Thats damage all bits connected sort of thing.
Then once the balloon is inflated you start at the top and open the parachute valve which is exactly what it sounds like a parachute that plugs a hole in the top that when pulled down allows air to escape.
Very good for stopping during fast landings.
If that does not open then its a no go item. The parachute is forced back into the hole by the pressure of the hot air.
As a point of interest you can stand on top of the balloon there is so much pressure. I would not want to but we had a Radio presenter do that a couple of years ago at Absa stadium.
After that you operate the turning vents and any other bit of string there is to pull. Not necessary to know what they do just pull them and look like you know what they are for.
Look at all the caribeaners (thats not right is it) make sure all closed.
You then check the burners and make sure they are all on!
Before you make flame you have listened,looked and smelt for gas leaks.
Assuming none you lit pilot lights of a single burner to inflate the balloon. No sense trying to close of several fuel systems at this point. But now the thing is upright we are switching on the rest.
Then its look at tanks make sure strapped in normal turn on gps and radio blah blah.
Then scare the living daylights out of the passengers with a safety brief.
And off you go.
Yes I have had two engine outs!
the first one the day after I received my licence. Filled small basket with lots of tanks and sandwiches and proceeded to fly 100 miles .En route whilst demonstrating my unrivaled skill low level in trees experienced decreasing burner power and confusion occured. I mean with 16 hours of flying under your belt you know everything so what could it be. yes I had run out of fuel in that tank and the burner was very old single one with only one feed. these days they all have at least two tanks feeding a single pot. Anyhow settled in top of tree but managed to connect another tank and fly out.
The second time was more serious but demonstrates what you should try and do in a balloon when you run out of fuel. ie do it at very low level. I will not bore you with entire details but i became becalmed over Oxford and the only way to move was to put the basket in the river Thames and then when a highway bridge came along pull up and land on it. I ran out as I hit the road. Thankfully the crew were right there and the ensuing traffic jam prevented the police arriving quickly so we were packed up when they got there and sat in the traffic jam trying to look innocent.
As for burner failures. These days it is very rare and it used to be more pilot lights blowing out rather than the things stopping all together. Modern balloonists don't know there born
We all used to fly with a fueling hose so if anything did stop all together we could attach it and light the end.
The only thing that can really stop modern burners is dirty fuel, which clogs the jets that it flows out of. You notice that on the pre flight normally.
If all really does fail you will hit the deck at no more than 900 to 1000 fpm if your below 2000 ft when the flame out occurs.
Have I hit the ground at that speed..... yes but thats a pub story.
Smaller balloons I guess we call sport balloons these days because its the non commercial types that use them.
They can land and take off in much shorter spaces by virtue of their size. In the last couple of years long thin balloons have come into fashion for competion flying because they can descend slightly faster than a normal balloon.
The power of the burner also seems greater as its heating a smaller volume so it does it quicker if you see what I mean.
For interest if you try really hard you can normally get about 1300 fpm down on but it takes a while to stop. i did a flight last year where we managed about 2000 fpm down but we came down a fair way.
Going up you should not exceed 1000 fpm really although you can if you have a temperature probe at the top telling you what heat is there.
There are two sorts of fabric that could be in the top of the balloon one thats good for 104 C and another thats good for 127C. All balloons will have a fabric flag in the top that has a heat link so if you get close to overtemping it the thing falls down slides on the inside of the balloon falls into the burner and then melts onto your head. Or so I have been told.
I personally don't like too many gadgets in my balloons but one thing I hate flying without these days is GPS it really helps you target.
I can give you all the entire course in less writing than the crap above!
More heat up
Less heat down
Things small high
Things big low
It really is that simple most people get the hang of ballooning in 3 or 4 hours of flying. The remaining hours to the 16 required just consist of hitting things when the student hits things less they must almost be ready.
The real difficulty as with any aviation is teaching people when to give up.
I must sleep have to try and do this mornings cancelled flight tomorrow.
Wow what a rant
G
