COPYRIGHT FIREFLY HOT AIR BALLOON TEAM 2008
14th September 1996
by
Jon Francis (pilot)
My Solo Flight from Colhook Common (north of Petworth) to Little Bognor - Distance 6 nautical miles - Time 1 hour 15 minutes -
My Instructor was Brian Smith (I used his launch site) - My Crew, Rob Shannon, Lin Smith and Terry Ridler
Very light winds but a difficult inflate, wind was coming down over the trees and forced the envelope down as if an enormous weight was resting on it. A strange flight in many ways with only one up, often becalmed and often over animals.
On the appoach to rough open land I was met with mild sea breeze. There were four other balloons in the air at the time, and I was having difficulty in finding a suitable landing area. I was forced to come in over National Grid Power Lines into the only field suitable.
A perfect approach and a stand up landing.
I was passed by my Instuctor, so I thank everyone who was involved in any way during my entire training period and helped me gain my licence.
