ptwizz Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 A couple of my colleagues were at Stuttgart airport yesterday, when they saw and filmed a hot air balloon drift gently into the airport, while aircraft continued to operate. The balloon landed in the middle of the airport, between runways. The number of security vehicles which turned out suggested this was not a planned event. I'll try to get hold of some pictures / video later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 You couldn't make that shit up !! lol Can't wait to see the clip SW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s1buell_wl Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 What happens in this case? What can he do (turn the other way and fly off?)? I'm guessing he should have set down outside the airport Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Its all bad, unless they had permission. Which is unlikely. SW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptwizz Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 [youtubevideo] [/youtubevideo]The video was taken by my colleague, Paul. He says the pilot was arrested on landing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoobySnacks Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Eep! I'm guessing he probably needed a change of underwear there! Of course, he should have set down short (say about 2.5NM short of the centre point of the longest runway) but even if he did drift in to the ATZ accidentally, he should certainly not have overflown the runways. Can only think he had some kind of problem that stopped him landing safely? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdEves Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Lack of any discussion on PPrune etc would suggest to me that it may actually have been planned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 The plot thickens. SW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoobySnacks Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 I can't see how this would be legal, or safe. If the runways were closed then I can see it, but there are obviously aircraft taking off behind the landing balloon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outkast Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 reminds me of the time james may on top gear "accidently" flew into midlands airport in a caravan balloon thing, that was set up too, so could be something along those lines, filming for a program or some such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdEves Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 The fact that they were still allowing movements probably means it was planned or at least that the pilot had two way comms with the tower and was able to follow instructions. If there were no comms or if the balloon was in trouble in some way, they'd almost certainly have stopped other movements. The safest place to be at a big airport is close to but alongside the runway in use! I used to fly a Cub into a friends field that was alongside the runway at Gatwick, literally the other side of the fence. Because the runway was east-west and I would come in from the north there was no issue and they would keep flying with me heading right for the runway and turning finals parallel with it at the last moment to land in the field. Sent from Dorset on my iPad probably whilst drinking wine, lying in the sofa using PMC Forum mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoobySnacks Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 True, as long as you are clear of the wing vortex areas at the touchdown and rotate points. Of course, it's a little different being in a light aircraft, where you have (more or less) full control in all three axes compared to a balloon where you have much less control, especially on direction. The lack of any real reporting suggests that it was planned, and I'm sure they took all precautions and it was perfectly safe. Still can't say I fancy it myself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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