This month our Special Report examines a sensitive area of landowner relations— animals and ballooning. Either because of the noise or visual presence of a hot air balloon many animals become frightened. The animals reaction to the balloon may lead to erratic behavior and injury. The owner of the animal(s) will usually react with anger to this intrusion of their domain.
In the article Balloons and Animals Calvin Campbell, a veterinarian and balloonist, discusses various animals that a balloonist might encounter during a flight, what the animals reaction might be, and what action a pilot should consider to mitigate any problems that could arise. Dr. Campbell’s article begins on page 18.
Should an owner become upset due to disturbing his or her animals or simply landing on their property a pilot and/or crew are faced with a landowner confrontation. In Talking It Out Debbie Romero of Texas recounts an encounter she recently had with a landowner who was not happy about her balloon landing on his property. By the time she left the property the landowner had a different feeling about the experience. How she handled the situation is instructive on how to deal with someone who reacts to a sudden invasion of their property by others. Her story begins on page 22.
In my years of experience I have met many landowners, some delighted to have a balloon land on their property and others less so. One recent flight I had shows the wide range of reactions that a balloonist might experience. The first landing spot I picked was a vacant lot for sale. After landing a woman who lived in a house with fenced yard next to the property advised that I was trespassing, that she owned the property when questioned, and to get out. I flew on, a check with the real estate company later indicated the woman did not own the property. The second landing was in the back yard of a property a mile away. The landowners were not only happy that the balloon landed on their property, none had ever landed there before, but gave everyone in the basket and crew apples from their fruit trees and bags of green beans, freshly picked.
I believe that the first landowner was unhappy that her pit bulls were barking while the balloon was on final approach. At the second landing there were three horses in the next yard, less than 200 feet away. At no time did the balloon disturb them from eating grass. Why? Over the years they have become use to balloon flying over head. With some notable exceptions most animals become use to hot air balloons over time and do not react to the burner noise or sight of the aircraft over head.
Even the $30,000 per mating pair of ostriches can learn that balloons are not a treat to them. A balloonist in Southern California operates a commercial balloon ride business and ostrich farm at the same balloonport.
Reaction of both people and animals has more to do with expected or unexpected intrusions into their lives. The best advise is to know the area you fly and talk to landowners (whether it relates to their animals or property) about your ballooning to help establish a rapport. At worst you find out where you are or are not welcome.
