into the slower moving air, distorts, and starts slowing, the effect of heat loss can be masked by false lift. Even if the shear is a mild one, false lift momentarily exists. When the balloon slows enough and exits the faster moving air, the hidden false lift and dishing disappear and the balloon descends out of control. 

Some pilots intentionally create a situation of diminished capacity when making a high performance descent. In low or stable wind conditions, this can be successfully executed. However, in the presence of strong wind shears, this technique can prove disastrous. 

If a pilot is in a false lift scenario, the first action should be to continue to fly the balloon. If the situation is encountered during lift-off, or is believed to exist, the pilot should maintain a positive rate of climb until the false lift dissipates. If the false heavy scenario exists during the landing, the pilot must be prepared for an acceleration in the descent rate. An appropriate action would be to add heat to slow the descent, unless a steep approach to landing is desired. 

In reality, there is nothing false about any of these situations. They are real and may create hazardous flight dynamics. In many cases, more than one of these elements is at work. It is important for the pilot to be aware of them, their effects, and consider what actions are necessary when they are encountered. The best prevention is anticipating these conditions and maintaining situational awareness. If the conditions are extreme, it may be said that the best and first consideration is staying on the ground. 

## Landowner Relations 

An otherwise perfect flight can be marred without the use of the proper relationship skills needed to foster good landowner relations. Often neglected, these skills provide the balloon pilot the locations necessary to inflate, launch, and land. Without these properties, ballooning would be severely limited. Taking the time to explain one’s actions to a landowner, or dealing with a farmer whose livestock have been spooked by an ill-timed contour flight, can create lasting impressions that have tremendous long-term negative impact on the continued evolution of the sport. 

During the launch phase of a flight, building/landowner relations is an easy task. The pilot should select launch sites that avoid flight paths and landings around sensitive areas, such as livestock, expensive crops, nature preserves, etc. 

Once a launch site is selected, the pilot should make an effort to identify the property as public or private. Generally, school fields and local parks may be used without further inquiry unless there have been previous problems with balloons. In such a case it would be appropriate to check with the local authorities for the use of these facilities. 

Private property, however, is another issue. A balloon pilot and crew should never assume the right to use a private location to launch or recover a balloon. To do so exhibits a degree of arrogance that has no place in ballooning and subjects everyone participating to trespass laws. The landowner usually lives on the property and has paid for that right. In the event that no one is immediately available, the pilot should either select another launch site or perhaps inquire of neighbors who may be able to inform you of the landowner’s location. Finding the landowner and obtaining permission to use a particular field may be one of the most important tasks of the launch process for the crew chief, if one is assigned. Undoubtedly, the one time the pilot does not have appropriate authorization for use of a launch site and uses another’s property, someone will be watching and problems later ensue. 

The positive side of this is that most landowners welcome the balloon pilot and his crew, want to learn a little about balloons, and gladly allow the use of their property for the launch. Many see this as an opportunity and actively participate in the process. Others may grant permission, but stand back from the activity. Whichever type of landowner is encountered, they usually respond positively to a pilot and crew that respect rights and protects landowner interests. 

## Chapter Summary 

It is frequently said that every pilot sets up equipment and prepares for flight in a different manner. The purpose of this chapter is not to emphasize those differences, but rather to illustrate the underlying similarities and procedures that every balloon pilot must follow to safety begin a flight. 

