Monitoring of passengers is important because, after the balloon first touches down, passengers may forget everything they have been told. A typical response is for the passenger to place one foot in front of the other and lock the knee. This is a very bad position as the locked knee is unstable and subject to damage. Pilots should observe their passengers and order “feet together,” “front (back) of the basket,” “knees bent,” “hold on tight,” and “do not get out until I tell you.” The pilot should be a good example to passengers by assuming the correct landing position. Otherwise, passengers may think, “If the pilot does not do it, why should we.” 

It is very important that the passenger briefing be reinforced more than once. Some balloon ride companies send an agreement to their passengers in advance which includes the landing instructions. Passengers are asked to sign a statement that they have reviewed, read, and understand the landing procedure. Many pilots give passengers a briefing and landing stance demonstration on the ground before the flight. This briefing should be given again as soon as the pilot has decided to land. 

The pilot is very busy during the landing—watching the passenger’s actions and reactions, closing fuel valves, draining fuel lines, cooling the burners, and deflating the envelope. The better the passengers understand the importance of the landing procedure, the better the pilot performs these duties and makes a safe landing. 

## Recovery 

## Landowner Relations 

The greatest threat to the continued growth of ballooning is poor landowner relations. The emphasis should be to create and maintain good relations with those who own and work the land that balloonists fly over and land on. Balloon pilots must never forget that, at most landing sites, they are unexpected visitors. Balloonist may think the uninvited visit of a balloon is a great gift to individuals on the ground. The balloon pilot may not know the difference between a valuable farm crop and uncultivated land. A balloonist may not notice grazing cattle. A chase vehicle driver may drive fast down a dirt road, raising unnecessary dust. A crewmember may trample a valuable crop. 

There are several situations where a balloon pilot or crew may anger the public. When people are angered, they demand action from the local police, county sheriff, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), or an attorney. The FAA does not initiate an investigation without a complaint. The balloonist is the one who initiates a landowner relations problem. 

A balloonist can ease the effect he or she has on people on the ground. First, the pilot should develop skills to allow the 

widest possible selection of landing sites. The pilot should ensure that the crew is trained to respect the land, obey traffic laws, and be polite to everyone they come in contact with. The crew should always get permission for the balloon to land and the chase vehicle to enter private property. 

Each pilot should learn the trespass laws of his or her home area. In some states, it is very difficult for the balloon pilot and passengers to trespass, but very easy for the chase vehicle and crew to trespass. If the balloon lands on the wrong side of a locked gate or fence, the first thing the chase crew should do is try to find the landowner or resident to get permission to enter. If no one can be found, it may be necessary to carry the balloon and lift it over the fence. 

Do not cut or knock down fences, as it is probably considered trespassing. In some places, even the possession of fence- cutting and fence-repairing tools may be interpreted as possession of burglary tools, creating liabilities. Pilot and crew should have a clear understanding of what is acceptable and what is not acceptable. 

Sometimes local law enforcement officials arrive at the scene of a balloon landing site. Someone may have called them or they may have seen the balloon in the air. They may just be interested in watching the balloon (which is usually the case), or they may think a violation of the law has occurred. If law enforcement officials approach the balloon, the pilot should always be polite. Most emergency responders probably do not know much about federal law regarding aviation. However, even if they are wrong and the pilot knows they are wrong, there is no point in antagonizing them with a belligerent attitude. It is better to listen than to end up in court. 

There is a wealth of information on landowner relations issues available from the Balloon Federation of America (BFA), as well as the British Balloon and Airship Club (BBAC). The BBAC web site, www.bbac.org, has an excellent video that was produced solely to deal with the issues of landowner relations in the United Kingdom. Despite being tailored for that country, it is worth viewing by the pilot and crew in the United States. 

## Packing the Balloon 

After the crew has obtained the necessary landowner clearance to enter the landing site, the process of packing the balloon begins. Despite being the end of the flight, many pilots, as well as crew, consider this the point when the real work begins. 

Deflating the balloon is the reverse of the inflation process. The crewmember designated to handle the crown line should secure the free end of the crown line and move downwind. The pilot should turn off the burner’s pilot light and main 

