How to land a hot air balloon safely?

Hot air balloons have no fixed landing location because they fly in the direction of the wind. Therefore, the balloon pilot must actively find a landing place after a period of time.

A typical hot air balloon can stay aloft for an hour. After an hour of flying, the pilot must actively find a safe landing spot with the assistance of ground technicians.

According to Wickers World, The balloon pilot is equipped with a radio that connects him to ground technicians.. When preparing to land, the operator will contact the technical team, helping to find a suitable landing location.

A safe landing site is usually an open space, away from power lines. Typically, the landing site will be a field or vacant lot. The location should be close to a road for easy access by the ground crew.

Pilots and support technicians need to know the exact area of the landing site, which must be appropriate to the size of the balloon. Small balloons are easier to control and can land in tight spaces.

1. Landing

Once a suitable landing site has been found, the pilot opens the vents to release air from the balloon's canopy. This causes the balloon to descend. An experienced pilot can judge the speed needed for a smooth landing.

As the balloon descends, the pilot can adjust the descent speed by releasing gas or opening the burners to heat the air and slow the descent speed.

In many cases, the landing strip is so close to bushes that passengers on the balloon fear a collision. However, the pilot has complete control over the flight path.

Typically, balloonists will choose a landing site that is as flat and smooth as possible. However, this is not always possible because of the wind speed. When landing on a bumpy spot, the balloon may bounce a few times before coming to a complete stop.

Visitors should not panic as this is not dangerous. Some thrill seekers even enjoy landing on uneven terrain.

2. After landing

When the balloon comes to a complete stop, the ground staff will hold the basket for the passengers to climb down. At the same time, the operator will turn the valve all the way to release the remaining air, so that the balloon is completely deflated and can be folded.

In many countries, the landing of a hot air balloon is also a time for celebration, drinking champagne and eating bread. Champagne was originally used in France to compensate farmers who had their fields destroyed by hot air balloons.

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