A couple of months ago I met a balloon pilot, and asked him if he'd like to swop a balloon flight for a helicopter flight; he said he would. I've been so busy that I forgot all about it. But today I got a phone call from Lee, the balloon pilot; was I free this afternoon. Well, I never ever turn down free flying, especially in something new. So this afternoon found six of us at Rednall Airfield, lugging a huge hot air balloon in a bag, and an even heavier basket, off the back of a truck.
The first job was to inflate the balloon. Never again will I complain about how long it takes to get a helicopter out of the hangar and do the A check. With a balloon, you have to build your aircraft first. We straightened out the balloon on the ground, then had to blow cold air into it to inflate it. I was in charge of the fan, Kathy and the truck driver (who's name I've forgotten), held the balloon, Rob heated the air with the burners (or whatever you call them), while Lee supervised the whole thing. It took ages, but finally this massive balloon was ready.
Before that we'd worked out where we were going. We'd also had a briefing. We'd stood in the middle of the field to decide on the wind direction - really high tech, that. Then, using an OS map with airspace details marked on it (great idea, I want one) we worked out where to go. Or rather, where the balloon would go by itself. The only steering you can do is up and down, which means you can veer a bit if you go higher, and vice versa. Otherwise you go where the wind carries you.
Finally it was all ready, and we all scrambled into the basket. The usual sort of pre-flight checks, and then we took off and rose slowly to 500 ft agl; the only instrument this aircraft has is an altimeter. I'd volunteered to map read - very easy at around 10-15 kts since I'm used to doing it at 80 kts and flying a helo at the same time. We then spent a pleasant hour or so floating gently over the countryside towards Oswestry, from where we'd started out in the first place. I pointed out when we were over a "complainer's" property, so we climbed another 500 ft. Rob was in charge of the burners (or whatever you call it that heats up the air) and we complained at the noise, as other than that it's all totally silent and very peaceful. Lee gave instructions, and answered my questions - you can theoretically take off in wind speeds of up to 20 kts
but no-one does; more than 5-7 kts just isn't fun; I can't remember that else I asked.
Finally - and it took ages - we reached the Oswestry area, and tried to find a field to land in - no animals, no crops, no power lines; the usual sort of stuff. You approach by letting out air. I asked Lee how you judge the approach; he laughed and said you just hope you get it right. It looked a little more organised than that, but only a bit. It felt very steep to me - a bit like a helicopter vertical letdown. The landing was very gentle though, surprisingly so.
Then we had the major operation of dismantling the balloon, asking the landowner if we could drive on to the field to put it all on the truck, then heading for the pub, and finally back to the Lindstrand balloon factory, where we'd started. Everyone who works there gets to fly for free, but Lee said very few of them take it up.
So, how was it? It was fun. Very peaceful, and a totally different sort of flying to anything I've ever done. I don't think it really grabs me - though it might if I was in charge; I never really like being a passenger. But I won't be getting a balloon PPL; I think I'll stick to helicopters.
So, there's very little I haven't flown in now. Only airships...and they do make those at Lindstrand Balloons. Hmmm....can I wangle that one do you think?