Introduction to Balloon Flight

OBJECTIVE:

• To introduce the student to balloon flight

ELEMENTS:

• Flight Planning
• Balloon Layout and inflation
• Fundamentals of level flight
• Ascents and descents
• Normal approach to landing
• Post-flight discussion

EQUIPMENT:

• Balloon Flight Manual
• Airworthy balloon

Instruction’s Action:

• Before flight, discuss lesson objective by using preflight lesson plans for Flight Planning, Use of Blast Valve, Layout and Inflation, and Fundamentals of Level Flight.
• Demonstrate all elements of planning, layout, inflation and flight allowing student to perform after each demonstration and coach student practice
• Post-flight critique of student performance and make study assignment

Student’s Action:

• Student should observe instructor's demonstrations and practice activity with coaching from instructor.

Flight Planning

• Weather briefing - FSS
• Observe surface winds-pibal
• Select launch site - landowner permission
• Plot flight path
• Weight and pressure

Blast Valve Operation

Layout and Inflation

• Check-list
• Crew briefing
• Layout direction
• Attach cables and install burner
• Fuel system check
• Fuel quantity
• Inflation restraint
• Instruments - calibrate to elevation or pressure
• Attach envelope
• Cold inflation-fan operation
• Walk around inspection
• Recheck weather and weight
• Checklist-hot inflation
• Hot inflation

Launch

• Passenger Check List
• Equilibrium-launch checklist
• Weigh-off
• Controlled ascent

Fundamentals Of Level Flight

• Recognizes vertical direction
• Level flight-relation to ground
• Level flight-with instruments
• Ascents and descents with instruments
• Use of winds at various altitudes to steer
• Navigation
• Normal approach and landing

Deflation

• Landowner relations
• Supervise crew

Refueling

Post-Flight Discussion (Basic Questions)

Planning the next flight using a comprehensive checklist

Completion of pilot and aircraft logs

Completion Standards

Student should have a general understanding of a balloon flight and be aware of what standards will be required to be a competent pilot