SPE RUSBAL is engaged in the maintenance of balloons of its own production (type AT-104) and balloons that do not have a type certificate (former single copies).
SPE RUSBAL also carries out work to assess the compliance of balloons with the Federal Aviation Regulations "Rules for the Admission to Operation of Manned Civil Aircraft on the basis of the aircraft assessment act for its compliance with airworthiness and Environmental Protection requirements" (Ministry of Transport Order No. 273 dated 07/30/2020), hereinafter FAP 273. Work on conformity assessment aerostats with a type certificate according to FAP-519 requirements are carried out by
Aerocontrol LLC.
In accordance with Russian aviation legislation (Order No. 147 of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation dated September 12, 2008, "Requirements for aircraft crew members, maintenance specialists ...", hereinafter FAP147), the pilot of a free balloon is allowed to independently carry out maintenance (maintenance) of the aircraft on which he performs flights.
SPE RUSBAL provides in the
Maintenance Manual the regulations and procedures for self-maintenance of the balloon and some simple types of repairs.
Although FAP147 allows maintenance to be carried out independently, it is strongly recommended that maintenance of balloons with shells over 4,500 m3 and balloons used for commercial flights be carried out at the SPE RUSBAL or another certified organization.
To carry out maintenance on your own, it is recommended to use the Log of Operational statements, in which notes are made about all operations on
maintenance, which guarantees the complete performance of work ensuring the maintenance of the balloon's airworthiness. Based on the operational statements, the balloon form, and the pilot's book, SPE RUSBAL, as a certified maintenance and repair organization, issues a maintenance certificate.
The owner or operator of the balloon can contact SPE RUSBAL to perform maintenance work, including all types of repairs.
For reference: In accordance with European aviation legislation (European Commission Regulation 1321/2014 of November 26, 2014 "On maintaining the airworthiness of aircraft ..."), maintenance of thermal balloons with shells of 3400 m3 or more and balloons used for commercial purposes must be carried out in certified maintenance organizations.