There you are..... in the basket.... its rocking slightly... you can smell the heated metal of the burner in the cool air. The soft leather bolster is against your back as you look into the smiling face of the Pilot. He's grinning back... a little goofy looking. The crew are gathered around the basket. Arms on the top of the basket pushing down and their faces are also close and full of humor. You must be asking yourself.. Uh Oh.... whats next?
Whats next is the Pilot telling you what we call the passenger briefing. Passenger briefing or victim check list...
Check!
Each Pilot goes over this information differently... different Pilot different brief. This is part of our safety checklist...
Did you know that you just became another set of eyes and ears for the Pilot... you have been conscripted!
I will try and hit this quickly ( may not be complete ).
1. Never get in the basket or get out of the basket unless the Pilot tells you to.
2. Even if there is an on board fire do not leave the basket. The Pilot will take care of the fire. You just get to the bottom of the basket until told to come up for air.
3. Do not hold onto the fuel lines, vent lines, Pilots throat!
4. Do hold onto the rope handles inside the basket.
5. If while flying you feel the need to get on the ground, tell the Pilot and sit on the bottom of the basket. He will get you down as safely and quickly as possible.
6. Do look around. Point out any power lines or poles, fences, people, cars, or other possible things that might be in your path of flight. Even if you think the Pilot has seen these things... tell him. Remember that conscription thing... you are now an active member of the flight crew!
7. Do ask your Pilot about anything you want. If he ( and when I say He.. It could be a she too. Its just easier for me to say He instead of He/She every bloomin time ) isn't doing something very important he will tell you everything you want to know. If he ignites the burner while your talking its not because he is being rude... He is keeping you up in the air. Just repeat your question. I love talking. I talk all the time. Perhaps too much sometimes... like now... I am positive you would rather read what number 8 is but .. yatter...
8. Yes.. right.... 8. Move about the basket as much as you like as long as you do not get in the way of the Pilots need to fly. Its a good thing.
9. Enjoy yourself! Take pictures, yell... whatever ( almost ) you feel the need to do ( lets not get foolish ).
10. Upon preparing to land. Stow all loose articles ( camera, cell phone, small animals ) and ( as I like it ) stand looking at the Pilot. Face the direction of travel. Bend your knees. Hold the handle to the left and right of you inside the basket. keep taught but not locked in place. Once landed refer to number 1.
If the landing looks to be a windy or hard the Pilot might ask you to get to the bottom of the basket and hold on. Do it and do it quickly. The basket upon hitting the ground may just stop or drag or bounce back up in the air. All of these things are normal for landings at times. There are no breaks, anchors, drogue chutes on balloons... we stop when the wind stops pushing or we deflate ( Rip Out ) the envelope altogether.
Most jaded crew members.. and now that you have flown your a crew member... like the bumpy landings to a powder puff landing...
Three words for you...
Rip out
Powder Puff
Drag Landing
Plus.. tomorrow.. what the heck is the media saying it was an accident when the Pilot landed????
There are some crew that....... well.... look at that face! Love ya Nate!!
A link to Eric's cool family O' Balloon section... real history here http://www.kissesoffire.com/ourgroup.html
A link to Mark Pacan super Artist's web site here http://www.pacan.com/
Hugs to the family everyone!
