CTBA New Balloon Crew Hints

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New to balloons? Don't know what to expect?

Expect fun! Expect a bunch of outgoing people!

Expect to lift & pull. Expect to be awed by the view.

Here are some things to consider when you come to a launch; what to watch out for, what you might do.

DO's & Don'ts

  • Most flights are at Sunrise or Sunset because winds are slowest then
  • Flights are usually held only if the ground wind is below 8 mph and clouds are above 1000'
  • Balloons usually carry fuel for 1-2 hours of flight (So, at 8 mph how far will they go . .?)
  • Launch usually takes 30 minutes, retrieval 45 minutes - so a typical flight will give you 2-3 hours of fun. Then there's the stories, and breakfast/dinner, and travel to & from home. What the heck, plan on getting up before dawn and getting home about lunch tired, happy, and sleepy.
  • If you've made contact with a pilot before a flight, check if they're going to call & wake you. Did you turn off the answering service so the phone will ring enough to rouse you?
  • High speed winds aloft become high speed winds on the ground soon after sunrise
  • Small children and pets are usually scared of balloons, which are very large and noisy at launch
  • Launching and landing balloons is dirty, wear suitable clothing. You may end up in the weeds.
  • Wear sturdy clothes to protect your skin, sturdy shoes to protect your feet (cactus thorns will stick into most running shoes), and gloves for your hands.
  • Know your balloon - don't follow the wrong one. They're all "multicolored," but does yours have vertical stripes, a spiral, which colors next to which?
  • Listen to your pilot or crew chief. If you're given a duty, stay with it; don't turn into a spectator when someone is depending on you to be crew
  • If you don't understand what's expected or how to do something - ASK! Ask before you have trouble, then it's too late. Your pilot's not shy, don't you be shy.
  • Don't tie or wrap yourself to ropes or lines
  • Protect your fingers & toes, they're delicate compared to wicker & rope
  • Don't get in front of a moving balloon as it is landing, the inertia is about the same as a truck
  • No smoking

Typical Tasks

  • Loading & unloading the basket, envelope, & fan
  • Assembling the system, connecting uprights & cables
  • Holding the throat open during cold air inflation
  • Running the inflation fan
  • Setting the parachute top
  • Operating the crown line
  • Crowd control
  • Navigation during chase