|
This chapter introduces inflation, launch, and
landing. It also provides useful information on
landowner relations.
INFLATION
The inflation procedure takes the balloon envelope
from a pile of fabric to a spheroid capable of lifting
a load. The pilot’s goal should be a smooth,
controlled inflation that does not damage the
environment, the balloon, or harm the crew. At the
end of the inflation, the balloon should be upright,
close to equilibrium, and ready to fly.
Historical Background
When the modern hot air balloon was being
invented, one of the first pieces of inflation
equipment was a relatively huge squirrel cage
centrifugal blower—the type seen on roofs of old
buildings. Because of its design, with the engine
off to the side, and out of the airstream, this type of
blower could be used to pump warm air into the
envelope. A wand-type propane device, similar to
present-day weed burners, heated the air. The flame
was held in front of the blower inlet, thus air was
heated prior to entry in the envelope.
Because the blower was noisy, bulky, expensive,
and potentially dangerous, many early balloonists
chose to do flap inflation. Two or three people
would stand at the mouth of the balloon, with their
backs to the basket. Each person would grasp the
upper lip of the mouth with widely spaced hands.
As the flappers moved the upper lip up and down
in unison, the envelope would partially fill with
ambient air.
A couple of other early inflators are worthy of
comment. Some pilots, trying to avoid smelly,
flammable gasoline, used electric fans. Automobile
or truck radiator fans were tried, but their small
size made inflation very slow. Another attempt was
to attach radiator fan blades directly to an
automotive starter motor, plugged into the chase
vehicle battery. The motor drew so much power
from the battery that the battery would die. The
solution was to keep the vehicle engine running to
keep the battery charged. The fan, however, was
still essentially gasoline powered, polluted the air,
and required the chase vehicle to be parked too
close to the balloon.
Today most hot air balloons are inflated with
commercially built or homemade gasolinepowered,
propeller-bladed, inflation fans. Another
type of fan you might see in use today is a small,
propane-powered, 3-horse power (HP), aluminumbladed,
ducted, axial fan.
Inflation Style
There are many different styles of inflation. Some
pilots use one or two large fans to inflate the balloon
fast and get it tight. Some pilots prefer to fill the
envelope slowly to give them time for preflight
preparation. Some use many crewmembers, some
use only a few crewmembers. Balloon size,
available crew, weather, location, and personal
preference are factors that determine procedures
and number of crewmembers.
Typically, for an average balloon, an inflation crew
of three is optimum, with the pilot at the burners and the other two people at the mouth. In windy or
crowded situations, it is important to have a fourth
person holding the crown line.
If inflation requires more crew than usual, due to
the windy conditions, you should consider
canceling the flight. Although the balloon may get
airborne, chances are that flying out of your comfort
zone and having to prepare for a very windy landing
may impair concentration. The distraction may
hinder safe, enjoyable flying.
|
