Balloons respond to various air currents to a greater degree  than other aircraft. Except for momentary delays wherein iner› tia of the balloon mass resists the energy of a new air current,  the flight path of a balloon in equilibrium exactly mirrors the  direction and velocity of the air current in which  it  is operating.  This simple fact of balloon operation holds true for horizontal  (the kind we like to fly in), vertical, and rotary air currents (when  Mother Nature flies). This article is about flying with Mother  Nature and includes a few tips on what to do when Mother  Nature’s flying becomes -too exciting.  False lift Is an aerodynamic phenomena which occurs dur› ing the initial acceleration of the balloon. A balloon standing  in the wind acts as an obstacle to normal air flow causing the  wind speed to increase on the surface of the balloon. Chang› ing the wind speed causes a pressure conversion to occur  (static pressure decreases and velocity pressure increases)  which results in false lift. During launch false lift couples with  the balloon’s normal lifting forces to cause the balloon to take  off. The problem with having false lift is that it quits when the  balloon reaches wind speed. Ready or not, false lift dissipates  rapidly after takeoff causing the pilot to apply heat constantly  in order to gain real lift before acceleration is complete. In a  practical sense, •false  lift does not pose any operating prob› lems until the wind speed exceeds approximately 10 mph.  False lift is unavoidable in a fast wind making takeoffs a  challenge for the balloon pilot. Simultaneously, the pilot must  watch burner operation, fabric, control the crew, assess the  balloon’s physical readiness for flight and judge the lift. The  confusion of burner noise, paSsenger and crew demands, and  the. physical jolting caused by the gondola dragging across  the gro!Jnd can quickly overload an unprepared pilOt. The pilot  should carefully prepare, inspect and rig the balloon prior to  inflation to minimize the tasks required during inflation and  prior to takeoff. This procedure is necessary to insure that the  balloon is safe in the event takeoff occurs unexpectedly. The  pilot must always assume false lift is present during takeoff,  that the envelope lift is inadequate, and continue heating until  balloon acceleration is complete and a positive climb rate is  established. During takeoff and acceleration It is not possible  to differentiate between real lift and false lift. The best policy  is to heat past equilibrluril temperature and then vent as  necessary to maintain a comfortable rate of climb. False lift is  easier to overcome when burner output is high, therefore fuel  pressure Is the best information available to judge the  balloon’s ability to overcome false lift . Small burners on big  envelopes are obviously a poor choice of equipment for’fast  wind operation. Obviously the takeoff field is important in fast  wind operations. Obstructions downwind require additional  clearance depending on wind speed due to the reduced initial  climb rate of the balloon after losing the false lift.  BALLOON SAFETY TIPS  FALSE LIFT  BURNER MUST OPERATE CONTINUOUSLY  FLIGHT PATH  .  ,...,....-- ~  . ---.  e  BALLOON IS DISTORTED  AND AT LOW VOLUME .  e  FALSE LIFT IS MAXIMUM  • BALLOON HAS HOT  BUBBLE IN CROWN  e  BALLOON IS INHALING  COLD AIR  e  FALSE FIFT IS  DIMIMISHING  . LAUNCHING WITH FALSE LIFT  e  BALLOON IS FULLY  INFLATED  e  EQUILIBRIUM HAS  OCCURED  • FALSE LIFT IS ZERO 