vent in an effort to descend and land; if the balloon falls out  of the thermal, the pilot may not have sufficient altitude to  recover control. Depending on the landing speed and surface, open the  deflation vent at the appropriate time to control ground travel.  The passengers should be closely monitored to ensure they are  properly positioned in the basket and holding on tightly. Deflate the envelope and monitor it until all the air is  exhausted. Be alert for fire, check the passengers, and prepare  for recovery. The second rule of thermal flight is the axiom, “altitude is  your friend.” Thermals are usually short-lived phenomena  and dissipate after a brief period of time. If the pilot keeps  the balloon at flight temperature, the thermal usually “spits”  the balloon out at a higher altitude. When this happens, the  balloon can again be controlled by the pilot and a safe landing  may be executed. When faced with a high wind landing, the balloon pilot must  remember that the distance covered during the balloon’s  reaction time is markedly increased. This situation is  somewhat analogous to the driver’s training maxim of “do  not overdrive your headlights.” For example, a balloon  traveling at 5 mph covers a distance of approximately 73  feet in the 10 seconds it takes for the balloon to respond to  a burner input—a distance equal to a semi-truck and trailer  on the road. However, at a speed of 15 mph, the balloon  covers a distance of 220 feet, or a little more than two-thirds  of a football field. A pilot who is not situationally aware  and fails to recognize hazards and obstacles at an increased  distance may be placed in a dangerous situation with rapidly  dwindling options. When selecting a landing site, three considerations in order  of importance are: safety of passengers, as well as persons  and property on the ground; landowner relations; and ease  of recovery. Some questions the pilot should ask when evaluating a  landing site are: Landing in water requires modification to the passenger  briefing. In a ditching, make sure the passengers get clear of  the basket in case it inverts due to fuel tank placement. Advise  the passengers to keep a strong grip on the basket because it  becomes a flotation device. Predicting the final disposition of  the basket in water is difficult. If the envelope is deflated, the  pilot and passengers can expect the envelope to sink, as it is  heavier than water. Fuel tanks float because they are lighter  than water, even when full. If the envelope retains air, and  depending on fuel-tank configuration, the balloon basket may  come to rest, at least for a while, on its side. When a high-wind landing is likely, the pilot should explain  to the passengers that a high-wind landing follows. It is better  to alert them than allow them to be too casual. Passengers  should be briefed again on the correct posture and procedures  for a high-wind landing, to include wearing gloves and  helmets, if available or required. Some pilots with dual  burner systems elect to leave one burner operational through  the landing process, in the event that heat must be applied to  climb out of a bad approach. This decision should be made  with a view towards the intensity of the impact; a pilot must  also be aware that, instinctively, he or she may grab the burner  handle during a rough landing. This could result in burner  activation, damaging the balloon fabric. If the water landing is done on a river, the balloon may be  dragged down river in the current. Generally, staying with  the basket is the best course of action unless the balloon  has landed close to the bank and those aboard are strong  swimmers.  The pilot should fly at the lowest safe altitude to a large field  and check that the deflation line is clear and ready. Obstacles  should be avoided and the pilot should ideally make an  approach to the near end of the field. When committed to the  landing, brief passengers again, turn off fuel valves, drain  fuel lines, and turn off pilot lights. 8-9 Water Landings High-Wind Landing Landing Considerations Landings • Is it a safe place for my passengers and the balloon? • Would my landing create a hazard for any person or  property on the ground? • Will my presence create any problems (noise, startling  animals, etc.) for the landowner?