UNUSUAL FLIGHT AND TERRAIN CONDITIONS

Objective

• To familiarize the student with unusual flight conditions and the associated hazards in dual flight

Elements

• Rough and slope landings
• Short field landings
• Water landings
• Mountain flying
• Hills and rotors
• Cold weather flying
• Wind shears at high and low level
• Windy inflation and use of inflation harness
• Operation near power lines
• Approaches over obstacles
• Steep approaches
• High wind landing techniques
• Failed landing
• Ascent to 2,000 feet AGL (Private & 3,000 Commerical)

Equipment

• Airworthy balloon

Instructor’s Actions

• Preflight discussion of unusual flight conditions
• Demonstrate short field landing with emphasis on approach and go/no go decision to land
• Stress extreme danger of operation near power lines
• Demonstrate lack of depth perception over water
• Demonstrate rotor action on the lee side of hills and the effect of wind shears on envelope and burner action to open closed throat
• Review High Wind Landing pre-flight lesson plan
• Cell Phone Use

Student’s Action

• Perform each maneuver as directed
• Practice maneuvers previously introduced
• Short field landing with positive landing (steep approach)
• Observe inaccessible, rough and unsuitable landing sites
• High wind landing technique
• Recognize danger in an approach over power lines
• Do not descend over power lines
• Approach and level flight over still water
• Approach over obstacles
• Understands and uses inflation harness
• Recognition of dangers of mountain flying
• Recognition of danger of river current to submerged basket
• Flight in hilly area to observe rotor and wind shear effects on performance and flight direction
• Flight to 2,000 feet AGL (commercial - 3,000 feet AGL)
• 14 CFR (61.109.h.2.iii & 61.129.h.ii.c)
• Recognize cold weather effect on fuel pressure and fuel system

Completion Standards

The student should perform the flight maneuvers in unusual flight and terrain conditions with a high degree of understanding and proficiency.  Operational control of the balloon should be positive and indicative of good judgment and planning.  The student will be able to explain and demonstrate the techniques and precautions involved in each maneuver so that the outcome is never in serious doubt.