i'm not trying to be difficult. i'm just saying this wasn't a regular hot-air balloon. this was a homemade mylar balloon.
Physics are the same
A comparison between a “normal” balloon and a homemade lawnchair balloon is a matter of cubic feet of gas or air temperature inside the envelope to determine lift
a balloon does what a balloon does...drifts with the wind
An “expert” can determine a direction (different wind direction as height increases) and can usually put one down withing a mile of where he’s aiming. Plus (s)he knows the physics of lift
Fox and Hare events at balloon races are pretty interesting to watch.
You don’t believe there can be a balloon “expert”?