Back to front again...
So for the want to verify the integrity of my balloon envelope and to run a bunch of cameras in what was a sucker hole day for winds I stayed on the ground.
and I missed a chance to fly.
Okay, so there were some very reasonable reasons... I was planning flying a very lightweight balloon that acts quite differently with excessive winds. Especially on inflation. I would have to have gotten the balloon standing up and launched quickly. I had no desire to sit high in the air for a long time to get to where I would need to be to land as safely and gently as I wanted. I wanted to take the time to check the balloon out to make sure she was not hiding any unknown damage.
So I get to punch myself up a bit on that.
That was Sunday morning.
It was supposed to be 3mph going Southwest. What we got was gusts from zero to seven-ish on the ground, a slightly faster layer just above and a calm layer up around five hundred feet then another speedy wind above that going Northish.
Quite doable if all you wanted to do was go fly and muddle around at altitude.
I wanted something different.
And there you go.
So now I have to figure out a time to pull out and inflate the envelope where I can look it over and then if possible fly or fly another day after I check her out.
I did get some pictures...
We were almost the first there, Picked a nice spot and watched everyone else struggle with their inflations and crazy launches. We helped everyone around us get in the air. Patturns In Czech just got to sit there. Small and lonely.
Half an envelope. Even standing up the winds were pushing the balloon into a sail. That's how I got two melted panels the weekend before.
Once off the ground, they all looked nice as they climbed for some calmer air. They did and some had wonderful landings and one of our own soloing even got back to the same field he launched from.
Watching the spillover clouds on the mountains.
We almost did it when it calmed down for a longer than the normal seven minutes but then it got windy-er. More ER.
So we bagged it, packed up and went for bagels.
Yesterday we got Mo in the air for a training flight. A nice inflation day but a crazy quick wind up high going Northeast! His landing was picture perfect(ish) as he landed somewhat short of the road but better than hitting a wall or fence.
Here are some shots of that day...
Shawn with Bob I think having a bit of fun cutting across the Sandias looking for a good place to set down. They did nicely.
Mo, coming into his final just South of a nice road. It had houses on the other side with walls and fences. Alan is trying to reel him in. Didn't work.
They walked him up the hill and onto the road and laid it down there. Lots of sticky bushes on the left side I had to roll the fabric off so it didn't get to poking holes through.
A pre-landing landing after a fast descent test. Mojo glows nicely is the crappy light.
A good day for them.
Some of the outtakes I took while wandering around because it's not always all about hot air balloons...
I loved the gates and the walls. The colors and the textures were so very nice. Even the patina on the gates themselves was excellent.
Super great detail on this feather. Only took five shots to get the focus right.
Another fun one for the Sony RX10V4 to deal with. Which flower is in focus. It was nice and easy to select that very tiny flower out and lock onto it then recompose.
We call this the snake house as it is one writhing tube with little adits off it and a garage. So very weird. I mean.. if it was me wanting to waste so much money making such a strange abode I would have hidden the square garage somewhere and not have it just this chunk of gray and then I would also not have had it be so close to the neighbors who have it as a lovely view out their windows from ten feet away. Hay.. takes many crazy people to make things interesting.. or chaotic.. whichever.
Someone give me a grant. I have a very good idea for a home that would enhance and blend into this beautiful landscape.
"shrugs"
I've worked on getting my stereo back to operation. I will not bore you with the details as I have already driven every one of my friends to distraction with it...ad nauseam.
I need some shelf supports and some speakers. Both I plan to rectify this week.
Then it's back to the main list of things needing doing.
Why is the stereo so important... because its something I can deal with and make right.
Much better than punching walls. Cathartic?
*
Lastly.. cause I have always wanted to run with this subject... what is correct etiquette for
( uncontrolled ) launch sites.
Today it was awesome as everyone to line up with space between each vehicle and enough space to inflate with some closeness but not on top of each other... I try to respect peoples space.. but some people are totally clueless and will park right behind or directly next to you and start setting up.. who does that??? How rude!!
Just terrible!!! Just kidding on the picture but it was perfect for my illustration of... WTH. Thoughts?
My repairs. I do not like that that happened. I would rather it didn't and I would have loved to just replace both whole panels but you do what needs doing. Due to the nature of the fabric of the balloon and at the throat and how fragile it is to heat it's bound to happen in high wind inflations... so I am avoiding high wind inflations from now on! ... with this envelope...
Double sigh.
Now a full week of work and much to do or deal with. See, I have a tower next to my office I want down. Why you ask? Because it's not needed and it needs obstruction lights to have up. There is no safe way to replace the lights now. There is also no reason for that tall a tower. The rule for safety is. Remove the danger. So its gotta go. This week we will ( we..hah! Il be on the ground while the guys deal with it because I have not been to refresher training yet ) remove the climb assist device and remove the top segment then drop down and remove the guy wires and drop that segment then drop down and remove the third and last segment. That will leave just a short tower to support the wind system that is needed.
That's one thing this week to deal with...
Its like juggling cats and somewhere in between they change them to water buffalo.
Fun huh!
Hope you all have as much fun this week too!!
