Riding a hot air balloon as a "net celebrity" tourism project, but there have been two consecutive crashes in China since October last year
Hot air balloons for passengers, romance and safety must fly together
Our reporter Zhao Chen, our newspaper intern Fu Ziqing
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Domestic passenger-carrying hot-air balloon tourism is accelerating, and many places have launched "tethered flying" or "free flying" experience projects.
However, two hot air balloon crashes have occurred recently, causing concerns about the safety of hot air balloon rides.
Professionals believe that safety accidents have exposed the lack of supervision and industry standards for passenger hot air balloons. At present, some hot air balloon projects have signs of blindly launching without taking into account the adaptability of landforms and meteorological conditions.
When choosing a hot-air balloon project, tourists must consider their management level, the qualifications of hot-air balloon pilots and other factors, and choose more mature companies and projects, so that they can truly feel the beauty of hot-air balloons.
Romantic hot air balloon trips are becoming the choice of many young tourists. Domestic passenger hot air balloon projects are also accelerating. In places such as Yangshuo in Guangxi, Tengchong in Yunnan, Yingde in Guangdong, and Qiandao Lake in Zhejiang, tourists can choose to have a fixed tether "Tethered to fly" or "free to fly" without a cord.
However, since October last year, there have been two crashes and deaths related to passenger hot air balloons in China.
Professionals pointed out that the accident exposed the lack of supervision of passenger-carrying hot air balloons, which sounded the alarm for hot air balloon travel.
Taking the accident as a lesson, the regulatory gaps should be filled in time, and the development of enterprises and industries should be regulated. Operators should respect the laws of hot-air balloon projects, and avoid rushing into the air.
From fantasy symbol to "net celebrity" project
Riding the hanging basket to rise slowly, the world below your feet becomes smaller and smaller, and the hot air balloon carries people's beautiful fantasy and expectation of the sky.
Once, the hot air balloon was a dream symbol far away from daily life, but now it is becoming a "net celebrity" tourism project.
"As the hot air balloon slowly rises to the sky, it is shocking to overlook the undulating mountains and ravines at the foot." In 2019, after two days of waiting, Happy (pseudonym) went to the famous Turkish hot air balloon travel destination in Cappadocia. Realized the dream of hot air balloon travel.
Similar to her, many young tourists have included hot air balloon rides in their travel wish lists.
Since the outbreak of the new crown pneumonia epidemic, many tourists have given up their outbound travel, and domestic hot air balloon projects have received more favor.
The reporter searched a number of travel websites and found that there are hot air balloon experience projects in Yangshuo, Guangxi, Tengchong, Yunnan, Yingde, Guangdong, and Qiandao Lake, Zhejiang.
The price of "tethered flight" with a tethered hot air balloon ranges from 100 yuan to 300 yuan, and the flight time is about 10 to 15 minutes.
The "free flight" of the cordless fixed hot air balloon is more expensive and the flight time is longer.
"When the weather is bad, you can’t force the sky above. It’s very unsafe. Because of the weather, we were suddenly told that we could fly when we were about to leave the town on the third day. But before and after the hot air balloon, there were relatively few safety explanations. Always squat to protect your knees.” In the view of Joy, safety is the first priority in a hot air balloon.
Accidents expose regulatory gaps
Is it safe to ride a hot air balloon?
Many tourists have questioned in their hearts.
Since October last year, there have been two crashes and deaths related to passenger hot air balloons in China.
In October 2020, a staff crash occurred at the hot air balloon flight camp of Youyi Villa in Zhuzhou, Hunan.
The man in the accident was a part-time college student who was responsible for ground handling and tourist guidance. He was taken into the air by a hot air balloon and fell to his death without letting go.
Two months later, in Yunnan Tengchong Volcano and Geothermal National Geopark, a ground crew member encountered a strong wind while receiving a hot air balloon. He did not let go in time and was taken into the air by a hot air balloon and fell to his death.
"The direct cause of the two accidents was illegal operation, and both occurred outside the hanging basket, which is very sad." Liu Xiang, a hot-air balloon flying expert who has won 6 national hot-air balloon championships, was interviewed by a reporter from Workers Daily Shi said, “The accident exposed the lack of supervision of passenger-carrying hot air balloons, and it sounded the alarm for the hot air balloon project.”
Statistics show that "tethered flights" account for 80% of hot air balloon projects operated by domestic scenic spots.
However, the reporter's inquiry found that the scope of application of the General Operation and Flight Rules of CCAR-91 of the China Civil Aviation Regulation System does not include moored hot air balloons.
Although the "Administrative Measures for Hot Air Balloon Sports" promulgated by the General Administration of Sport of China have detailed regulations on hot air balloon pilot standards, hot air balloon airworthiness certificates, and hot air balloon club operating standards, they are only applicable to hot air balloon training, competitions, performances, leisure and publicity. The six activities, such as adventure and adventure, obviously do not belong to this category.
"The gaps in the supervision and regulation of passenger-carrying hot-air balloons gave the accident an opportunity. In the accident that occurred in Zhuzhou, Hunan, the hot-air balloon pilot at the time did not have a flying license and violated the hot-air balloon's first up and down operating procedures. As a result, the remaining lift of the hot air balloon is too large. The ground crews are temporarily recruited and rushed to work after simple training, which poses great hidden dangers.” Liu Xiang pointed out.
According to industry sources, there are still chaos such as "black flying" in the hot air balloon project.
The production of hot air balloons requires qualification certificates such as a hot air balloon production license and model approval certificate.
According to the "Hot Air Balloon Operation Guidelines" issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, hot air balloon pilots should have no less than 35 hours of flight experience after obtaining a sports pilot license and balloon rating.
However, in order to save costs, some operators of hot-air balloon projects have purchased unqualified hot-air balloons and hired unqualified pilots, thereby laying down safety hazards.
Hot air balloon tourism should avoid disorderly development
"Taking the accident as a lesson, complementing the shortcomings of supervision and regulation is for the better development of hot-air balloon projects." Liu Xiang believes, "For hot-air balloon passenger tourism, it is necessary to solve who will manage it and what rules and regulations or laws and regulations will govern it. The key issue. As an operator, it is necessary to formulate sound operation and management standards, and strengthen the training of staff including ground personnel."
Domestic hot-air balloon tourism has accelerated development. Many scenic spots use hot-air balloon experience as a "net celebrity" project to attract tourists, but they also show uneven development levels.
"Line up for 2 hours and stay in the air for 5 minutes." Some tourists said that the waiting time was too long before taking a hot air balloon and the experience was not very good.
Some tourists pointed out that in some smaller scenic spots, the supporting facilities are not perfect, and it is even difficult to find the address and contact number of the scenic spot. The scenery after lift-off is not as amazing as expected.
"Hot-air balloon tourism should avoid disorderly development, and we should be in awe of nature and rules." Liu Xiang pointed out that at present, some hot-air balloon projects have signs of blindly launching, "some scenic spots have not considered the suitability of hot-air balloon projects."
He suggested that when investigating hot air balloon tourism projects, we must first consider the geomorphology and meteorological conditions. "Hot air balloons are suitable for flying in light winds and require a relatively large area."
In addition, as a tourism project, it is necessary for the scenic spot to have a sufficient and stable source of tourists, and a complete operation and management system must be established in time after the project is launched.
"Due to the epidemic, many tourists choose to travel in China, and the demand for hot air balloon experience projects is increasing. However, if the number of hot air balloons and venues are temporarily increased in the scenic area, the clearance and venue conditions may not meet the original standards, and the new staff will be added. Lack of passenger experience may hide hidden dangers." Liu Xiang reminded.
Industry insiders suggest that when choosing a hot-air balloon project, tourists should not only choose from the price point of view. They should consider the company’s qualifications and management level, the qualifications of hot-air balloon pilots, and the status of the hot-air balloon, and choose more mature companies and projects. , So that you can really feel the beauty of hot air balloons.