Glossary
I
This glossary is meant to be instructive, descriptive and explanatory, not definitive nor exhaustive. Every manufacturer, pilot and crew will use some variations on the terms described here. If in doubt, ask your pilot or other crewmember what a term means. Descriptions below are grouped together by function or natural association, not alphabetically.
A Lighter-Than-Air (LTA) aircraft has
two main parts:
Envelope the lifting part of a balloon
Basket
the load part of a balloon (gondola)
Fabric
Lightweight rep-stop nylon
Panel
Section of fabric
Load Tape
Load-bearing webbing, vertical or horizontal
Gore
Panels between load tapes
Crown
Uppermost portion of the envelope
Equator
Widest point of inflated envelope
Throat
Narrow bottom portion of the envelope
Skirt
Hangs around the burner, below the throat
Scoop/Dipper
Partial (one-sided) skirt
Maneuvering Vent
Opening used to release air (self closing)
Deflation Port
Opening made to deflate the balloon
Parachute Top
Vent and deflation port combined
Envelope Lines
(connected to the envelope)
Crown Line
From very top of balloon (inside)
Deflation Line
May be flat tape ('red line') (outside)
Vent Line
Usually light line (outside)
Pyrometer Cable Light electrical
cable (outside)
Turning Lines
Two, optional (outside)
Other Lines
(separate from the envelope)
Inflation Harness
At inflation, fi7om load cables to truck
Drop Line
May be used on landing, fi7om basket to ground
Other Options
Handling lines, pennants, flags, streamers
Superstructure
Supports the burner assembly
Wicker
Flexible material used in baskets
Cables
Connect envelope to basket (or uprights)
Carabineers
Attach cables to superstructure
Quick Pins
Attach connector blocks to superstructure
Toggle
Handle for picking up basket
Instruments
Pyrometer, altimeter, variometer
Burner
Turns liquid propane into gas, which heats air in envelope
Burner Coil
Don't get burned-, may be hot and/or delicate
Burner Valves
To control burner
Pilot Light
Ignites burners
Propane
Fuel - liquid in tank, vapor in air
Tanks
Propane cylinders - 10, 15 or 20 gallon
Tank Valves
To turn on/off fuel supply
Tank Gauges
Show how much @el remains in tanks
Fuel Hoses
Connect tanks to burners, transport propane to fire source
Connectors
Quick-disconnect or threaded
O-Ring
Critical part of many gas valves
Pilot
The person responsible for flight operations
Crew
Team, which helps assemble, launches, retrieve and pack the
balloon
Crew Chief
Person responsible for crew activities
Driver
Drives chase vehicle-, does NOT watch balloon-, watches road
Spotter
Watches balloon, wind conditions, other balloons
Navigator
Reads map and street signs, helps keep driver oriented
Radio Monitor
Listens for pilot-initiated radio communications
Tarpaulin
Or tarp - to cover ground under envelope/burners
Pibal
PI-lot BAL-loon used to show wind speed and direction
Inflator (fan)
Used to cold pack, or fill, balloon with cold air
Envelope Bag
Canvas container for envelope, skirt, and cables
Lift Gate
Hydraulic truck tailgate (if you're lucky)
Igniter/Striker
Sparking device used to light pilot light
Hook and Pile
Closure material (also known as Velcro)
Annual
FAA required air-worthiness inspection
Wave
Sequential launch of balloons
'Lay Out'
Assemble the balloon, stretch out envelope (optional)
'Go Cold'
Use fan to inflate balloon (cold pack)
'Go Hot'
Use burner to heat cold packed air in envelope
'Weight On'
Crew should lean heavily on basket keeping feet on the ground
'Hands
On'
Crew should gently lay hands on the basket ready to let go or put
'weight on' at the direction of the pilot
SA
Sensitive area - avoid landing or entering
PZ
Prohibited zone - strenuously avoid landing or entering
Brand Names Aerostar (formerly Raven); Balloon Works (formerly Barnes)-l Cameron, Thunder/Colt; Fantasy; Galaxy; Lindstrom; Adams; Avian-, Eagle; Head-, National- Piccard- Sernco