What a nice, reasoned discussion about a "different" form of GA!

Commercial operations aside, you have to remember that balloon flight is generally devoid of any purpose whatsoever except the pure enjoyment of being airborne. Yes, of course there is a considerable skill involved in doing it safely, but one of the major attractions is that it is very much a team effort and almost as much fun for the retrieve as for the passengers! (I did say *almost*).

RTFM , do you think we should ask Helen to have a Club evening for non PPL(B) holders, perhaps during the early summer? This would be an excellent way of allowing pilots in other forms of GA to see what it's all about - it's what got me from gliders into, or rather under, nylon!

We do have an Oakley meet with the micro-light club there, so that's another possibility.

Off to Northern Thailand next week to rejoin my G-BXLP for another hedonistic holiday. At least no-one out there seems to know about Rule 5....not that the rice fields could be considered a congested area anyway :)

Ripline

Sounds like a good idea to me :D At least some of the regulars on this forum have expressed an interest. Perhaps TO could help out at Booker ??

Enjoy! I'm off to Filzmoos for the Berg Bash :D See you at Pendly, if not before.

stringfellow hawke,

Thanks for dragging up my thread from the depths!

The idea of another balloon flight appeals actually. :) I live in North Wales, but fly R22 helicopters from Wolverhampton, and f/w (Cessna 150 and 172) from Welshpool. I'd be interested in a swop sometime - maybe later in the year.

I witnessed an amazing piece of flying by a balloonatic in Swansea. It was at a car show near the coast. The field sloped up from the road and had trees across the top and down one side. This incredible chap lifted off from the bottom of the hill and was blown gently up the slope. He then descended to near ground level at the top and due to some air currents around the trees which he obviously was aware of he descended the hill sheltered by the trees. He was actually flying a rectangular circuit and returning to the takeoff point. And he did it for most of the afternoon!! Amazing to watch.

Hi guys, I just stumbled on this thread and could not resist sticking my oar in :)

It is true that to a greater extent a balloon flight lacks the infinite control that fixed or rotary have, however I would argue that it can take a high degree of skill to land precisely on target as there is often no second chance (get it right first time!).

Given advance planning it is often possible to launch with the intention of landing in a particular field 5 or 10 miles away! It is also possible to land on moving targets (and great fun!).

I think the biggest significant difference about ballooning compared to any other form of flying is that it is a 'shared experience'. It is enjoyed by people on the ground and in the air at the same time.

Ballooning is also the ONLY form of flying that enables you to fly just a few feet above the tree tops either safely (slow) or without disturbance (no rotor downwash).

Importantly, each to his own, and we are after all........aviators.

Happy landings

JWF

:D

"Ballooning is also the ONLY form of flying that enables you to fly just a few feet above the tree tops either safely (slow) or without disturbance (no rotor downwash). "

Not quite true. The way that I got my one and only flight was that the baloonist previously landed in my pony paddock. In the process one of my dogs took fright and went missing for 4 hrs! The subsequent flight was a nice gesture in compensation.

The dog has never forgotten about balloons and stands outside barking at them whenever they appear on the horizon, which is quite often. Worse, it he sees one from the landrover, he will stand on the spokes of the steering wheel to bark at it. Awkward if moving.

david viewing...

and your point is .......????????