into the slower moving air, distorts, and starts slowing, the  effect of heat loss can be masked by false lift. Even if the  shear is a mild one, false lift momentarily exists. When  the balloon slows enough and exits the faster moving air,  the hidden false lift and dishing disappear and the balloon  descends out of control.  Once a launch site is selected, the pilot should make an effort  to identify the property as public or private. Generally, school  fields and local parks may be used without further inquiry  unless there have been previous problems with balloons. In  such a case it would be appropriate to check with the local  authorities for the use of these facilities. Private property, however, is another issue. A balloon pilot  and crew should never assume the right to use a private  location to launch or recover a balloon. To do so exhibits  a degree of arrogance that has no place in ballooning  and subjects everyone participating to trespass laws. The  landowner usually lives on the property and has paid for  that right. In the event that no one is immediately available,  the pilot should either select another launch site or perhaps  inquire of neighbors who may be able to inform you of the  landowner’s location. Finding the landowner and obtaining  permission to use a particular field may be one of the most  important tasks of the launch process for the crew chief, if  one is assigned. Undoubtedly, the one time the pilot does  not have appropriate authorization for use of a launch site  and uses another’s property, someone will be watching and  problems later ensue.  Some pilots intentionally create a situation of diminished  capacity when making a high performance descent. In  low or stable wind conditions, this can be successfully  executed. However, in the presence of strong wind shears,  this technique can prove disastrous. If a pilot is in a false lift scenario, the first action should be  to continue to fly the balloon. If the situation is encountered  during lift-off, or is believed to exist, the pilot should maintain  a positive rate of climb until the false lift dissipates. If the  false heavy scenario exists during the landing, the pilot  must be prepared for an acceleration in the descent rate. An  appropriate action would be to add heat to slow the descent,  unless a steep approach to landing is desired.  In reality, there is nothing false about any of these situations.  They are real and may create hazardous flight dynamics. In  many cases, more than one of these elements is at work. It  is important for the pilot to be aware of them, their effects,  and consider what actions are necessary when they are  encountered. The best prevention is anticipating these  conditions and maintaining situational awareness. If the  conditions are extreme, it may be said that the best and first  consideration is staying on the ground.  The positive side of this is that most landowners welcome  the balloon pilot and his crew, want to learn a little about  balloons, and gladly allow the use of their property for  the launch. Many see this as an opportunity and actively  participate in the process. Others may grant permission, but  stand back from the activity. Whichever type of landowner  is encountered, they usually respond positively to a pilot and  crew that respect rights and protects landowner interests. It is frequently said that every pilot sets up equipment and  prepares for flight in a different manner. The purpose of this  chapter is not to emphasize those differences, but rather to  illustrate the underlying similarities and procedures that every  balloon pilot must follow to safety begin a flight.  An otherwise perfect flight can be marred without the  use of the proper relationship skills needed to foster good  landowner relations. Often neglected, these skills provide  the balloon pilot the locations necessary to inflate, launch,  and land. Without these properties, ballooning would be  severely limited. Taking the time to explain one’s actions to  a landowner, or dealing with a farmer whose livestock have  been spooked by an ill-timed contour flight, can create lasting  impressions that have tremendous long-term negative impact  on the continued evolution of the sport. During the launch phase of a flight, building/landowner  relations is an easy task. The pilot should select launch sites  that avoid flight paths and landings around sensitive areas,  such as livestock, expensive crops, nature preserves, etc.  Chapter Summary Landowner Relations 6-17