Crew Olympics

In the spirit of the 100th Olympiad being contested in Atlanta, Georgia this month the Boise River Festival this past June held its own Olympics-Crew Olympics. Up to ten teams of ten crew members each were allowed to enter the competition. The winning team was to be awarded $500.

Since Boise does not have evening flights, this provided an opportunity to let the spectators see balloon operations while waiting for official sunset and the night glow spectacular.

The rules for this contest were fairly simple and are detailed in the box near by. The teams went one at a time so that the spectators could watch the action.

Originally the rules indicated that the balloon, once inflated, would need to be moved in the air 100 feet to a finish line. The organizers changed that for safety reasons to obtaining buoyancy before deflating and packing up.

Each team was given the signal to start. They had to run 100 feet to the equipment. Basket and burner were preassembled and laid on the side. The envelope was attached to the burner frame and could be spread out. Each team could have two inflator fans. There was no restriction as to the size of the balloon used.

The balloon had to be inflated and made buoyant. On signal from an official the team had to deflate the balloon, detach the envelope from the burner frame, pack the envelope, and cross back over the start/finish line. The fastest time wins.

The first team headed by Mandy Johnson, Auburn, Washington, accomplished the task in four minutes and nine seconds. The second team, headed by Scott Shields, Bellingham, Washington, beat that by three seconds. The rest of the competitors weren't even on the same launch field.

Think about it. Sprint 100 feet, inflate an AX-7 (that's what the winners used), deflate, pack the envelope, and sprint back 100 feet. Four minutes and six seconds, that's all it took.

What made the difference between the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat? Team work, knowing the equipment, and a well thought-out and executed plan.

The top teams had specific jobs assigned to each member, which they rehearsed long before coming to Boise.

Okay, what are some of the secrets learned during this competition?

1. Make sure the fans work, the various switches are in the right place, and the operator knows how to work the fan. If the fan doesn't fire up right away you lose precious seconds.

The more powerful the fan(s) the better. No skimping here. Two nine horsepower fans with 30 inch props minimum were used to get that air moving.

2. Every team member goes to their assigned post. The winning team was using an Aerostar with a side vent. Two crew members were sent inside the balloon where push brooms were prepositioned. They used the brooms to help hold the fabric up and allow the air to fill the envelope faster. The two team member exited through the side vent after the hot inflation began.

This was reminiscent of the old days in ballooning when flap inflations were assisted with long sticks that helped to hold the shape of the mouth during the initial burns. In some case a "Turkey" was sent into the envelope to hold up fabric.

3. You want to be able to burn as soon as possible. Be careful, one contestant either started too early with his burns or wasn't paying attention. He took out a couple of panels and had to withdraw from the competition. The repair stations love these contests.

4. Deflation requires the most work and the highest level of team work. This is where all the training pays off. All the teams with one exception did their back up the same way. The top is pulled, the basket laid over, and the squeezing begins. Once the air was out of the envelope several team members would grab the top and run with it back toward the basket where the stuff bag was waiting. This allowed the pilot or other crew members to disconnect the envelope and bring the rest of the fabric to the bag.

Not bad idea. But, the winning team had a better plan. Two people were working the top. One pulling the crown line the other helping to pull in the sides from the top. One moose squeezed, with a helper behind him holding the weight of the fabric. Behind them, two more team members were leap-frogging one another. Their purpose was to stop the envelope from moving. Because at this point it was disconnected from the burner frame and three more team members were coming along right behind the squeezer with the envelope bag. Two moving the bag and one stuffing. The envelope was stuffed almost as fast as the air was squeezed out.

5. As the end nears and jobs are completed, start releasing your slowest runners back to the finish line. The second place team still had four people at the bag when the knot was tied. One tripped and fell on the way to the finish line. For other teams, some members just are not as fast as others.

Planning, practice, execution is what it takes to go for the gold in this competition. The other pilots and crew members enjoyed watching the teams compete. The rules can easily be modified to ensure an even competition and to take into account special circumstances. The important elements are that the event be conducted in a fun, yet safe and sane way.

Now for an observation on getting the air out of the envelope quickly. All of the participants in this particular event had parachute top balloons. While that made for an even competition some deflation systems will work better than others. If you have a pop-top, you will hurt your chances if the wind is near calm. The envelope will not, and can not be, elongated by pulling on the crown. The balloon will empty the air quickly but fall almost vertically. My top of choice would be the SmartVent from Cameron, AeroChute from Aerostar or similar quick opening deflation system that can be pulled down and away from the basket.

While waiting for other activities to take place, crew competitions can be fun and a real crowd pleaser. And, just like the real Olympics lots of work goes into the thrill of victory.

Rules
"LeMans Start"

1. This event is subject to calm weather conditions. (Three knots or less on the deck.)

2. The first ten balloons to enter the event will be selected.

3. Ten person maximum crew including pilot.

4. Two inflator fans allowed.

5. All balloons to be tied off during the inflation process.

6. Crew will line up on a mark.

7. On signal, the team will, with all possible haste, run 100 feet to their balloon, begin a controlled inflation, bringing the envelope to an upright position.

8. On signal from the safety officer (to verify that in fact you have control of the aircraft) crew may release the tie off. Once safety officer clearance is given, the pilot may begin deflation.

9. Ground crew will deflate, snake and pack to closure the envelope bag.

10. All balloons will be timed start to finish. The balloon team with the shortest time will be declared the winner.