Can you offer some light?
The DOWN would not suck (I only use this word literally, to avoid sounding like an American) any more that of an inherently unstable steel tube hurtling towards the earth at high speed.
dave
Thanks for the insight,
I think anything heading uncontrollably towards the ground, no matter what the speed, would, at the risk of sounding like an American (Canadian), suck.
I still prefer to be in the metal tube (with a seat belt, since that would help), and leave the basket flying for storks.
You have a wind direction, from the launch site and generally you know where you are going. As the balloon climbs wind direction can change with altitude, but half the fun is being one with nature. When you are in the air, it is completely silent (other than burning the propane to keep the balloon at level flight).
As to the landing, that is half the fun, picking a field and bringing the balloon down into the field and when everything is packed up, having a good chat and a drink. It is all about having control, a normal person drives a car with control, the same is with a balloon.
Thunderstorms prevented us from getting airbourne last night, but we will see what next weekend brings.
Still looking for people who would like to help form an English speaking ballooning club, whether you wish to go through the training to be a pilot or just a helper, setting up the balloon.
There are also ongoing changes in aviation rules on a European basis and therefore there is no restriction on instruction in CH and in the future it is anticipated that a UK license could be 'swapped' for a Swiss one, however practically there are no real benefits. The balloon and insurances have been done in CH and everything is above board.
For those who are interested in the Swiss license visit http://www.ballonverband.ch/
For the UK license visit http://www.bbac.org/pilotinfo.php
There are differences in the UK / Swiss licenses, but if you aren't a Swiss speaker and live in Switzerland, then you have almost no chance of getting a license.
Hot ait ballooning has always been something I've wanted tp try and would love to have a go, even to see if its worthwhile pursuing as a hobby. Only hitch is that I'm Konstanz and don't get to Zurich that often.
How frequently do you arrange flights/ and from where?
What's the possibility of being able to join you when I can? and do I need to have completed any courses?
Sorry for all the questions!
Thanks
I live on the Konstanz side, so this shouldn't be a problem, as long as you have transport and willing spend an hour or so in the car.
All questions are valid, most flights are in the evening, depending upon dusk
, yesterday we met in Pfaeffikon ZH at 17:30, but alas the weather wasn't as clear as we had hoped. We are trying to meet most weekends at the moment. Where we meet will depend upon the weather and restrictions in airspace. Probably 2-3 hours before we meet a launch site is selected.
You can just act as Crew, help set up the balloon for flight and follow it and help pack it up. This may sound tedious, but you never know where you may end up, you get invited to have a drink with a farmer etc etc.
This is how most people start with ballooning and then take a step by step approach.
I have found ballooning a difficult sport to get into, having an instructor who is willing to teach is half the battle, then you need a crew, someone who can help on the ground etc. With different people crewing and space in the basket, there will be opportunity to take some flights etc.
Then if you want to pursue it, then you have to think about getting the 16 hours flying under your belt, plus a solo flight which you can do with us and taking the multiple choice exams for the license.
We want this to be a social group also and our long term aim is to get a group of pilots and crew together and have some fun and share the costs.
We are not aiming to make money out of this, just to have fun with like minded people and cover our running costs, which are petrol for the truck and the gas for a flight.
Cost of Instruction towards a license would be extra, but costs will be kept to a minimum.
I will send you a PM with my phone number. Please call to discuss further.
Still sounds interesting and have sent you a PM with further info.
How many people are there in the group and do we need a minimum to set up a flight?
Hope to speak soon
P
Good to speak to you this afternoon, there are four people at present, but it would be great if we could get ten people or so involved.
Andy