Chiltern Region

British Balloon and Airship Club

Inflating

Inflation of a hot air balloon consists of a series of tasks. These include firstly, rigging of the basket i.e. attaching the burner and installing the propane cylinders, followed by a burner test.

The basket is then tipped onto its side and anchored to something solid, usually the retrieve vehicle. The envelope is laid out, downwind of the basket, and the wires attaching to the load tapes around the envelope are connected to the burner frame and basket by means of carabiners.

The envelope is spread out to its fullest extent, and then cold inflation is commenced. For this, the mouth of the envelope is held open and a fan is used to blow cold air in. At this point, one crew member is designated to hold onto the crownline at the far end (top) of the balloon, as there is a tendency for the air filled envelope to move back towards the burner and basket. It is particularly important to prevent this when use of the burner is started.

While this is taking place, the pilot normally checks the rigging inside the balloon e.g. checking that no ropes or wires are tangled and that the control lines are moving freely.

When the envelope is fully inflated, the pilot lights the burner and directs the flame into the mouth of the envelope. After 3 or 4 blasts of the burner, each of 10 to 20 seconds duration, the balloon should stand upright.

The passengers then climb aboard, and after checking that all of the controls are functioning correctly, including breaking and reseating of the parachute seal, the pilot continues to heat the air in the envelope until the balloon reaches neutral buoyancy i.e. the basket just starts to lift.

If everything (and everyone) is then ready for take-off (and after checking that the retrieve crew have the keys to the retrieve vehicle!), the pilot continues to heat the air in the envelope and then as the balloon starts to lift, disconnects the anchor line by means of a quick release coupling.