Industry News:        May 8, 2008

The website content here at www.acmesport.com has been updated with proprietary detail, some recent examples include;

• In-depth technical explanations of the latest burner technologies designed by Paolo Bonanno of Mondovi Italy.  If you qualify, you might have the opportunity to become a dealer for these new burners in your area.

• The flight test results and analysis from FAA Certification Testing of our ACME Rigid-Mouth Hoop innovation.

• Learn about our 8lbs inflation fan, it produces 20lbs thrust and 25,000 cfm

• Instructions on how to acquire, assemble and use our new inexpensive Balloon Theodolite (<$400) Track your inexpensive pibal automatically thru 10,000ft.

Access to the enhanced areas on this website have been restricted; you must contact ACME LLC via email for access to our latest proprietary content.

Industry News:                June 8, 2007

The FAA has made a Direct Final Ruling that changes the Definition of Lighter-Than-Air Light Sport Aircraft.  The 660lbs definition/limitation number has been increased to 1,320lbs Gross Weight.  Verification of this Direct Final Ruling can be found online @ http://dmses.dot.gov/docimages/pdf101/472412_web.pdf
 

Industry News:                March 22, 2007

Paolo Bonanno designs and manufactures the finest balloon burners in the world and he has recently developed a burner for the Light Sport, Experimental, and/or Ultralight market. ACME LLC is now taking orders for these amazing new burner systems.

Industry News:                September 5, 2006

ACME LLC announces the 'Renovatio' concept for hot-air balloon design.  If you are planning to attend the 2006 Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, ACME will be there and available to privately show this new exciting technology.  Send us an email to make arrangements.

Industry News:                August 1, 2006

Aerostar announced that January 31^st, 2007 will be the last day it will accept orders for hot air balloon systems or major components. This ending of an era, described by Aerostar as being a result of the steady decline of the hot air balloon industry, breaths new life into the Light Sport Ballooning business model.

Industry News Flash:     July 25, 2006     EAA AirVenture   Oshkosh, WI

LTA Gross Weight Correction to be Fast Tracked Directly to the Rule.

There was a meeting today with many FAA people at AirVenture 2006.  Included was Jim Ballough and John Hickey of The FAA.  The status of Sport Pilot was reviewed.  There is no extension being considered in any way.  If aircraft do not make it in by 1/31/08 then they may never be able to come in.  Mr. Hickey clearly understood the need for corrections to the Lighter-Than-Air LSA gross weight definition limitation.  Mr. Hickey said, "We will pull out all the stops and fast track it."

Industry News:                June 30, 2006

ACME LLC, FAA Designated Alteration Station and Bonanno Balloons Service of Mondovi Italy are working together to FAA Certify new burner technology for the US market.

Industry News:                April 18, 2006

ASC has filed a Request for Exemption to address the LSA LTA 660lbs Definition Limitation safety issue.  Go to www.dms.dot.gov , do a simple search of Docket# 24521; and comment favorably.  FAA acceptance and/or approval, will exemplify The FAA and ASTM working together in consensus.    Many thanks are in order to Jim Stephenson for his efforts.  His knowledge of the current LSA LTA regulatory issues, and his continuing support shouldering the administrative costs of this proposed exemption, promote the greater cause of aviation safety.    

Industry News:                September 6, 2005

ACME LLC receives a response to our "Congressional Request" made via Senator Ted Stevens Office.  The Director of Aircraft Certification Service, John J Hickey,  responded on behalf of FAA Administrator Marion Blakey.  The response includes answers to many of the questions that surround the LSA LTA 660lbs definition/limitation, and provides hope for a timely resolution to the issues.  An image of the response is provided here.

Industry News:                August 5, 2005

Alaska Consulting Manufacturing and Engineering LLC has been granted tentative FAA Authorization to operate a 14CFR Part 21 Subpart M; Designated Alteration Station in accordance with FAA Order 8100.9.  The final DAS authorization will be contingent upon the quality and breadth of certification work submitted during the surveillance period.

Industry News:                Wednesday, March 16, 2005

DOT approved (33lbs LPG capacity, or approximately 8 gallons) composite propane cylinders will be available from The Lite Cylinder Company starting next month. The cylinders will have standard lift truck fittings and a dip tube. The liquid level is visible, through the tank wall. The 33lbs capacity does not include the 20% extra volume that is standard in tank design. Cost $125 FOB Franklin, TN.

ACME News:                   Friday, December 3, 2004

ACME Aerostats offers a 'bullet shaped' envelope.  This envelope design is light weight, very maneuverable and is highly sought after in the competition community. 

ACME News:                    Monday, November 15, 2004

The FAA Anchorage Aircraft Certification Office has appointed ACME Chief Engineer Jim Rogina as a Designated Engineering Representative of the FAA.  This 'Private Aerospace Engineer' FAA DER status carries with it a candidacy period during which data submittal is reviewed by the Anchorage ACO and evaluated against FAA performance standards.  ACME LLC is involved in aircraft certification projects that reflect strategic planning for marketing flexibility.  The DAR, and DER, privileges will soon be superceded by an FAA Designated Alteration Station (DAS) rating.  “DAS authorizations create a partnership between the FAA and industry,” stated Jim Rogina.   "The DAS approval will allow ACME to reduce the time required for designing, certifying and implementing balloon design modifications by developing and approving its own Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs)."  ACME expects to reduce the time needed to approve type design modification data, conduct conformity and compliance inspections, approve inspection reports, plan and approve flight tests and results, issue Type Inspection Authorizations and Airworthiness Certificates, amend Standard Airworthiness Certificates, approve Balloon Flight Manual Supplements, and issue, amend, or re-issue ACME LLC DAS STCs.

ACME News                       October, 29, 2004

ACME Aerostats is pleased to have had the opportunity to participate in the drafting of  the Light Sport Rule Gross Weight Exemption Request Docket #FAA-2004-19294-1, and the subsequent LSA LTA FAA Rulemaking change effort.  The exemption request uses design criteria language "Design Useful Load 660lbs".  For more information go to the ASC Web site at the following link:    aerosports.org

ACME News Flash:             Friday, July 16, 2004

ACME Aerostats, a Division of ACME LLC has been granted FAA Approval for the latest in our series of Hot-Air Balloon Designs.   Approved envelope models range from 50,000 cubic feet to 120,000 cubic feet in volume.  ACME Aerostats has been recently approved as an FAA PMA Production Facility. 

FAA News Flash:             Friday, July 16, 2004

The Light Sport Rule passes it's final hurdle as OMB has handed it off to the FAA for it's final publication in the Federal Register.  ACME LLC is conveniently poised to take full advantage of this exciting new development in aviation history.  All of the appropriate ACME Aerostats FAA Approved Hot-Air Balloon Designs will be offered as Light-Sport and Light-Sport Experimental Aircraft.

ACME News:                    Monday, March 22, 2004

ACME Aerostats is working with the Balloon Federation of America , the FAA, and the American Society for Testing Materials to develop the Light Sport Aircraft  LTA Hot Air Balloon Consensus Standards that will articulate the design criteria for this new category of aircraft.  The ASTM -BFA sanctioned F37.60 sub-committee members have submitted their input.  A note from the F37.60 committee chairman Jim Stephenson follows:

Dear LTA team,

Thank you all so much for your excellent effort to help develope the LTA ASTM Specifications.  Special thanks to Dave Sheldon for leading the new Balloon effort.

We are now proceeding to the next ballot.  It is critical that we get as many voters as we can involved.  We need this to show that the LTA community is truely involved in the process.

Please join ASTM at www.astm.org and join the F37 Light Sport AIrcraft Committee.  In particular, ask to be placed in the F37.60 LTA committee.  When you join ask for the Vol. 15.07 standard.  This is the standard in which all Light Sport Aircraft Documents will be published.  You get it for free by joining ASTM.

If you have any difficulty, contact Dan Schultz at  dschultz@astm.org.

Special access is available for individuals critical to the community.  Please do not let your participation fail this close to the prize.  Call me, Jim Stephenson, at 269-781-4021 if you need special consideration.

Jim Stephenson

PS.  Please send notices to the LTA lists to ask more people to get involved.  This is a community effort.