I don't understand pomposity

Why must things be harder than they are?

There are people in aviation (I might as well tick off everyone instead of just balloonists) that feel like they inflate their own importance by making things more complicated to get into their sport than it has to be.

Take the balloon instructor who says "10 hours is not enough time: I'll require my student to fly at least 15 or 20 before solo". Or the guy who insists "the FAA requires that every time, the altimeter has to be set to field elevation". I could go on, but these are not, in my view, requirements.

There are guidelines, which make a lot of sense, like "use a pibal at the launch field"; "confine flights to 2 hours after sunrise or 2 hours before sunset"; "don't fly within 30 miles of a thunderstorm".

There are FAA rules like the hemispheric rule for altitude enroute. Think about it. What is your airspeed? Won't a plane close on you at exactly the same speed from any direction?

Quote for me chapter and verse of where the FAA says setting to zero at launch is not acceptable. You have to know where you are and what your plans are. Over 3000 feet AGL, in airspace under ATC, or in rapidly changing surface elevations...yeah, you should (and sometimes must) use MSL. Over flat terrain, under 3000 feet AGL..tell me why!! Your main concern is staying at Minimum Safe Altitudes, clearing cattle, etc.

It seems as though the standard for accuracy in altimeter setting is plus or minus 200 feet for annual inspection purposes.

You will have more accurate information as to the FAA requirements under many circumstances if you set to zero. Incidentally, I was called on this on my last flight with an inspector for examiner renewal. I gave him the same challenge I just gave you & have not gotten an answer in almost two years. Maybe it wasn't very important....or maybe there is no requirement.

In short, 7 or 8 hours can be enough to solo; you don't have to set to field elevation; you can launch safely without a tie-off.

You do need to be aware of what is going on around you. You need to keep a deep interest in your sport. You need to listen to the advice given by everyone, not just those saying what you want to hear. You (and I) must never stop learning, but also remember that ballooning is not brain surgery. Let's not make it so hard or mysterious that we keep new people out.

If we do, who will take us for a flight on our 90th birthday?

Pete Asp

2000