Unauthorised balloon jumps

[yoink 321]

It's a stupid idea for about a dozen reasons.

If you really want to make a bandit balloon jump, get friendly with the pilots at a local club the same way you would do at a dz. Show up at weekends, ask if you can help them with anything, do the grunt work, buy beers and eventually let slip that you're a skydiver and would love to make a jump one day. Put the time into actually getting to know the people and procedures... lots of weekends is my point, not just being an asshole tourist who wants whatever they can get.

Don't be pissed off of 99% say no.

Do your research on how a balloon should be flying to drop off sky and show that you're considerate of the risks the pilot will be taking.

Make DAMN sure that you've walked the area you're intending to land in. Not just 'I've seen that hill from the road' familiar. If you fuck up the landing or hit an obstacle the pilot is going to be in the shit and it'll be YOUR fault.
Make sure you can spot and DO NOT get out if you're not in the right spot.

Make sure you have the experience and gear that is appropriate to the conditions and landing area.
etc etc.


Just getting in a balloon and then sneakily trying to bail out of it is being a massive asshole and endangering other people.


From some of your other posts I'm guessing you have about 30 jumps and are looking for something 'more exciting' and don't have the licence requirements to make a legitimate balloon jump?

Improvising a balloon jump isn't for you.

[BigMark 1]

I saved a balloon from going into some trees on a windy day, after that I ground crewed for them (big time work if you have to tarp) and did about 20-30 jumps from various sized balloons they owned. This first one was a Two man Balloon, I don't recommend that! Actually got to jump around my home, it was super cool...

[MikeJD 0]

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You book a hot air balloon ride across your local area, over countryside you're kind of familiar with. You arrive nice and early on a chilly autumn morning wearing a long coat.

Expect you've got the message by now - it's unlikely you could get away with this, and it'd be extremely foolish and irresponsible to try.

But your mention of the coat reminds me of seeing a balloon load of skydivers about to take off one cold morning at Eloy. I noticed one of them was wearing a long coat over his rig and thought that looked a little dubious, so I approached to remind him (jokingly and rather obviously) not to forget to take it off before exit. He assured me he wouldn't, and it was only later that day I found out the main reason for the coat - he was jumping naked.

[DougH 270]

I have jumped naked in the nice lush New England area, and I have jumped ballons in Eloy a number of times.

But I must be a complete wimp because I have no desire to jump naked from a ballon in Eloy. The ground is to hard, no nice green soft grass, and there is a ton of prickly shit out there!

"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall"
=P

[JohnMitchell 14]

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I have jumped naked in the nice lush New England area, and I have jumped ballons in Eloy a number of times.

But I must be a complete wimp because I have no desire to jump naked from a ballon in Eloy. The ground is to hard, no nice green soft grass, and there is a ton of prickly shit out there!

Smart man.
I've never jumped naked. Don't you worry about possible entanglement?

[DougH 270]

Personally John I try to avoid deploying between my legs.

I'll let the freeflyers and hot shots pull off the between the legs extreeeeeeeeeeeeme gainer deployments.

"The restraining order says you're only allowed to touch me in freefall"
=P

[ryoder 1,384]

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I've never jumped naked. Don't you worry about possible entanglement?

Or the friction burn from the grass as you plane out your swoop!

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[INSANEDADDY 0]

It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than it is for permission.

You dont't get to choose how you're going to die. Or when.......You can only decide how you're going to live........NOW.
-BASE 1605 Night BASE 227

[missbrz 0]

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It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than it is for permission.

Normally I love that phrase. It works so well in most cases.

It doesn't work when you can hurt or possibly kill others like in this case though. Better to ask permission if you are going to possibly endanger others.

[rss_v 0]

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It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than it is for permission.

Normally I love that phrase. It works so well in most cases.

It doesn't work when you can hurt or possibly kill others like in this case though. Better to ask permission if you are going to possibly endanger others.

This thread has give me a number of reasons not to attempt this, but the risk of physically harming anyone else seems completely insubstantial. I might well emotionally distress them, yes, and piss them off a great deal. But I don't imagine that the integrity or balance of a hot-air balloon is really comprimised when it loses, what, less than 10% of its load. Nor is it going to then be too light and drift off into space.

[piisfish 135]

you don't know much about balloons do you ?

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[wolfriverjoe 1,340]

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This thread has give me a number of reasons not to attempt this, but the risk of physically harming anyone else seems completely insubstantial. I might well emotionally distress them, yes, and piss them off a great deal. But I don't imagine that the integrity or balance of a hot-air balloon is really comprimised when it loses, what, less than 10% of its load. Nor is it going to then be too light and drift off into space.

Do a little research on balloons. 10% of the load is quite a bit. The balloon has to be in an almost perfect state of equillibrium to hold level flight. It will definitely have an effect.
There's a very good reason they have the flight profile for exit that they do.

And do you really think the pilot would be stupid enough to not be suspicious of your "long coat with a big lump under it?"

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[Malta_Dog 0]

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It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than it is for permission.

Normally I love that phrase. It works so well in most cases.

It doesn't work when you can hurt or possibly kill others like in this case though. Better to ask permission if you are going to possibly endanger others.

This thread has give me a number of reasons not to attempt this, but the risk of physically harming anyone else seems completely insubstantial. I might well emotionally distress them, yes, and piss them off a great deal. But I don't imagine that the integrity or balance of a hot-air balloon is really comprimised when it loses, what, less than 10% of its load. Nor is it going to then be too light and drift off into space.

Disclaimer: I'm not a balloonist but I can say with certainty that you're deadly wrong there.

Most hot air ballons (not the competition balloons) are shaped like an inverted water drop, because their max rate of ascent is much lower than their max rate of descent.

If you jump from the balloon while it is not descending, the substantial loss of ballast (=you) will make it literally shoot up. Air above the enveloppe will create an aerodynamic resistance equivalent to higher pressure forcing the hot air out of the enveloppe by the hole below. The amount of hot air lost may be sufficient to induce an irrecoverable rate of descent depending to outside air t°, alt of the balloon at the moment of the jump and efficiency of the burners.

Worse: the shot-up effect and aerodynamic resistance may be enough to disrupt/damage the parachute valve on top of the enveloppe, letting hot air escape inexorably and dooming the balloon and its occupants.

This is also basically why hot air balloons ususally fly around dawn and dusk times, when the air is calm because turbulence can cause them the same troubles.


What happens when rate of ascent is too high:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Somerset_hot_air_balloon_crash


edited to correct rate of climb with rate of ascent

All your dropzone are belong to us!!!!111!

[CSpenceFLY 1]

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It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than it is for permission.

Normally I love that phrase. It works so well in most cases.

It doesn't work when you can hurt or possibly kill others like in this case though. Better to ask permission if you are going to possibly endanger others.

This thread has give me a number of reasons not to attempt this, but the risk of physically harming anyone else seems completely insubstantial. I might well emotionally distress them, yes, and piss them off a great deal. But I don't imagine that the integrity or balance of a hot-air balloon is really comprimised when it loses, what, less than 10% of its load. Nor is it going to then be too light and drift off into space.

Do you have a learning disability or a reading comprehension problem?

[popsjumper 2]

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A friend and I considered this several years back, but we didn't for the following reasons...

a) Endangerment of the other passengers and pilot due to sudden weight difference in the basket.

b) The Police being called to look for the 'body' of a suicide jump. (If they didn't see you exit how are they to know you're wearing a rig.

c) In the UK these flights are often full of Saga types waiting to enjoy strawberries and champers, you could seriously give someone a heart attack.

d) Its illegal and jumping in the day you're likely to get caught if the pilot calls 999.

e) Tickets to do this legally are easy enough to obtain either here or in Spain or for a good holiday in the USA or elsewhere.

....

In the U.S. you miss out on the champaign on landing.

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[rss_v 0]

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Do you have a learning disability or a reading comprehension problem?

If I have the former then I may well not be aware of having either. It does seem likely.

[NWFlyer 2]

Since "regular skydiving" bores you so much, find something else to spend your money and time on rather than coming up with ill-conceived schemes to make it "more fun."

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[mjosparky 3]

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This thread has give me a number of reasons not to attempt this, but the risk of physically harming anyone else seems completely insubstantial. I might well emotionally distress them, yes, and piss them off a great deal. But I don't imagine that the integrity or balance of a hot-air balloon is really comprimised when it loses, what, less than 10% of its load. Nor is it going to then be too light and drift off into space.

You should go for it….just think you would be famous. Stupid but famous.

Sparky

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[oldwomanc6 38]

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This thread has give me a number of reasons not to attempt this, but the risk of physically harming anyone else seems completely insubstantial. I might well emotionally distress them, yes, and piss them off a great deal. But I don't imagine that the integrity or balance of a hot-air balloon is really comprimised when it loses, what, less than 10% of its load. Nor is it going to then be too light and drift off into space.

You should go for it….just think you would be famous. Stupid but famous.

Sparky

I was thinking: Stupid, but FABULOUS!

No, you had it right, just plain stupid. Famous doesn't mean anything once you killed, not only everybody on the balloon, but yourself as well.

@ rss_v : You got us all riled up, because what you are proposing is very dangerous, even if it does not kill anyone, it is likely to land your ass in jail. Good trolls don't propose things like this. This is not bowling.

lisa
WSCR 594
FB 1023
CBDB 9

[mjosparky 3]

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@ rss_v : You got us all riled up, because what you are proposing is very dangerous, even if it does not kill anyone, it is likely to land your ass in jail. Good trolls don't propose things like this. This is not bowling.

I am not sure but I think I smell roast troll.

Sparky

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4361387#4361387

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4366349#4366349

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4339921#4339921

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4345112#4345112

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4360436#4360436

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4340411#4340411

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[oldwomanc6 38]

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@ rss_v : You got us all riled up, because what you are proposing is very dangerous, even if it does not kill anyone, it is likely to land your ass in jail. Good trolls don't propose things like this. This is not bowling.

I am not sure but I think I smell roast troll.

Sparky

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4361387#4361387

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4366349#4366349

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4339921#4339921

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4345112#4345112

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4360436#4360436

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4340411#4340411

Thank you, Mike. Proof positive that anything that rss_v says is bad troll.

lisa
WSCR 594
FB 1023
CBDB 9

[rss_v 0]

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@ rss_v : You got us all riled up, because what you are proposing is very dangerous, even if it does not kill anyone, it is likely to land your ass in jail. Good trolls don't propose things like this. This is not bowling.

I am not sure but I think I smell roast troll.

Sparky

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4361387#4361387

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4366349#4366349

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4339921#4339921

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4345112#4345112

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4360436#4360436

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=4340411#4340411

wtf, what's wrong with those posts?? They're all perfectly reasonable and normal discussions about skydiving.

I'm not "trolling" - sure, I predicted this question would see some passionate responses, but it was still a genuine question. There are loads of things I would never ask my DZ in person, and aren't you glad I did ask someone at all instead of just trying it?

[nigel99 143]

If you're serious about jumping and don't like the UK prices, go to the US during boogie season and rack up a bunch of exotic jumps. St Patrick's boogie had balloon jumps (from this thread you might not be welcomed onto the balloon though!!

Just remember a low time jumper dodging rules is normally the most likely person to end up dead.

Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

[Skyrad 0]

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It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than it is for permission.

Normally I love that phrase. It works so well in most cases.

It doesn't work when you can hurt or possibly kill others like in this case though. Better to ask permission if you are going to possibly endanger others.

This thread has give me a number of reasons not to attempt this, but the risk of physically harming anyone else seems completely insubstantial. I might well emotionally distress them, yes, and piss them off a great deal. But I don't imagine that the integrity or balance of a hot-air balloon is really comprimised when it loses, what, less than 10% of its load. Nor is it going to then be too light and drift off into space.

Disclaimer: I'm not a balloonist but I can say with certainty that you're deadly wrong there.

Most hot air ballons (not the competition balloons) are shaped like an inverted water drop, because their max rate of ascent is much lower than their max rate of descent.

If you jump from the balloon while it is not descending, the substantial loss of ballast (=you) will make it literally shoot up. Air above the enveloppe will create an aerodynamic resistance equivalent to higher pressure forcing the hot air out of the enveloppe by the hole below. The amount of hot air lost may be sufficient to induce an irrecoverable rate of descent depending to outside air t°, alt of the balloon at the moment of the jump and efficiency of the burners.

Worse: the shot-up effect and aerodynamic resistance may be enough to disrupt/damage the parachute valve on top of the enveloppe, letting hot air escape inexorably and dooming the balloon and its occupants.

This is also basically why hot air balloons ususally fly around dawn and dusk times, when the air is calm because turbulence can cause them the same troubles.


What happens when rate of ascent is too high:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Somerset_hot_air_balloon_crash


edited to correct rate of climb with rate of ascent

Great post

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[Skyrad 0]

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This thread has give me a number of reasons not to attempt this, but the risk of physically harming anyone else seems completely insubstantial. I might well emotionally distress them, yes, and piss them off a great deal. But I don't imagine that the integrity or balance of a hot-air balloon is really comprimised when it loses, what, less than 10% of its load. Nor is it going to then be too light and drift off into space.

You should go for it….just think you would be famous. Stupid but famous.

Sparky

I think the word you're looking for is infamous.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca