Posted on 05/17/2016 4:06:08 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The morning was supposed to be serene and idyllic with a group of restaurant writers, bloggers and foodies soaring high over Napa’s gorgeous wine country.
Instead, Joanne Sasvari, a 40-something freelance writer for the Vancouver Sun, and her group were forced to make what she called an “unexpected” landing, before being rescued by the California Highway Patrol. That's because the winds picked up early Tuesday about 8 a.m., making it difficult for the pilot to land normally.
Still, the entire ordeal took all of about 45 minutes, she said, and no one was injured after the balloon got stranded in a slough. “We were all giggling,” Sasvari said. “The pilot was amazing. He never let on how risky it was. We just saw he was sweating.” She wouldn't call the landing an “emergency” one. Rather, because of the winds, she described what happened as “very unexpected.”
Luckily, Jim Andrews, a CHP helicopter pilot who was conducting a training session near Napa County's Lake Berryessa, spotted the balloon, and rushed in to help.
All the passengers, who are on a weeklong Robert Mondavi wine and tasting trip from Asia, Germany, Quebec, Italy and beyond, were back on the ground by 9 a.m.
13 Displaced, Three Hurt by House Fire in SF's Sunset District It was perfect timing.
No one had eaten breakfast before the 5 a.m. hotel departure, Sasvari said.
And so, everyone was ready for something to eat – and a sip or two of sparkling wine – at the Domain Chandon winery upon their safe return.
Whew, well maybe a bit of Mondavi Merlot would help calm the nerves...
Nearby KSUU was predicting wind shear values of 30kts overnight and gusts of 18 kts between 15-20z (8am-1pm).
TAF KSUU 170302Z 1703/1809 24012G18KT 9999 FEW200 QNH2982INS
BECMG 1705/1706 24012KT 9999 FEW200 WS020/36030KT QNH2983INS
BECMG 1710/1711 36012KT 9999 FEW200 QNH2981INS
TEMPO 1715/1720 36012G18KT
BECMG 1802/1803 24009KT 9999 FEW200 QNH2985INS TX33/1723Z TN15/1714Z
30kts at 2000ft for that wind shear...
Wait, I’ll be over right away...
:)
Looks yummy, eh?
...on my way...
Real pilots leave their engines on the ground!!!
PS Ex and present fighter pilots will blow my butt out of the air if they can see me. I am all plastic and if they can not see me with their eyes the sure as hell can not see me with their electronics, and I also only fly below 60 knots. That is a threat category that is not even a threat in their algorithms on their computers.
In an asymmetric warfare I would be and extreme threat in the sky with a relative unsophisticated plastic glider. I could deliver 200 kilograms of anything 200 miles inside of the United States Borders in a Glider that is virtually undetectable on radar. All you need to do is tow my glider to 25000 feet and I am good for in excess of 200 miles. Considering air speed at altitudes in the thinner air, the real intrusion would be about 300 nautical miles which is about 350 statute miles.
OK, well, maybe you can do some stealth work for the Trump Administration against the Skinnies.
Traditionally, you are supposed to have a bottle of champagne after a balloon flight when you land.
Real pilots leave their engines on the ground!!!
PS Ex and present fighter pilots will blow my butt out of the air if they can see me. I am all plastic and if they can not see me with their eyes the sure as hell can not see me with their electronics, and I also only fly below 60 knots. That is a threat category that is not even a threat in their algorithms on their computers.
In an asymmetric warfare I would be and extreme threat in the sky with a relative unsophisticated plastic glider. I could deliver 200 kilograms of anything 200 miles inside of the United States Borders in a Glider that is virtually undetectable on radar. All you need to do is tow my glider to 25000 feet and I am good for in excess of 200 miles. Considering air speed at altitudes in the thinner air, the real intrusion would be about 300 nautical miles which is about 350 statute miles.
My post was simply an explanation of how easy it is to penetrate our airs space. It is to damn easy and I do not like it, but that is the real world. We are in danger.
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