Sky lantern

A Kong Ming lantern is a lantern in lightweight construction that can rise into the air and in which the lift is generated by heating the air contained in the balloon body by its own fire source. It was invented nearly 2000 years ago in China and is the oldest hot air balloon in the world. Since the early 2000s, Kong Ming lanterns are also known in Europe, but in Germany they are illegal in almost all provinces. Other trade names are Sky Lantern, Sky Lantern (天 灯/天 灯, Tiandeng, sky - lantern ', English Sky lantern ), also lucky lantern, wish lantern, or from the Thai Khoom Loy.

Construction and principle

A downwardly open paper bag is spanned by a round frame made of a delicate bamboo chip and 2 wire spokes. The height is about a meter and the diameter is about 40 to 60 centimeters. In the opening of a liquid saturated with a combustible wax or cotton fabric, paper, or porous body depends. The flame lit the lantern and creates lift, which works on the principle of a hot air balloon. The air inside the lamp is heated by the inflow of the flame or combustion gases, expands and its density is below that of the outside air. Thus, the lantern is lighter than its surroundings. This causes a buoyancy that can ascend the lantern. Through the thin tissue paper lantern shines bright and is visible on several kilometers.

Even a little wind or air turbulence leads to strong fluctuation of the balloon still in the hold phase and prevents a safe start. Depending on the size of the balloon and fuel portion, but also depends on the ambient temperature does the burning phase 5 to 30 minutes, the flame about the decreasing focal part is smaller, matching the decreasing buoyancy needed. Recently ( mid-2009 in Austria ) copies sold already had fire-retardant impregnated with salts paper. On a clear night sky and some wind, a balloon after 20 minutes away, so far that he only appears as a point and as bright as a very bright star in the sky.

History

The Kong Ming lantern has been developed nearly 2,000 years ago by the Chinese military leader and scholar Zhuge Liang, whose nickname was Kungming (hence the name of the lanterns ), and used for communication. According to tradition, he and his army were surrounded by enemies, but with the balloons they could call for help. Due to the large altitudes the lanterns are visible for many kilometers. Later, the lanterns were used on special occasions such as weddings or festivals different, they should bring happiness and fulfill wishes. One of the most famous festivals, where the lanterns were used and, is the Chinese Lantern Festival, which dates back to the third century.

2005 5000 Kong Ming lanterns were sent into the night sky in memory of the victims of the tsunami in the Indian Ocean in 2004 on the beach of Khao Lak ( Thailand).

In Europe, the lanterns are available for free since 2006, after several accidents, their use is being increasingly regulated, or prohibited altogether.

Hazards

The lanterns can travel distances of many kilometers, with their flight direction is unpredictable due to changing wind directions. Normally, the Kong Ming lantern only then sinks to the floor when the fire rate is exhausted.

Of the lanterns can be a significant fire risk going out, such as inflammation of the wish lantern at the start, thereby bystanders are endangered. If the lantern in regular burning state due to buoyancy loss ( leaky balloon envelope, katabatic winds ) crashes or in the air catches fire (eg gust of wind ), it brings danger to buildings and trees. Also by -driving into obstacles can ignite fires the lantern, even the glowing remnants after complete combustion of the fire substance are still dangerous.

Especially high is the risk of a fire hazard if the lanterns are used in dry weather or after prolonged periods of heat, as there might be an increased risk of forest fires. These risks can be reduced by the relevant statutory provisions and precautions when using other pyrotechnic articles. For sky lanterns no legal provisions are provided in many states so far.

Due to the height of rise of Kong Ming lanterns - they penetrate into the radar field of air traffic control and air traffic control - is seen impairment or threat of near-ground air traffic. Other possible negative effects are irritation of, for example, motor vehicle handlebars by herabsinkende balloons. The wire spokes of orifice ring can cause stomach injuries, as well as short-circuit power lines in cattle. Better therefore is the fixing of the rate of fire with ceramic cord. Occasionally, false alarms in the fire service and UFO reports.

Legal

In light of the hazards described and the increased spread of the lanterns in Europe an increasing legal restrictions for their use can be observed. The regulations to be respected and approval procedures are regulated differently in different states and countries and to check for the respective location.

General Risks

Insurance companies can refuse with regard to the general conditions of insurance claims settlement after fires even when approved or permitted lantern flights, and there is a fire accident, it can be prosecuted as negligent arson.

Germany

Already in 1936 a police regulation on paper balloon was in the German Empire after the use of sky lanterns had caused some fires, adopted with fuel drive, were banned in the paper balloons with fuel or candles. In the Federal Republic the use of sky lanterns is now de facto banned in all provinces except Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. According to § 15a (1 ) No 2 LuftVO the ascent of the balloon-like luminous bodies at a distance of less than 1.5 km from airfields during their operation time prohibited; for ascents in controlled airspace an ATC clearance is required under § 16a ( 1) No. 3.

In Baden- Württemberg sky lanterns were classified as uncontrolled missile self-propelled, but this was no longer covered by the wording of the LuftVO in the version of 18 January 2010. Therefore, the State Cabinet decided in 2012 explicitly banning. The use of Kong Ming lanterns is in Bavaria by § 18 (5 ) of the Regulation on the prevention of fires ( VVB ) is prohibited. Exemptions are not granted in principle, according to information from the Ministry of Interior. The background is that the free-flying, unmanned hot air balloons are not controllable, flexible, open fireplaces in the sense of VVB. In Berlin, a permit for climbing letting sky lanterns is required. It is there but generally not granted, because impairments in aviation and forest fire danger to be feared. In Brandenburg sky lanterns have been banned since February 4, 2010 in Bremen. Hamburg joined since October 14, 2009 on 1 February 2010, a ban on sky lanterns into force. The use in Hesse is prohibited as of July 23, 2009. The use of Kong Ming lanterns in Mecklenburg- Vorpommern, after he was banned on 26 August 2009, eased back on January 25, 2011. A ban still applies to forest areas and places where a lack of any nötigem extinguishing water prevails. In Lower Saxony, the use is prohibited since 1 May 2009, in North Rhine -Westphalia since July 18, 2009, in Rhineland -Palatinate since 1 September 2009. In Saarland, the upgrade leave of sky lanterns on October 2, 2009, it was banned in Saxony on September 1, 2009. Saxony -Anhalt, the emergency regulation to prevent fires through the use of balloons applies. Schleswig -Holstein has banned sky lanterns on August 28, 2009. The Thuringian Ministry of Interior has a ban on the upgrade of sky lanterns Let pronounced, which applies since 19 October 2009. Violators face a fine of up to 5000 euros.

Austria

In Austria, the placing on the market (which is " offering for sale, selling, importing, free of charge, delivering or distributing a product and its use or transfer in the context of a service " ) of such lanterns by the desire Lantern Regulation of the Federal Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Product Safety Act 2004 since December 10, 2009 generally prohibited.

Even before the rise was only occasionally allowed leave, or generally an authorization by Austro Control, the Austrian air traffic control authority to obtain, as with any object reaches the riser heights of over 400 meters.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, there is basically no prohibition of climbing omission of sky lanterns. The upgrade Lassen is prohibited within a radius of five miles to an airport. In some cantons or municipalities, there may be rules that further restrict the operation or entirely prohibit, for example, due to environmental regulations, sign regulations or traffic laws.