Studying for my commercial LTA

Took off in a balloon once, didn't land in it though...
 
Capt-Dave said:
New guy here, just wanted to say hello. I am a private pilot with an LTA rating, any other LTA guys out there? I earned my private back in 2006 but just recently made the decision to work toward my commercial LTA. I have my hours but need to get through the written so its back to the books. :)
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Welcome to PoA. He'll probably chime in when he sees this thread, but PoA member KSCessnaDriver has a commercial LTA rating in airships.
 
You know what I've always wondered?

How the heck do you control the direction of flight in a balloon and then eventually land? Do you just arbitrarily pick a field that you suppose the wind might take you to? I imagine your flight depends solely on the direction of the wind and how much propane/fuel you have available versus how high you would like to, er, float.
 
HerrGruyere said:
You know what I've always wondered?

How the heck do you control the direction of flight in a balloon and then eventually land? Do you just arbitrarily pick a field that you suppose the wind might take you to? I imagine your flight depends solely on the direction of the wind and how much propane/fuel you have available versus how high you would like to, er, float.
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Winds aloft vary and change. Occasionally you can get days where you can take off, travel one direction for a while, change altitude and direction, and then land pretty close to where you launched from. But usually it's a one way trip.
 
Jim Logajan said:
Welcome to PoA. He'll probably chime in when he sees this thread, but PoA member KSCessnaDriver has a commercial LTA rating in airships.
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Yup, that's me. Commercial LTA-Airship. Thought about doing the Free Balloon rating, but just can't justify it now. Maybe down the road when I've got some more money.
 
EdFred said:
Winds aloft vary and change. Occasionally you can get days where you can take off, travel one direction for a while, change altitude and direction, and then land pretty close to where you launched from. But usually it's a one way trip.
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Thought so. Thanks!
 
Welcome to POA.



Just out of curiosity, how do you log hours? I assume you don't have a hobbs meter, so do you just use your watch?
 
Capt-Dave said:
Actually you might be surprised just how much steerage there is in a balloon. Wind tends to layer like a cake and the better your current knowledge of these layers the more prepared you are to direct your flight. Keep in mind like all pilots a good weather briefing is essential however small changes in the wind direction within the first couple thousand feet of the ground are hard to predict and often not as accurate as one would like.

We send small helium balloons aloft just before takeoff and track their altitude, speed and direction of flight. Often you will see a left or right bend in the small balloons ascension indicating a change of wind direction aloft. Once off the ground if we would like to take advantage of this change in wind direction we will lift into the layer of wind that is our desired direction of flight.

I use another extremely scientific method :D to watch for changes in wind direction below me. I always carry a can of shaving cream. A good squirt over the side will give you a great visual as the cream heads for the ground. If your looking for a left turn and you see your shaving cream drifting towards the left you'd better drop down and grab that wind direction while the going is good.

Flying a ballon is extremely peaceful, remember you are not moving through an air mass like you would be in your fixed wing but rather with the air mass. It is quiet (except during burns) and often you can hear people talking on the ground several hundred feet below you. If your looking for something a little different in your flying career you might give ballooning a try. Like all flight it keeps you on your toes and can be a lot of fun.
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Welcome, interesting post, learned a few points.. I've never gone on a hot air balloon I need to..
 
Capt-Dave said:
Actually you might be surprised just how much steerage there is in a balloon. Wind tends to layer like a cake and the better your current knowledge of these layers the more prepared you are to direct your flight. Keep in mind like all pilots a good weather briefing is essential however small changes in the wind direction within the first couple thousand feet of the ground are hard to predict and often not as accurate as one would like.

We send small helium balloons aloft just before takeoff and track their altitude, speed and direction of flight. Often you will see a left or right bend in the small balloons ascension indicating a change of wind direction aloft. Once off the ground if we would like to take advantage of this change in wind direction we will lift into the layer of wind that is our desired direction of flight.

I use another extremely scientific method :D to watch for changes in wind direction below me. I always carry a can of shaving cream. A good squirt over the side will give you a great visual as the cream heads for the ground. If your looking for a left turn and you see your shaving cream drifting towards the left you'd better drop down and grab that wind direction while the going is good.

Flying a ballon is extremely peaceful, remember you are not moving through an air mass like you would be in your fixed wing but rather with the air mass. It is quiet (except during burns) and often you can hear people talking on the ground several hundred feet below you. If your looking for something a little different in your flying career you might give ballooning a try. Like all flight it keeps you on your toes and can be a lot of fun.
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That's pretty interesting. It makes me want to give it a try. Thanks.

-Rich
 
Capt-Dave said:
Actually you might be surprised just how much steerage there is in a balloon. Wind tends to layer like a cake and the better your current knowledge of these layers the more prepared you are to direct your flight. Keep in mind like all pilots a good weather briefing is essential however small changes in the wind direction within the first couple thousand feet of the ground are hard to predict and often not as accurate as one would like.

We send small helium balloons aloft just before takeoff and track their altitude, speed and direction of flight. Often you will see a left or right bend in the small balloons ascension indicating a change of wind direction aloft. Once off the ground if we would like to take advantage of this change in wind direction we will lift into the layer of wind that is our desired direction of flight.

I use another extremely scientific method :D to watch for changes in wind direction below me. I always carry a can of shaving cream. A good squirt over the side will give you a great visual as the cream heads for the ground. If your looking for a left turn and you see your shaving cream drifting towards the left you'd better drop down and grab that wind direction while the going is good.

Flying a ballon is extremely peaceful, remember you are not moving through an air mass like you would be in your fixed wing but rather with the air mass. It is quiet (except during burns) and often you can hear people talking on the ground several hundred feet below you. If your looking for something a little different in your flying career you might give ballooning a try. Like all flight it keeps you on your toes and can be a lot of fun.
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That was a great answer and an insightful post. Many thanks!
 
Capt-Dave said:
Back when I was working towards my LTA Free Balloon rating I was given the wrong test at the testing center. I took the LTA-Airship test rather then the Free Balloon. In my defense I can report that I passed the Airship test but only because of my fixed wing training and I scored much higher once I took the correct LTA-Balloon test.

If this ever happens to you, keep your mouth shut about it! To this day I'm referred to as "Dirigible Dave" around my flying buddies. A nickname I'm sure I'll carry from here on out. :D
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Haha. I didn't take the written for LTA, just added it to my preexisting commercial fixed wing ticket.
 
I still wonder though, how do you precisely put it down where you want? Really seems like a challenge to me. Is it all about guessing your wind drift and angle of decent?
 
ProspectingCFI said:
I still wonder though, how do you precisely put it down where you want? Really seems like a challenge to me. Is it all about guessing your wind drift and angle of decent?
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It is really simple... if you have a non-precise definition of "precise!"

"Where are we landing?"

"Down there somewhere!"

:D :D :D :D

Seriously, that's where the skill comes in!

-Skip
 
RJM62 said:
That's pretty interesting. It makes me want to give it a try. Thanks.

-Rich
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I've been once, definitely a cool experience. We had a van follow us on the ground. After 45 minutes of flying or so, set her down in a soccer field.
 
ProspectingCFI said:
I still wonder though, how do you precisely put it down where you want? Really seems like a challenge to me. Is it all about guessing your wind drift and angle of decent?
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You can turn a bit with altitude but the easiest way is to drift along not too far over treetop height and when you happen to drift over a suitable field, just bring it on down.
 
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