Hot Air Balloon Flight Record - 19May2012
Solo

It's been a long time since the Frozen Buns Rally in January. Weekends just haven't cooperated. Both days this weekend look good. Sunrise comes early this time of year so we showed up at 5:15 (OK, I was a few minutes late). Bob, Rudi, and Mark were already there and getting equipment out. We got a spot on the edge of the grass and parked.

Only had Leo for crew this morning but we did OK. Toward the end of cold inflation the fan sounded odd and shutdown. Rather than do anything about then, we quickly went hot before we lost too much air.

Rudi and Mark had launched first, Bob and I went off second. I SLOWLY climbed and headed SE toward the tree line then contoured the tree tops for a bit. Climbed to clear the nearby homes, crossed Boxboro Rd and descended over Flagg Hill Pond. Drifted around the pond for a while before climbing again to catch up with the others. They were further E than I was when we crossed RT 62/117. Mark landed in that area. Rudi continued to stay low and E. Bob climbed and turned SW. I headed for the river and the ultralight airport. Dropping low over the river I turned N and floated around a small bay for a while, then started climbing to follow Bob. Over Boon Lake, past the Collings foundation, past Hudson and into Marlboro.

Came down with the intent of turning SSE like before and landing at one of the industrial buildings south of Marlboro along 85. Plans don't always work! Best shift only managed a bit W of S, and then that disappeared. Back on a SW track I managed to fly between the two possible fields along South St. Going up and over the ridge I saw many possibilities on the other side. Short trip for me while the crew had to go N around the ridge!

Coming down the other side, the ridge starts providing shelter, the forward speed slows, and my track starts lining up centered between the street lights on Bracken Dr. Far side of the street is nothing but trees (no homes) so I dropped on to the street and stopped up against the curb to wait for the crew to get around the ridge and find me.