A Flight: from start to end.
If you want to know everything that goes into a flight from the initial planning, to the time we go home then stay tuned. Here is an in-depth article of how it all works.
If you want to know everything that goes into a flight from the initial planning, to the time we go home then stay tuned. Here is an in-depth article of how it all works.
Flight planning begins up to a week in advance. Weather is constantly monitored watching for days that will potentially provide ideal weather for a balloon flight. Once a day is identified we narrow in on it as the day gets closer.
Balloons require several weather conditions to align just right to fly.
Wind speeds on the ground must generally be between 3 and 10 miles per hour. The temperature must be cool enough for comfort and weight lifting capacity of the balloon. Cold is not an issue for the balloon, but can be uncomfortable for the crew, and propane tanks may need to be preheated for sufficient fuel pressure. Any thunderstorms in the area create unstable and unpredictable winds. Fog and low clouds(known as the ceiling) can create visibility below the minimums required by the FAA (1-3 miles). Rain will cause deterioration of the fabric, so we do not fly in rain either.
Once we determine weather is within limitations, a crew must be gathered. The balloon requires lots of work and helping hands. Hoppin' Around requires a minimum of 4 people including the pilot, but 5+ is preferred.
Wind direction and speed is evaluated by forecasts and a "pi-bal" which is a helium party balloon let into the sky (very scientific). The helium balloon will roughly indicate what the wind speed and direction actually is compared to the forecast. Then we can choose a launch site based on a few factors, like what is convenient for crew, and the general area we want to fly to or areas we want to avoid. Balloons can launch from anywhere with enough space (about 100ft X 100ft and clear of nearby obstacles like towers) and permission from the landowner. Airports can be utilized, but is not common for balloons.
Now that the balloon is standing upright we are nearly ready to take flight. The pilot will once again make sure all equipment is accounted for and place his control lines where he wants them.
Passengers are loaded, and when the pilot is ready, he begins to heat the air in the balloon even more. The temperature in the balloon can be as high as 250 degrees Fahrenheit depending on passenger weight and ambient temperature. Once the air in the balloon is hot enough, we are off!
While we are in flight its time to relax and enjoy the view. Take all the photos you'd like. The chase crew will be on the ground staying just ahead of the balloon's path to look for obstructions, livestock to avoid, and potential landing spots. Although this may seem like a boring task, do not let them fool you. They are up to plenty of shenanigans and having fun in the chase truck too!
The flight has come to an end and it's time to land. Landings can be very smooth but are sometimes a bit rough. This is why passengers must be in good health and physical condition to fly. But, rough landings are usually only about as hard as jumping off of a truck's tailgate. The goal is to have the ground crew there ahead of time to catch us for a smoother landing. But, that's not always possible, and we can still land without them.
Once the balloon is safely landed, its time to get back to work. We must pack up the balloon. A vent in the top of the balloon is pulled completely open releasing all of the air. The balloon is squeezed and streamered out to be stuffed back into the bag. The basket is disassembled in reverse order that it was assembled and it is all loaded back on the truck. The pilot will later refill the propane tanks for the next flight. Are we done now? No, but the hard work is over! ... Unless we have to make it to a balloon glow at an event, then we immediately return to the launch field to set up and take the balloon down all over again in the same night. But, that's a story for another time.
After the balloon is packed away, we celebrate! For first time riders we have a champagne toast. We tell the story of ballooning and how it started, say the balloonist's prayer, and TOAST! Sometimes we go out to breakfast or dinner afterward and enjoy the company.