Super cracked up times. I was going to go on about more things.. and its a lot more.. I am sitting here deciding if I want to type that much today. It could be a lot and I have already spent a lot of time today typing... I wished it had garnered better responses but still in the dark in places. Oh well.... Here you go....
Balloons are among the very finite aircraft that can take off from any damn place there is space to. With provisos for private property or active runways. Popping up from a neighbourhood is pretty normal.
Hot air balloons like all aircraft have to have a tail number... Since balloons have no tail... the numbers are on both sides of the envelope. In some countries they are HUGE! THat square patch looking thing there is the outside strengthening for a pull line inside.
Turning vents are holes in the side of the balloon envelope.. like below... they can be single or double. They are unusual on balloons as they are expensive and unnecessary for standard flying. Ride balloons and some of us wilder people love them. Ride balloons because they have to square up before they land such huge and long baskets. I use mine to line up so my whicker Slicker ( or downside whicker protecting pad is down when I hit the ground. Outside it a Cameron is this type. Scallops.
Inside you will see this. One line to three smaller lines that attach to these triangles of fabric which pull the cover off the vents and expels air sideways which turns the envelope in the air.. Pull one way and it opens one side and pull the other and you go the other way.. Spinning is fun.
THere is so much going on in this shot. In the front you see Sun Dagger getting walked out from being close to Diana's balloon behind. THis makes it safer for the back balloon incase false lift or weird winds might shover Sun Dagger towards the other envelope. During the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta we walk about a lot. Its very crowded. Diana behind is getting a lesson from one of our local balloon champions. Cant have better than that.
THis balloon.. of which I have no name for at this time is skirtless or scoopless. As you see in the above picture that balloon has a scoop. It helps direct air into the envelopes throat and also protects the burner from getting blown out by friskier winds. Its not becessary to fly with but its a good thing.
Below is a Zone Five Aerostar double burner. It has a gimble in the center and also gimbels on the ends so you can direct the burner around in case of need. Two separate burners with two separate fuel sources is super safe. If you were to lose one side you still have the other to fly off of. Safety is always the most important thing. The bar you see with Eric's hands on is a support from one side of the uprights to the other. Its a nice place to grab when getting in and out of the basket. Its a great place to rest your hands while getting walked to a place to lay out.
I can't explain the hat... Sorry. Kurt's hands in back are on the burner that way because he was clearing the lines of propane before shutting everything down.. It also cools the hot coils above. Good practice. Bad to do on Fiesta field... It will get you in trouble... Off field it's all good. Mind smokers though.
Wow.. and I tried to be short winded... hahahahahaha....
Here is my facebook banner and logo for the day.. good luck finding the numbers. Resolution for banners is low.
Old town... Another shot I have been waiting to use...
One of the statues outside the museum... "Dis way .. there be chili!!!"
I think that is verbatum too!
