Yesterday, 25 February, the Civil Aviation Agency (CAA) supervised a hot air balloon flight that was intended to travel from Estonia to Lithuania — across Latvia.
Safety is paramount in aviation, and due to unfavourable weather conditions the flight was terminated in Latvian territory, without reaching the planned finish in Lithuania. During the flight, a distance of 144 kilometres was covered — from Tartu County in Estonia to Ropaži Municipality in Latvia.
“Our task is to supervise flights to ensure that all civil aviation safety and security requirements are complied with. Given the complexity of the planned flight, we paid special attention to the pilots’ readiness and their skills and knowledge of how to act in different situations. Although our direct task was to oversee the safety of the flight, we also carried out an inspection, including a technical check,” emphasised Andis Bukonts, Head of the General Aviation Aircraft Operations Department at the CAA.
The flight was monitored and the data recorded not only by a CAA representative, but also by the President of the Latvian Aeroclub. The flight was conducted by hot air balloon pilot Inga Van Haver and her son, Gabriels Grīnbergs.
Additional information:
Aivis Vincevs
Civil Aviation Agency (CAA)
Operational Situations Manager
Tel.: 60001672
Email: aivis.vincevs@caa.gov.lv