Layout and Inflation

 

Objective

Elements

Equipment

Instructor's Actions

Provide student with complete checklist covering all procedures through lift off

Discuss elements of launch site selections including-

  1. Time of launch
  2. Surface wind
  3. Condition of the field surface
  4. Hazards in vicinity of field
  5. Access to field with landowner approval
  6. Flight planning considerations

Discuss elements of crew briefing including:

  1. Assign and explain duties to crew and designate crew chief
  2. Supervise crew activities and Tips for the Crew
  3. Set up means to communicate with crew (Radio and Cell Phone Backup)
  4. Explain flight plan to crew
  5. Lost balloon arrangement

Discuss elements of layout and assembly, visual inspection including:

  1. Use Checklist to assemble balloon
  2. Lay out balloon for direction of surface wind
  3. Configure, put together, basket and install burner
  4. Check all connections and valves for leaks, the Square-Ring
  5. Check fuel supply and pressure
  6. Fire all burners, test all fuel tanks and clear fuel lines safely
  7. Attach inflation restraint securely
  8. Attach envelope cables, temperature cable and vent line
  9. Determine weight and altitude limits
  10. Check basket, documents and instruments
  11. Extra igniters and other required equipment
  12. Final crew briefing
  13. Recheck wind and weather conditions
  14. Note any discrepancy and determine whether the balloon is safe for flight or requires maintenance

Discuss elements of cold-inflation including:

  1. Placement and safety inspection of inflation fan; fuel requirement
  2. Inspect fabric and load tapes
  3. Install top
  4. Cold inflate until envelope is fully packed

Discuss elements of hot inflation including:

  1. Complete walk around inspection
  2. Recheck weather
  3. Use checklist before hot inflation
  4. Rapid and smooth hot inflation
  5. Abort inflation if necessary
  6. As balloon comes to the upright position, all crew weight on
  7. When balloon stabilizes, attach crown line and start checklist for launch

Student's Actions

Completion Standards

Common Student Errors:

The instructor should anticipate the common student errors associated with

a. Launch site selection

b. Crew briefing

c. Layout and assembly

d. Visual inspection

e. Inflation

f. Pre-launch

NOTE: The hot inflation, when done correctly, is a thing of beauty. A fully cold-air-packed envelope, taut envelope cables, the right pressure on the crown line and a well-timed bum by the pilot make the task look easy. Sometimes the conditions make the inflation more difficult. These include a crowded or uneven launch field or variable or high wind conditions. Your student should experience these conditions. Patience is the key to success.

The instructor should do a walk around inspection before the student starts the hot Inflation. He should check the security of the tie-off and the quick release mechanism.

If this is the first inflation for the student, the instructor demonstrates the back step into the basket before the inflation. The student should be warmed to burn only when he is looking at the burner and mouth of the envelope. The mouth should be round not oval from excess crew handling. Sometimes to get the round opening, the throat crew actually has to move towards the center of the throat and not pull away from it.

The instructor positions himself along side the student just outside the uprights on the side with the deflation line. The fan is placed on the opposite side. The instructor crouches down next to the student. Because of the noise of the fan and burner, a positive hand signal is needed to stop a burn. This can be a hand on the shoulder of the student.

Before the pilot light is lighted, a checklist is needed. The purpose is to check the balloon integrity by starting with the inside crown of the envelope and following the envelope rigging to the basket connections. The student extends his/her arm and points to each cable connection and announces secure, deflation line attached, valve secure, cables taut and instrument wire attached. This is the moment when a pilot's concentration is broken due to the excitement of the hot inflation. If you stop for a checklist, it gives the pilot time to think. Now light the pilot light.

The best inflation is a quick one. A half inflated balloon can be troublesome, so a continuous burn is most efficient. If the student stops burning during the inflation prematurely, the envelope will rise with the basket still flat on the ground. At this point, burring the bottom of the throat becomes a possibility. The Instructor will have to lift the up rights to position the burner to continue the inflation.

Having crew lift the uprights is sometimes an indication of a poor inflation. Either the crown line was not held firm enough or the pilot did not burn continuously. A continuous burn will not be harmful to your fabric if the flame is directed to the center of a well-packed envelope.

Students have a habit of taking their eyes off the burner flame when back stepping into the basket as it rises. The pilot should have a continuous, uninterrupted motion from the crouch or kneeling, to standing, to back stepping and into the upright basket position. All this is accomplished without taking your eyes off the round target (the mouth) into which the burner is firing.