Cancellation task#14

Task #14 is cancelled.

Christoph Fraisl, ED

ED Newsletter 03/08/2026

Dear pilots and crews,

The Austrian Championship starts in two days.

To help you prepare, here is some current information and updates:

- Blue PZs:

The published competition map is now divided into three different zones:

LOWG 2: maximum altitude 4,500 ft

LOWG 5: maximum altitude 7,000 ft

Rest of the map: maximum altitude 9,000 ft

Outside the published map, the air traffic regulations according to the ICAO chart and its associated requirements apply, and no service will be provided by the organizers. For easier reference, the two LOWGs are attached as a PLT file.

- Balloon Live App:

A major update has been released. All participants must use version V3024 (as of now).

According to the invitation, the official schedule for Wednesday, August 5, 2026, is as follows:

- 10:00 to 12:00: Check-in / Puch Elementary School https://maps.app.goo.gl/ACPnGXTEjar6ZJJQ8

- 13:00: Opening ceremony / Kirchenwirt Hofer https://maps.app.goo.gl/M3rjuiAh8K9GfAS88

- 16:00: General briefing / Puch Elementary School https://maps.app.goo.gl/ACPnGXTEjar6ZJJQ8

- 17:30: Task briefing / Puch Elementary School https://maps.app.goo.gl/ACPnGXTEjar6ZJJQ8

I wish you a safe journey to Puch and look forward to welcoming you.

Christoph Fraisl, ED

Balloon Live app and sensor - Test recording and operation recommendations

Dear Pilots,

To best prepare for any technology hiccups to be solved before we start the event, I would like to ask you to carefully read and follow these 3 important steps:

CHECK

Please check the following:

• the latest version of the Balloon Live app is installed (v3024)
• the Balloon Live Sensor has the latest firmware version (v4.19)

For further information and latest updates, please visit balloonlive.org

TEST AND TRAIN

To test the Balloon Live app with a BLS connected, you will have to log in with your WatchMeFly-account. Then select the 44. Austrian National and 31. Styrian Hot Air Balloon Championship 2026 event to load the competition and flight data.

One practice flight has been defined and is ready to be used for testing. To test that everything is running smoothly, start at least one flight recording and let the app record for a minimum of 5-10 minutes (the longer, the better). While recording this flight, please do also test dropping markers and declaring goals. Watch especially for a good reactivity of the system. Maybe you can also include a waiting time between the selection of the marker/goal number and the final drop. This creates a realistic situation and will help eliminate potential problems. Don’t hesitate to repeat the recording. You can record multiple practice flights.

Once you stopped the flight, you can find your flight data on WatchMeFly.net for download.

Until the General Briefing we will check if all pilots have done such a test recording.

GET READY

Finally, please download and read the new "BLA and BLS Operation recommendations", available for download on https://balloonlive.org/downloads/

If you have any problem, please check the FAQ on balloonlive.org or ultimately contact support@balloonlive.org. 

Best regards,

Christoph Fraisl

Event Director

Event rules

Official Invitation