Practice Approaches
Approaching from a relatively high altitude, with a
high descent rate, down to a soft landing, is a very
good maneuver to practice. This is used when landing
over an obstacle when maneuvering to your selected
field is only possible from a higher than desired
altitude. This maneuver can also be used when, due
to inattention or distractions, you find yourself at a
relatively high altitude approaching the last
appropriate landing site. Practicing this type of
approach should take place in an uninhabited area,
and the obstacle should be a simulated obstacle.
A drop in landing or steep approach to landing is
another good maneuver to practice. Being able to
perform this maneuver can get you into that perfect
field that is just beyond the trees, or just the other side
of the orchard. Being able to drop quickly, but softly,
into the fallow field between crops is more neighborly
than making a low approach over the orchard. Being
able to avoid frightening cattle or other animals during
an approach is a valuable skill.
Having the skills to predict your track during the
landing approach, touching down on your landing
target, and stopping the balloon basket in the preferred
place, can be very satisfying. It requires a sharp eye
trained to spotting the indicators of wind direction on
the ground.
Dropping bits of tissue, observing other balloons,
smoke, steam, dust, and tree movement are all ways
to predict the balloon track on its way to the landing
site. Your most important observation is watching for
powerlines.
A good approach usually earns a good landing. In
ballooning, approaches can be practiced more often
than landings.
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