A Lesson in Patience
May 23, 2002

I launched from Coors and Montano. During inflation the fan ran out of gas so I had to borrow one from World Balloon who was launching in the same area.  How embarrassing!  Once I was upright the top would not seat correctly and there appeared to be a tangle in the lines so down I came and re-inflated and all was well.

I flew at tree top level and did two splash and dash in the mighty Rio Grande.  It was a work of art as I slowly descended to the river.  Did you know on the water is at 5,000 feet even.

I then went back up high and was just east of the river looking for a West air flow. At 5,725 it was going slowly west.  Like it took 15 minutes to cross the river.  I could not hold altitude worth a darn today.

Finally I was at 5,800 and West of the river in the open area and my instructor says "I want this balloon on the ground in a hurry as it may drift west onto Coors road."  So at 600 + FPM I fell towards the ground.  With about 100 feet to go he says use the burners to stop the descent.  With the burners wide open until just before the ground and then we a long hard vent we landed with a gentle touch. Wow! It is amazing how fast the balloon can stop falling.

Almost forgot.  After the fan was out of gas and the top would not seat, the instruments went dead on the bottom battery.  As the instruments have two batteries the top setting worked fine. And after two inflations the 15 gallons is reduced to like 12 gallons.  So upon taking off I had 65 % in one tank and 100% in the other.  Nothing like being stuck over the river and the fuel is running low.  On landing I had 5 % in one tank and 20% in the other.

A Great Lesson......