Captain’s Log: Entry 005

Chapter 5 – Training flight for Randy Chiverton and Ed Weiss in the Piccard. April 9, 1977

We launched on a morning flight from the Warsaw Village Park. The Park is at the base of the hill to the west, so it is well protected. I think Ed was with me and Randy chased, planning to swap along the way. First leg of the flight was pretty routine. Coming downhill from Perry Center we slowed and were able to land standing up in the field to the southwest of Pine Tavern. Breeze was pushing a little, but we were able to switch students and take off again. It gradually became apparent that we were heading for Groveland Hill…VERY COOL! My house was right near the top of that hill, at 6699 Barber Hill Road.

As Groveland Corners passed off to our left, I noticed a couple cars apparently chasing us on the Wilson Rd, turning left on BHR. If the distance we had traveled didn’t clue me in to the speed we were moving, the cloud of dust behind those cars should have. But as we crossed the road clearing the power lines toward the field where the Lawrence’s house is now, I was thinking maybe we should keep the balloon standing and offer the folks in those cars some tethered rides. That thought evolved as we were dragging along the field. I decided to change from the vent line to the red line. There was to be no tethering that day. But that didn’t diminish the excitement of getting that close to home.

Afterward, I was struck by the memory of how calm it felt in the basket as we were approaching that landing. Well duh! In the basket it is going to feel calm…you’re moving with the wind. You’d better figure out some other way to determine your ground speed. I eventually came up the the formula: look at the ground; would your crew be able to walk and keep up with you? If so, you can make a standup landing with little drag. If they would have to jog, maybe you can keep the balloon up, but it will be bumpy and take up some distance. If they would have to run…rip it out!

If you are not sure, then have a BIG field ahead of you when you touch down.