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Balloons
typically don't land at airports. Landing
and launches from private property are common
and it is important to respect the property of
others. In the ideal situation of landing on
private property, the chase crew will have
found and asked permission of the land owner
prior to landing and will have reported this
information by radio to the pilot. Very often
this is not the case, since the pilot may have
to make the landing before all this happens.
Be extremely courteous and inform the
landowner that your crew would like permission
to land and recover the balloon. Assure them
that you will exercise caution to protect
their property and ask (if possible) if the
recovery vehicle can drive to the balloon. If
the balloon has landed in crops or is in an
inaccessible area, the balloon system may need
to be carried out. Be careful where you step
as farmers count on their crops for their
livelihood.
Most
landowners don't mind having balloons land on
their property, provided care was taken not to
produce damage. In that regard, never drive
onto private property without permission
first. Also, be aware that on-lookers may want
to follow you in. Only the recovery vehicle is
needed. Keep everyone else out.
In
a rare occasion when a landowner is upset
about the landing, communicate this to the
pilot discretely. The pilot may elect to fly
on. If it is too late for that and you are
faced with an upset landowner, do not argue
with them. Indicate to the landowner that you
will get the pilot and the pilot only will
deal with the landowner. Remember that it is
their land, and that you are trespassing!
Typically
after the balloon is packed away and the
landowners thanked, a celebration begins.
Champagne and soft drinks are served and
shared with the landowners and crew to thank
them for their help. New passengers are often
inducted into the "Aeronaut"
society. Tall stories are shared about
previous flights and new stories are written
of the recent adventure.
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Passengers often are awarded
with balloon pins or cards
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