Comments to FAA on AWES
The Notice: FAA-2011-1279-0001.htm

• AWES developers
  • FAAfromEnerkite.pdf  EnerKite     
  • FAAfromHighestWind.pdf  Highest Wind    
  • FAAfromAWEIAofUSAchapter.pdf   or HTML format.  AWEIA USA Chapter: The attached file holds our comments, anticipating revisions as the industry emerges. Thank you for your attention over the emerging energy kite systems (AWES, airborne wind energy systems).                         
  • FAAfromMakani.pdf  Makani Power      
  • FAAfromSkySailsPower.pdf SkySails Power     
  • FAAfromWindLift.pdf WindLift     
  • FAAfromAWEConsortium.pdf AWEConsortium 

• Michael Cook: I oppose high altitude tethered power systems. The small contribution of this technology to the power grid is not worth the risk to the flying public.
  • Comment about above: The risks in AWES will be mitigated by quality engineering and normal responsible oversight. Please review the other submissions. ~Joe Faust.
• FAAfromNickolausLeggett.pdf Nickolaus E. Leggett: The attached document contains my comments on the FAA Notification for Airborne Wind Energy Systems (AWES). My comments discuss how AWES can be tested and operated without interference with aviation. Specific suggestions are made about the proposed AWES testing rules.  
• Robert Lumley:  AWES system airspace efficiency can be improved with multiple AWES units operating in the same airspace. We would like to see some mechanism so that control algorithms of multiple units may be tested on prototype scale. 
• FAAfromEAA.pdf EAA is submitted the attached comments for consideration Randy Hansen EAA Government Relations Director
• FAAfromBrianRau.pdf  Brian Rau    [Agricultural applications concerns]
• FAAfromNAAA.pdf  NAAA    [Agricultural applications concerns]
• FAAfromClarkKurschner.docx  Clark Kurschner   [helicopter emergency medical evacuation service (HEMS)]

• Anonymous: I fly gliders in remote areas of the US and the deployment of AWES will create significant hazards even below 500’ AGL. Regarding the AWES deployments: -In the testing phase the AWES have been deployed in Restricted or Prohibited areas. This is because of the significant potential for conflict with flying aircraft. -The low visibility of the tether creates barrage balloons similar to those used in WW II. -Creating more Restricted and Prohibited areas is invasive to the already crowded airspace. - If the AWES are deployed, they should be equipped with an active Collision Avoidance System – perhaps a transponder with Mode S or a Power Flarm. Increased lighting is not enough – especially on a tether or in low visibility conditions. Merely marking the presence of AWES on a chart can be exceedingly vague – especially if the AWES may drift in the wind.
• Anonymous:     Since aircraft occasionally tangle with tower guy wires, I foresee much more danger in aircraft tangling a "free" wire, with no big, red/white, lighted tower even to warn of its presence.  Bigger question is: Are the economics of such a device worth the cost, both in dollars and in safety?

• [ ] Wayne German apparently postal mailed a document to the FAA director. Perhaps he might still enter an online Public Submission.
• [ ] DS mentioned AOPA, but such is not seen. ???
• Are there confidential submissions that will not show?