AURORA CHALLENGE

I wanted to clarify Penny's understanding of the weather I encountered during my flight and her description earlier (based on the initial reports she received immediately after my landing) that the cold front moved in faster than expected etc. In tehnical terms, this is misleading. The position of the front as forecast had the front lying through Kimba/Lameroo at midnight EST and lying Port Pirie to Loxton at 4am EST which placed the front over Waikerie at 4AM EST. So my launch conditions were excellent.

The wind at Waikerie Airport 35 minutes after launch was still from the NW. Showers did not reach Waikerie Airport until about 30 minutes after launch. The front did not move through Renmark until 5AM EST. The movement of the front was accurately forecast by Don at the briefing so it did not move in faster than expected.

The weather radar only showed isolated light showers to the SW prior to launch but it cannot be ruled out that a shower did not develop ahead of the front. It must have been this shower that started just after I landed.

Weather - and the understanding of it is truly a learned science. Fronts, showers, convective type clouds and so on....

55 hours after my unplanned landing, I continue to ask myself the same question. I am still in a state of shock and disbelief. Thank you for all those who have sent me messages of support and love. I was reunited with my mobile phone late yesterday and had 58 messages, most of whom I need to call yet. And Penny - huge thanks for your help with my web site.

The whole team had been closely monitoring the weather for a week. Don Whitford, a meteorologist with over 30 years experience, knew what winds and direction I needed for the flight. We talked regularly and all met in Mildura on Saturday. I found it fascinating to look at the upper wind charts and other weather models which we ordinary folk don't get to see. The prediction for the upper winds were only 25knot winds. At this speed, it could have been difficult to make the distance. I made the decision if I don't get at least 30 knots, I would postpone for a while.

On Sunday we departed Mildura by car and plane for Waikerie Airport, my chosen launch site. John Hudson the President of the Waikerie Gliding Club was there and made us all very welcome. Cathryn, another gliding pilot also helped us settle in.

I met another local pilot who said "I saw you on Andrew Denton's show. I know what you mean about depression. My father committed suicide, I have depression and my son has it also".

His comments have generally reflected the numerous emails I have received since talking with Andrew on Enough Rope.

We spent 3 or 4 hours Sunday afternoon setting up the basket. Dennis Collins, did an excellent job securing the fuel tanks which were all still in place after the landing. We all put our heads down for a 3 hour rest/sleep before the 11.30pm briefing.

When I walked into the briefing room, Don looked up and smiled... "you have your 30 knot winds, westerlies, all the way to Canberra. No weather. All clear". We went through another briefing and I called it A GO.

Graeme Ward and the CFS arrived and set up lighting around the balloon. Thanks again guys.

Mike Kelaher inflated the balloon while I checked over all my gear, dressed in thermals, drank some hot soup and rugged up ready for a cold night.

I climbed into the basket and took over from Mike who reluctanly climbed out...(so he says) at 0110HRS I waved goodbye and lifted gently into the night sky.

Mick, MIke and Mark went back into the briefing room with Don and looked at the radar charts. All was clear. No weather, no rain at all showing.

My flight was going to plan. My instruments were reading 2920 feet.. I gave a burn, felt relaxed and decided to get my skeds paperwork ready, reached down to get my satellite phone to call Dennis. When I stood up again I felt the air change around my face, and not long soon after that, the balloon make contact. I immediately turned off my pilot lights to avert any possible fire. The balloon felt like it was sliding down a tree trunk with branches breaking off. When it came to rest on the ground, I picked up my large spotlight and saw that I was only meters from the edge of a bitumen road (relief that my crew would be able to find me). I shone the light up and the top of my beautiful new balloon was draped over a 50 foot gum tree.

I called Dennis on the phone and told him I was on the ground. It felt like one of the hardest things I ever had to do. My sense of letting everyone down was overwhelming. While I was still talking with Dennis, car lights appeared and I jumped out of the basket and waved my spotlight. Three Aussie guys returning from 3 days of fishing stopped. As I was telling them what happened it started to rain. We took shelter in their campervan with their boat trailer behind, while I waited for my team. Their Aussie sense of humour and their coffee (which I don't normally drink till lunchtime)kept me holding it all together.

When my three chase crew vehicles arrived, my sons, Mark and Grant, insisted I go for a check up at the nearest hospital, about a 20 minute drive. When we arrived, the rain was teaming down.

The doctor confirmed my lungs were okay... my right side where I bounced against the basket was very tender. Badly bruised I would think, he said.
Don't think you have any broken ribs but if you are still sore after 3 or 4 weeks, you may have cracked a rib.

We then drove on to Mildura. Meanwhile the team retrieved the balloon and later that day, Dennis and Margaret headed back to Canberra with the balloon, trailer and gear.

Yesterday I drove back to Sydney with my sons, Mark and Grant, who were just so loving and supportive. It was a long day - a 12 hour drive but I did not want to fly...I needed to be in their presence, to feel their love and care. A survivor's need.

My initial reaction as I waited for my team to collect me at the landing area was "this is the end of my ballooning". I am slowly recovering my mental strength. My physical body will be healed very quickly.

When we went through a debrief Monday evening, the consensus from 5 fixed wing pilots, 2 balloon pilots and our experienced met man was that presented with the same met report and weather conditions on show, we would still call the flight.

I wake in the night and keep asking myself the question...why would one rain cell blow up and form, hit my balloon, pour with rain and disappear leaving seemingly perfect flying conditions in a starry sky? Where is my lesson in this experience?

As I write this, I am looking at a sign on the wall nearby which says BOUNCE... (HOW APPROPRIATE)

Bad feelings go away again.
Other people can help you to feel better if you talk to them.
Unhelpful thinking makes you feel more upset.
Nobody is perfect. Mistakes help you learn.
Concentrate on the good things and have a laugh.
Everybody feels sad and worried sometimes, not just you.

I will work to BOUNCE BACK.
Ruth

This morning's events truly reflect how ballooning is at the gift of nature, not of the plans of man.

Bad weather has forced Ruth down. A roadside tree won't forget her landing for a while, but Ruth is doing well, with only a few bumps and bruises. She is currently on her way back to Mildura for rest and a debrief with her support team.

Needless to say she is disappointed. The cold front moved in faster than expected, and rather than capitalising on the fast winds preceeding it, Ruth and her beautiful balloon, Aurora, were overtaken and forced down. Nature has it's own way of letting everyone know who's the boss!! World records aren't records because they are easy to achieve!!

We're all proud of Ruth for her achievement regardless. Her spirit to do, achieve, and try what most never dream about is truly remarkable.

Speedy recovery Ruth, and we look forward to hearing from you soon.
Penny.

CONGRATULATIONS RUTH!

Ruth successfully launched Aurora at 1.10am this morning.

The launch went very smoothly. The weather was calm, skies were clear and the moon was just setting on the horizon. Aurora glowed on the launch site as Ruth did her final flight checks, final safety checks and final crew checks before giving the "hands off" announcement to the launch crew.

As Aurora sailed up into the night sky, Ruth deftly guided her gently through the inky darkness. The small crowd on the launch site watched as Aurora's glow flickered with every burner blast during it's ascent. High altitude is where the high winds are - and this is what Ruth will be chasing.

Ruth's chase teams have now set off to follow and anticipate the balloons direction. Their goal is to be right beside her when she lands.
Mick and Margaret Toller are supporting her in the air by fixed wing aircraft.
Susan and Mike Kelaher are in one chase vehicle;
Dennis and Margaret Collins are in another.
Mark and Grant Wilson are in the third chase car
and Ian Macdonald will be shortly setting off from Canberra to assist in a forth.

With this fantastic support, enhanced by Ruths control centre in Canberra and meteorological updates, at least one chase vehicle should be there when she lands .... the question is: which one!!?

More news at breakfast-time.
Penny

Weather conditions are still looking great for a launch in the next few hours. Ground conditions are calm, the sky is clear.

Launch time in Waikerie S.A. is still set for 1am eastern standard time - 12.30am local S.A. time.

It is estimated that Ruth's progress will be approximately 50kms an hour. Her direction will generally be north easterly, but may veer further north towards Cowra or Orange, or a little further south towards Yass. But balloons being as they are, ie at the mercy of the wind, it is impossible to say where she may be at any given time.

Today the crew finalised the configuration of the basket where Ruth will spend 12 hours or more. Ruth will be taking 12 tanks in total - 5 inside the basket and 7 strapped outside on the burner frame. Total gas capacity is 730 litres of LPG kindly supported by Elgas. These tanks have been pressurised with Nitrogen to maximise capacity.

Each square cm of space in the basket has been planned to ensure Ruth has everything she may need to survive the length and height of the flight. As she anticipates flying up to 12,000 feet, oxygen is tucked into one corner.

Insulation for batteries and drinks are tucked into another corner - temperatures could reach as low as -10 degrees Celsius. To endure these low temperatures Ruth will be rugged up with layers of thermal and arctic weather gear.

Communications equipment has been carefully packed into another corner - VHF & UHF radio communications, a satellite phone, mobile phone, various cameras, a transponder for communicating in controlled air space, and a barograph flight recorder are amongst some of the specialised equipment Ruth will need.

Food storage and a mini stool have also been incorporated into the basket configuration to give Ruth the chance to rest and her legs and restore her energy. Phil Kavanagh has built a extension burner control system to give Ruths arm respite - holding your arm above your head to control the burners would get a little tiring after a while!! Ruth also has a harness to keep her in the basket in case of a fast or rough landing.

The team is now trying to catch some sleep before final briefing and launch. Only a few hours to go!!
Penny.