Hot air balloon rides dependent on weather

Today’s thunderstorms may be just what the doctor ordered for Nick Stroup.
Stroup, of Silver Lake, plans to bring his hot air balloon, The Finest Hour, to Iola Friday evening as part of the Charley Melvin Mad Bomber Run For Your Life festivities.
Short rides will be offered — weather permitting — from 9 to 10:30.
The late hour, coupled with the passing storm front, leaves Stroup hopeful Friday night’s weather will cooperate.
“What we need is the high pressure system to roll in, because that should reduce the wind once the sun sets,” Stroup said.
The balloon’s envelope — the actual fabric that holds the hot air — can act as a sail if winds exceed 5 mph.
“And I’d really like 1 or 2” mph, Stroup said.
He will look at Friday evening’s forecast in the morning to determine whether the balloon will be brought to Iola.
If so, the rides will consist primarily of a takeoff and landing, Stroup said. The balloon will be tethered to a pair of vehicles parked at the intersection of Jackson and Washington avenues. Another guide rope will be held by crews on the ground.
“Safety is obviously our biggest concern,” Stroup said.
Stroup, 65, a retired police officer, has been flying hot air balloons for about 28 years.
He was like many other enthusiasts.
“I was told that if you really like your first hot air balloon ride, your second ride will cost about $30,000” — the price of buying your own balloon.
The balloon is like any other flying aircraft when it comes to the Federal Aviation Administration.
“I have to have a commercial pilot’s license to fly it, and it has its own N number,” Stroup said.
Flying a hot air balloon relies greatly on prevailing winds to determine where a flight is headed.
In some places such as New Mexico, wind directions can take a balloon right back to its takeoff point because wind directions may shift at different altitudes.
“Kansas wind is a bit trickier,” he said.
He tends to avoid flying in searing heat.
“If its over 90 degrees, it’s almost as hot outside the balloon as inside,” he said, which makes it impossible to fly.
The balloon’s other components are impressive as well. The propane-fueled burners can shoot flames 30 to 40 feet into the air.
“It definitely gets noticed,” Stroup said.