bringstomindtheeverpresent
problem of wind. Many methods of infla-
tion, takeoff, and landing are exhibited by
pilots of all experience levels, some more
successful thanothers.
A technique needstobe developed
and practicedby the pilot—one whichis
based on knowledge, personal experience
withthe make andmodel of balloon, and
tips from the masters of the art of balloon-
ing.
Many items need to be considered in
developingyourpersonalizedtechnique
tonotburnenvelopes,skirts,crew,or
injure persons or damage property.
Everyone makes aconcerned attempt
tolayoutdownwind,ofcoursetaking
obstacleclearancein tocon sid eration.
Many pilots have a favorite side to place
the inflator fanandnever change thisby
figuringwhichwaythe windis likelyto
shift.Tryplacingtheinflator onthe up-
windside.Bydoingso,thechancesof
gettingthefanupsetorpushedbythe
basket if the wind shifts are reduced. Also,
there is some natural upwind help during
inflation.
An inflation harness should used dur-
ingallinflations,butespeciallyduring
highwindsandcrowdedsituations.The
harness usually attaches to the burnerring
or frame and is secured at the other end to
animmovableobject.Ithasaquickre-
leasethatisactivatedbypullingaline.
Thiscanhelptostabilizetheballoon
before actualflight.Becauseoftheten-
sion on the harness caution must be taken
whenreleasingtheline,passengersand
crew cangethitbythe line andserious
injury can result.
Obtaining a tight cold inflation helps
keepfabrics awayfrom the burner flame
reducesthe“saileffect”fromthe
envelope. Manypilots make the mistake
of shuttingoff the inflatorfantoosoon,
especiallyduringhighwindinflations.
Keepyourinflatorrunningafewmo-
ments longertokeeppressure inside the
envelope during the “burning” portion of
initialhotinflation.Thishelpsreduce
“flashback” from the weight of the enve-
lope plus the additional external pressure
on the envelope from the wind.
Toomuch weight onthe crownline
can also cause an otherwise decent windy
inflation togo bad. Thisweightistrans-
ferredasadditionalweightonthe enve-
lope fabric adding to the problem of “flash
back”and“sail”describedabove.An
AX-7size balloon can be adequately sta-
bilized by awell instructed 120-160 pound
crew person.
Another big error commonlyexhib-
ited is forthepilot to request “more weight”
on the basket to the point where the basket
isstraightenedup–rightwhilethe enve-
lopeisstillleaningatanangle.Many
systemsdo nothave adequate gimbalon
theburnersforthistobeasuccessful
inflation.Alwayskeepthebasketand
burnerinline withtheenvelope, evenif
thatmeansleaningitasmuchasa40º
angle with the ground.
ToTakeoff
Depending on the wind velocity, it is
notalwayspossibletohot–inflatetoa
vertical position, seta vent, loadpassen-
gers,andleisurelyascend.Pre–loading
passengers, if possible, prior to hot infla-
tion. Practice withyour crew the art and
technique ofa “walking” and“running”
take–off. Byhaving crew members walk
or run as necessary to accelerate you hori-
zontally to a speed near the velocity of the
wind, youreduceor eliminatetheprob-
obstacles, and in stable flight, add a little
extra heat and set your valve or vent.
Watch that you don’t get into an un-
planned decent at that point.
Thisisasubjectinitself,covered
elsewhere in this issue. However, beware
of faster surface winds, wind shears, and
inversions as you descend, and the result-
ant problems offalse heavy, undershoot-
ingorovershootingyourlandingspot.
Themainpointhereistoplan ahead.
Practiceapproacheswithsimulatedob-
staclesandrelativelyshortfield.Most
pilots can handle unobstructed large field
approaches.
Thetypeofdeflationsystemyou
have,parachute,rip,spring, pop,smart,
etc., makes verylittle differenceinyour
approach. Of course, you should pull your
deflationlinetoopentheportpriorto
ground contact. The height above ground
for this maneuverisalsoa controversial
topic.TheEnglishandCanadiantech-
nique is up to 30 feet above ground, while
the U.S. technique is up to 20 feet. Rarely
are these extremes warranted. The softest
and least stressful height to bothhumans
andballoonsisasnearthesurfaceas
practical, but in the 5 foot range. Remem-
ber,once youhave committedtoa “rip–
out” landing, shut out your pilot light and
close tanks prior to touchdown toelimi-
natethefirepossibilitytograssorthe
balloon.
Asalways,don’twaituntilthese
eventsoccurtofigureoutwhattodo.
Practice, develop a technique and review
itwithaninstructor periodically for pos-
sible improvements. Soft landings.
about techniques to deal with the problem of wind.
