Assembling the Balloon

This section of the crew manual will focus on unloading the balloon from the trailer and getting it assembled for launch.

When you arrive at the launch field, the pilot and crew chief will be there beginning to survey the site. They are looking over the field to make sure there are no sharp objects on the field and any garbage left from previous persons is picked up.

After the site has been looked over we will begin to unload the balloon. The first thing that will come out will be 3 canvas tarps. These tarps protect the basket and keep the balloon dry while we are connecting it to the basket.

The envelope tub will come out next. We use a blue tub that has four wheels on it for easy transport of the envelope. This will be positioned at the end of the last tarp with the contents still in the tub. The pilot and crew chief will connect the envelope to the basket.

The fan is removed next. Please use care with this equipment as it contains gas and oil and if tipped over will cause damage. Check the level of the gas and if needed add gas. There will be a gas container in a red basket for this.

Now comes the basket and uprights. It is best if 3-4 people unload the basket as it is both heavy and awkard. The basket will be placed at the front of the first tarp. The pilot and crew will install the uprights. On our balloon, there are white tape marks to indicate which holes to use.

With the uprights connected to the basket, the pilot or crew chief will attach the propane lines and do a test burn. This test burn not only checks the burner for proper operation but also checks the connection so there are no leaks present.

After the test burn, the basket will be tipped on its side to begin the connection of the envelope. At this point, the fan should be at the left side of the basket near the uprights. The pilot or crew chief will begin connecting the cables to the basket. Also, during this point the crew chief will begin to instruct each crew member of the safe way to operate the cables. He will also instruct you where to place your feet and show you the best way to hold the cables during inflation. On our balloon, at the mouth, there is a rope. It is very important that this rope not be let go until directed by the pilot.

After all connections have been made, the crew instructed and questions answerwed, the pilot will return from the pilot briefing and begin inflation