Aerostation 
 The Art of Ballooning 

Hot Air Balloon Flight Record - 08-10Jul2011
Ally&Joe, Dan&Carmen, Jeff

Launch:  Stowe, VT - Stoweflake Inn   Duration:  0:50, 0:50, 1:05
Land:  Local   Distance:  1.80, 3.14, 4.52
Link To: Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa
<<Prev     Next>>

Map of the flight


This is a Google Earth version of the track and should open in your local Google Earth. For more information or to install Google Earth on your system, go to Google Earth.

Photo upload to Shutterfly (work in progress 12Jul11)

Friday evening the wind direction didn't look good, too much north, not enough west. Local knowledge says it should slow and turn NW as we get closer to sunset so we set up the balloon to be ready for a launch. Sure enough, by the time we were ready to turn on the fan the winds had started to drop and turn. By the time we were standing a couple of balloons were off and heading NW up the valley so we launched. Across the driving range full of golf balls, over the corner of the golf course and along Cape Cod Rd. Some balloons landed in the fields along Mayo Farm Rd but we continued on to the old polo fields. Rather than drive on the field we chose to use the cart, but found the tires had lost all air! Helped Joseph Hamilton (Joe was chasing) into the field and they helped carry our basket out.

Saturday morning looked good and they started with a memorial inflation/launch for Harry. Others were cold inflated and we were just ready for the fan when I felt a breeze from the wrong direction. Surface winds reversed 180 and picked up, making it exciting for several partially inflated balloons. We went out to help others by providing ballast against the wind!

Saturday evening I have a proposal (and hopefully engagement) suprise flight. While everyone else hung around the field initially, we started out SW with a Stoweflake balloon and a couple others. Approaching 100 we dropped into the valley and thought we would shift down the valley, but crossed just N of the Commodore and continued SW. Over the top of the hill quickly, we slowed as we approached Stowe Hollow Rd a found a large field next to a large yard for a stand up landing. The chase eventually found the right back roads to get the long way around to us. Nice area, no straight roads to follow though. Carmen said yes so it was an extremely good flight!

Sunday morning was light winds to the NE-ENE and clear skies. Down low we went N initially before climbing to cross the north edge of the golf course and head E into the valley. We were over the polo fields so landing there would be difficult (turn N during descent) so we continued across 100 before dropping to head NE. Other balloons showed we should turn NW down low and we sort of did, but ended up heading SE into an open field.


<<Prev     Next>>


[ HOME ]

Comments or questions? Contact us

This page modified: August 14 2023 16:52:50.