August 21, 1947
Meeting No. 30
Time: August 21, 1947 - 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Place: Regional Office, CAA, Ft. Worth, Texas
Members Present: L. C. Elliott, Chairman Lt. Col. Hall F. Smith, War Dept. Member Major Williams, War Dept. Alternate Member Perry Hodgden, CAB Member Commander James Douglas Arbes, Navy Dept. Member Tracy Walsh, ATA Coordinator
Secretary: Paul H. Boatman
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SUBJECT
III. OBSTRUCTIONS TO AIR NAVIGATION
A. WHITE SANDS, NEW MEXICO, PROVING GROUND - NEW YORK UNIVERSITY - RELEASE OF FREE BALLOONS - CASE #111...3
PROBLEM
1. The Secretary of the Subcommittee presented a request received from the New York University through the Department of Commerce Member for approval of releases of free balloons at the White Sands Proving Ground in Phase II operation as outlined in New York Subcommittee Meeting No. 12, dated March 20, 1947.
DISCUSSION
2. It was first thought that balloons would ascend and descend within the confines of the White Sands presently assigned danger area and that no further authorization would be required; however the Subcommittee was advised by the University that balloons have been descending outside of the area in the vicinity of Roswell, New Mexico. It, therefore, appeared that there was a certain amount of hazard to aircraft encountered in the descent of this equipment.
3. The Subcommittee did not have full information on the number of releases anticipated and other pertinent details; however it appeared the chances of collision of aircraft with this equipment was very remote and due to the fact prevailing winds in this area would ordinarily carry the equipment eastward, which would tend to carry it away from heavy travelled already established civil airways, that this activity might not be too objectionable.