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DownloadDog
14th Aug 2009, 08:26
Hi,

I was due to go ballooning today (14th August) with Virgin Balloons from Oxford, after checking the TAFs for Brize, Heathrow and Luton last night I thought it would be perfect flying conditions this morning to go ballooning. However, the flight was cancelled last night due to "Low cloud and gusty conditions".

The TAFs were as follows:

BZZ SA131950 131950Z 02002KT CAVOK 17/11 Q1019 NOSIG -
EGVN SA131850 131850Z 03005KT CAVOK 19/10 Q1018 NOSIG -
FT132000 131910Z 1321/1421 VRB04KT 9999 FEW045 PROB30
TEMPO 1402/1407 5000 BR BECMG 1418/1421 BKN015
LTN SA132020 132020Z 07004KT CAVOK 16/10 Q1019 -
EGGW SA131950 131950Z 04003KT CAVOK 17/10 Q1019 -
FT131700 131658Z 1318/1418 34005KT 9999 SCT035 PROB30
1402/1407 7000 BKN010 BECMG 1409/1412 23013KT

Perhaps someone with ballooning experience could enlighten me as to how those TAFs translate into "low cloud and gusty conditions". Thanks in advance.PS The weather this morning is gorgeous, no clouds and a gentle breeze....
RingwaySam
14th Aug 2009, 21:48
Between 0650z-0850z the weather at Brize was:

140650Z 24004KT 9999 BKN004 BKN120 14/13 Q1017
140715Z 24004KT 9999 FEW005 SCT120 14/13 Q1017
140720Z NIL=
140750Z 23006KT 9999 FEW010 BKN280 16/13 Q1017
140820Z NIL=
140850Z 22006KT 9999 FEW020 BKN280 18/12 Q1017

Theres obviously some low level cloud there. Luton was quite foggy till 0820z (down to 300m RVR at times) - Can't comment on anything else because I have no experience with Balloons.
Harry Burns
15th Aug 2009, 07:58
Looks then like the TAF was not really reflecting METAR.
DownloadDog
15th Aug 2009, 14:56
Agree, the forecast was for pretty good weather, given that the launch was scheduled for 0700Z. The actual was ever so slightly worse, but the flight was cancelled because of "low cloud and gusty conditions"! I rather suspect the pilot couldn't be bothered to try, probably too busy renovating a house in France...

My top tip for anyone looking to book a balloon flight with Virgin is not to! I've been waiting nearly 2 years for this flight and have yet to leave the ground. Virgin Seagull Balloons would be a more apt title for this company....