熱氣球的驚嘆號
近幾年，熱氣球成了台灣的最新流行，最早是三年前，台東縣政府在暑假推出了為期兩個月的熱氣球嘉年華活動，帶動了數十億元的經濟產值，如此成功的城市行銷，也引發了其他各縣市爭相仿效。不過，這些繽紛的熱氣球升空，除了帶來商機，其實也暗藏危機，像是熱氣球活動已經行之有年的埃及和土耳其最近都傳出了死傷的意外，有專家就質疑國內的熱氣球活動，經驗不足，配套不夠，是否更安全堪慮。
2013年6月，台灣台東的鹿野高台上，正積極展開國際熱氣球嘉年華活動，色彩繽紛、造型特殊的熱氣球，一顆顆展示亮相。
還沒放暑假，台東縣就率先展開熱氣球活動，為的就是先吸引海外遊客，順勢帶動附近民宿，餐廳業者的收益。
可觀的觀光效益，不僅掀起熱氣球的風潮，更讓各地方政府，包括花蓮、台南、高雄、南投都紛紛搶搭這波熱潮。
但是，讓民眾為之瘋狂的熱氣球，背後所隱藏的安全危機，卻是大家最容易忽略的。
就在世界各地，傳出熱氣球意外事件，也因此飛行人員的訓練就更為重要。由於目前熱氣球沒有專業的法規管理，但不管是自由飛行或是繫留升空，都和飛機的標準一樣，視為航空器，因此採用民航法來規範。
而就飛行人員的訓練來說，國內現在並沒有熱氣球飛行員的考核制度，大多請的是外國飛行員來台。但由於熱氣球活動時間不長，很難吸引外國飛行員前來。
[[台東縣政府觀光旅遊處 處長 陳淑慧]]
像我們綁繩子定點繫留，真正熱愛熱氣球的飛行員，他是不愛做這件事的，也就是說，變成我們綁繩子這種，要他待兩個月，這樣的人是很有限的。
從2012年開始，台東縣政府自己花錢培訓國內熱氣球飛行員，到美國受訓，一個飛行員平均花費新台幣五十萬至六十萬元，截至目前為止，已經培育出七位飛行員。
這些受訓回國的飛行員，到底專不專業，從美國受訓回來的飛行員邱盛富說，他們能在台灣載客，不但要在美國累積商用飛行時數二十五小時，回來台灣時，要再累積飛行時數三十五小時，才能有資格參加本國商業飛行員的考試，考取後才能載客。
[[飛行員 邱盛富]]
那個時候我們從美國回來，二月份我們就開始做個人的自我訓練，那我們每天就是一個禮拜當中，我們會有三次的飛行訓練，來做模擬的載客飛行，然後在整個訓練當中，縣府也安排我們上有關於我們台東縣縱谷的一些導覽的課程，然後氣象的課程，然後民航法規的課程 。
而且國內的飛行人員，每年還要再接受檢定考試，起飛前也要檢測熱氣球，以及掌握天氣動向。
[[飛行員 林沅霆]]
因為我們剛看氣象的話，就是有雷達回波，就雲雨一直靠過來，其實氣候不是很穩定，所以我們這顆球安全上的考量，就是說先不飛。
但看在國內唯一的熱氣球協會眼裡，覺得很憂心，認為這些才剛拿到執照的飛行員，馬上載客，安全性有待考驗。
[[熱氣球協會理事長 夏學常]]
國家補助，然後美國去拿照，其中有個飛行員回來之後，他警覺到他覺得很冒險，
因為他去美國只有十幾天二十天就拿到執照，完全陌生，完全對熱氣球、對飛行對氣象都不懂的人，他很恐懼，他說我如何保護自己，我如何去載客，那萬一出事，我是不是要去承擔所有法律責任?所以他很勇敢的退出。
各地仿效辦熱氣球活動愈來愈多，夏學常也認為，政府帶頭辦熱氣球活動，非常弔詭。
[[熱氣球協會理事長 夏學常]]
全世界我們來看，沒有一個國家辦熱氣球活動是政府在主辦的，由人民納稅錢來辦，沒有，而且我們一辦就幾千萬，這是不可思議的事情。
面對批評聲浪，台東縣政府正面看待，他們認為，台灣剛起步的熱氣球活動由政府主辦，反倒能快速推動相關法令的健全。
[[台東縣政府觀光旅遊處 處長 陳淑慧]]
因為以前我們的空域，是管的比較嚴格，發展比較慢，相對熱氣球又是比較休閒性的，法令還沒有完全，從官方來辦有個好處是，我們先走在前面，把法令整個制度健全了。
而這股「熱氣球城市行銷」的熱潮，的確讓熱氣球的安全問題獲得關注，甚至有配套拖施出現，只是其他還沒被政府重視的休閒運動，像是飛行傘、輕航機等等，
難道還要慢慢等到下一波熱潮出現才能讓消費者的生命安全，減少曝露在危機當中嗎?
Taitung takes steps to lower hot air balloon risks as popularity grows (2013/08/18)
In recent years, hot air ballooning has quickly grown in popularity in Taitung. Its success in generating tourism revenues has led other counties and cities to follow suit. But these balloons do not come without danger, as shown by deadly accidents that occurred this past year in Egypt and Turkey. To lower risk, Taitung is sending pilots overseas to train and also implement new regulations.
On June 2013, Taitung’s Luye Terrace saw the opening of the Taiwan International Balloon Fiesta. It included balloons of different sizes and shapes.
Though summer vacation had yet to begin, Taitung County launched the balloon festival to attract foreign tourists to the area’s guesthouses and restaurants.
Recognizing the potential for tourism benefits, other local governments clamoring to hold hot air balloon events include Hualien, Tainan, Kaohsiung and Nantou.
Despite the popularity of the activity, there are some safety risks which can be easily overlooked.
Hot air balloon accidents around the world have led to renewed emphasis on the training of pilots. At the moment, there are no special regulations in Taiwan. Hot air balloons engaged in free flight or tethered flight are subject to standards applied to aircraft under the Civil Aviation Act.
Because Taiwan doesn’t have a hot air balloon pilot evaluation or certification system, most of the pilots come from overseas. But the type of flights offered and short season make it difficult to attract foreign pilots.
Chen Shu-huei
Taitung Tourism Director
The tethered hot air balloon flights we typically offer aren’t very popular among pilots who truly love flying the balloons. It’s difficult to get people to come here for two months and operate these flights.
Since 2012, the Taitung County government has sponsored pilots to be trained in the United States. Seven pilots have already been trained, at a cost of between NT$500,000 and NT$600,000 each.
A pilot named Chiu Sheng-fu described the training needed to carry passengers in Taiwan. Chiu says that one must first accumulate 25 hours of commercial flight experience in the United States, and then another 35 hours of flying in Taiwan before sitting for a commercial pilot exam.
Chiu Sheng-fu
Pilot
When we came back from the United States, in February we started doing our own personal training. We would do three flights a week where we simulated taking passengers. The county government arranged for guide courses on the Taitung Rift Valley, as well as meteorology and civil aviation courses.
Domestic pilots also have to sit for annual certification exams, undertake an inspection of the hot air balloon before take-off, and master weather conditions.
Lin Yuan-ting
Pilot
We just took a look at the weather with a radar system and it showed rain clouds coming. Therefore, for safety reasons, we have decided not to fly.
With so many of these newly minted licenses, Taiwan’s sole hot air balloon association worries that these pilots have too little experience to begin taking passengers on trips.
Hsia Hsueh-chang
Hot Air Balloon Association Director
They get these subsidies then go to the United States for a license. Upon returning, one pilot felt it was too risky. He spent 10 to 20 days in the US then came back with a license, even though piloting still felt foreign to him. He was unaccustomed to the balloons, flying, and the weather, and was simply terrified. He didn’t know how to protect himself and wondered who would take legal responsibility if he took passengers up and something went wrong. Bravely, he quit.
As hot air balloon activities spread, Hsia Hsueh-chang, the hot air balloon association director, finds it strange that the government is taking the lead in sponsoring these events.
Hsia Hsueh-chang
Hot Air Balloon Association Director
Taking a look around the world, no country hosts hot air balloon events sponsored by the government because this would be a misuse of taxpayer money. And each time an event is held it costs tens of millions of dollars, which is unbelievable.
Responding to such criticism, the Taitung County government says it’s a fledgling activity in Taiwan which should be publicly sponsored. It is also quickly trying to implement safety laws.
Chen Shu-huei
Taitung Tourism Director
In the past, our airspace was tightly regulated so development was slow. Regulations for leisure activities like hot air ballooning were incomplete. The advantage to having the government host this activity is that it can take the lead in creating a sound legal system.
The popularity of hot air balloons has captured the government’s attention. But safety regulations are also needed in other, less popular recreational activities, such as paragliding and light aircraft. There is hope that the government will be proactive in creating a safe environment for these potential future fads.
文章出處 ：民視英語新聞
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