Cappadocian Fields

For Experienced Pilots Only

Hot air balloon pilots who have a lot of experience in an area are better able to "play the winds" and get their aircraft to go where they'd like it to go so you can see the most dramatic views.

"We'll pick apricots off the trees," Lars said one morning as we took off into the blue.

We didn't, but only because it was spring and the apricots weren't ripe yet.

As we flew, Lars talked about the winds:

"I get up and drive around the countryside well before launch to see how the winds are," he said. "I send up the trial balloon and watch it closely as it passes through the temperature zones. Then I make a flight plan."

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