SIGN the GUESTBOOK. Hickam AFB passenger terminal has two overhead flat screen monitors, your sun clock and their arrival/departure. I was stranded there for two days and was in awe at the accuaracy of your site. I retrived your site now to plan communications with contacts in Japan.
4 - The ideal wind speed for hot air balloon flights - To provide the best conditions for a safe balloon flight landing the maximum surface wind speed on the day of the balloon ride must not exceed 10 miles an hour.
Wind is the most critical factor in safe ballooning; it effects every phase of a flight. More balloon flights are cancelled due to wind than for any other reason. Balloons fly best in light and stable winds of 4-6 miles per hour. Maximum safe winds are 8-10 mph. Here are the reasons wind is such an issue: During inflation the balloon is filled with cold air using a fan. The balloon fabric is just a giant sail, and winds approaching 10 mph make it almost impossible to fill the balloon. The wind will cave the side of the balloon in and the resulting sail effect places tremendous loads on both the fabric and the basket.