and all is ready to download.
Cameron Balloons
Two TCDSs cover Cameron Balloons.
TCDS Cameron Special Shapes UK.TC.BA.00001 issue 6 01/02/2024
TCDS Cameron Hot Air Balloons UK.TC.BA.00002 Issue 4
Flight Manual Issue 10 Amendment 18 21/07/2022
Maintenance Manual Issue 10 Amendment 4 19/10/2017
For FM and MM Supplements see Manufacturer’s website
For the current use of Flight Manuals and Maintenance Manuals you need to refer to the appropriate manufacturers’ TCDS. Look under ‘Operation and Service Instructions’.
Flight Manual
Flight Manual Issue 18 or better and applicable supplements must be used.
Maintenance Manual
The current Cameron Maintenance Manual must be used along with any applicable supplements.
Please Note; 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.
Diamond Balloons
UK TCDS now issued. UK.TC.BA.00072 Issue 2 10/01/2024 (P, S and Character SS series)
Flight Manual use Issue 1 or later
Maintenance use Manual Issue 1 or later
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
One TCDS covers all Kubicek Balloons, BB-S and Aerotechnik AB, AB2 & AB8.. It takes a bit of getting used to!
UK.TC.BA.00107 Iss 1
Kubicek used to have two Flight Manuals and two Maintenance Manuals which related to the serial number of the balloon. Both Flight and Maintenance Manuals are now combined regardless of serial number but the earlier Edition 2 (or Edition 1) can still be used where appropriate. Currently this applies only to BB series balloons. Older versions are no longer on the Kubicek website.
Flight Manual B3102 Edition 3 Issue 17 20/05/24
Maintenance Manual B3202 Edition 3 Issue 8 14/03/2024
Lindstrand Balloons
TCDS Lindstrand UK.TC.BA.00003 Iss1 under the control of Cameron Balloons Ltd.
Flight Manual
You can no longer use the Lindstrand Flight Manual. According to the TCDS CBL FM Issue 10 or better is now the requirement in the TCDS so that’s your lot for the moment as far as old manuals go. So any FM that says Issue 10 or better is acceptable. The current issue is CBL FM10-18.
Maintenance Manual
Inspection must be carried out using the Cameron Inspection Schedule. This means you must have access to the current CBL Maintenance Manual (and supplements where appropriate).
Cameron-built Lindstrand envelopes will require the appropriate Cameron Manual.
Lindstrand Technologies Limited (LTL)
TCDS LTL Hot Air Balloons UK.TC.BA.00006 Issue 2 02/10/2022
TCDS LTL Series Special EASA BA.030 Issue 05 16/05/2019
Flight Manual LTL HAB Issue 8.6 or later
Maintenance Manual LTL HAB Issue 7.2 or later
Schroeder Fire Balloons
Two TCDS covering all Schroeder Fire Balloons.
TCDS Schroeder Fire Balloons G EASA.BA.016 Issue 15 19/07/2021
TCDS Schroeder Fire Balloons S EASA.BA.010 Issue 09 03/08/2018
Flight Manual Edition 2016 Rev 4 08/2018
Maintenance Manual (English version) Issue 1 Amendment 1 Sept 2013
Ultramagic Balloons
Two TCDS covers all Ultramagic Balloons.
TCDS Manned Free Hot Air Balloons UK.TC.BA.00088 Issue 01 13/10/2023
TCDS Special Shapes EASA.BA.517 Issue 11 19/07/2021
Flight Manual Edition 4 Revision 28 11/01/2024
Maintenance Manual Edition 04 Revision 18 25/03/2019
Other Manufacturers’ Equipment Supplement 19 Issue 23 03/08/2022
The current manuals must be used however the TCDS is not date specific and discussions are ongoing but treat them as ‘current’ for the moment. Ultramagic state that for balloons manufactured prior to 28 September 2003 the original Flight Manual may be used.
Sky Balloons
TCDS All the Sky Balloons are now on UK.TC.UK.00003 Issue 1 19/07/2021 and under the control of Cameron Balloons Ltd.
Flight Manual You can no longer use the Sky Flight Manual. According to the TCDS, CBL FM Issue 10 or better is now the requirement iso that’s your lot for the moment as far as old manuals go. So any CBL FM that says Issue 10 or better is acceptable. The current issue is CBL FM10-18 plus any Supplements.
Maintenance Manual
Inspection must be carried out using the Cameron Inspection Schedule. This means you must have access to the current CBL Maintenance Manual (and supplements where appropriate).
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 line www.bbac.org or by post via BBAC Membership Secretary. BBAC Technical Office CTO Lindsay Muir cto@bbac.co.uk. Access to the site requires membership.
EASA Bi-weeklies – Summary of EASA ADs http://ad.easa.europa.eu/biweekly
EASA Website – Confused.com could help here http://www.easa.eu
EASA AD list http://ad.easa.europa.eu/
CAA Website – dreadful complicated site CAA 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 list http://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 Balloons www.cameronballoons.co.uk
Head Balloons www.headballoons.com or info@headballoons.com
Kubicek Balloons www.kubicekballoons.cz
Lindstrand Balloons www.lindstrand.co.uk site currently down following closure
Ultramagic www.ultramagic.com
Schroeder http://www.schroeder-fireballoons.de/ol/index.php