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There are many different styles of inflation. Some pilots use one or two large fans to inflate the balloon fast and get it tight. Some pilots prefer to fill the envelope slowly to give them time for preflight preparation. Some use many crewmembers;
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some use only a few crewmembers. Balloon size, available crew, weather, location, and personal preference are factors that determine procedures and number of crewmembers.
The Inflation
After the balloon is correctly laid out, place the inflation fan to the side of the basket within arm’s reach of the pilot, facing into the center of the envelope mouth, making sure the fan blades are not in line with the pilot, crew, or spectators. If the fan is well designed and maintained, it will not move around or require constant attention during operation. Exact fan placement depends on the type of fan, burner, and size of the envelope, as previously discussed. Pump air into the envelope and not under, over, or to the side of the mouth.
A crewmember should be placed at each side of the mouth of the balloon to lift the material and create an opening for air to enter the envelope. During cold inflation (i.e., with the fan only) hold the mouth open wide enough to admit the airflow from the inflator fan. It is best to inflate the balloon as full as possible. At a minimum, inflate the balloon to approximately 75 percent full of cold air.
As the envelope inflates, the pilot should check to see that control lines are correctly deployed and the deflation panel is correctly positioned. This can all be done through or in the vent or from the top; it is not necessary to walk on the fabric. During this phase of the inflation, the envelope should also be checked again for damage that would disqualify the balloon from flight.
Once the preflight inspection and cold inflation are complete, and the pilot is satisfied that the envelope contains enough ambient air to begin hot inflation, the two crewmembers at the mouth should hold it open as wide and as tall as possible to keep the fabric away from the burner flame. The crewmembers should face away from the burner. At this point, fan speed may be reduced to approximately one-half or two-thirds full throttle and the pilot may light the burner’s pilot lights in preparation for inflation. Before activating the blast valve, the pilot should make eye contact with each crewmember at the mouth and make sure each is ready. Crew readiness is paramount. The crew at the mouth of the envelope must be aware the burner is about to be used.
Allow the fan to run at a reduced speed until the balloon mouth lifts off the ground and is no longer receiving air. If the fan is turned off too soon, envelope air comes back out of the mouth and the backwash distorts the flame at the beginning and end of each blast. Do not hurry to turn off the fan. Some pilots elect to shut off the fuel to the inflator fan, which accomplishes two things. This procedure normally allows a fan to continue running for about a minute, which should be long enough to inflate the balloon, and also allow fuel in the fan’s carburetor to be used, eliminating the likelihood of gas fumes should the fan be stored in an enclosed space during transport.
The first burn or blast of the burner should be a short one to confirm the correct direction of the flame and to check the readiness of the mouth crew. If they are startled by the flame or noise and drop the fabric, the short burn prevents or minimizes damage. To reduce discomfort of the crew, it is best to inflate the balloon with a series of short burns and pauses, rather than one continuous blast. Inflate using standard burns, with short pauses of about 2 or 3 seconds between burns. The pauses give the fabric and skin a chance to cool and allow communication between the pilot and the crew, if necessary. Under some circumstances, contraction and inflation of the balloon mouth may be seen. Burns should be timed to match the expansion of the mouth. These mouth movements are called “breathing”; burns should be timed to match the open time to avoid damaging the fabric.
Some pilots prefer to inflate the balloon with one long blast of the burner. The advantage of this type of inflation is that the balloon inflates a few seconds faster and the mouth tends to stay fully open during the process. There are several disadvantages. Voice communication is nearly impossible due to the noise of the burner. Anyone or anything within a few feet of the burner may get burned. Also, some burners could be discolored or damaged by long burns.
The next step is to continue the burn-and-pause routine until the balloon is nearly ready to leave the ground. The crew should be standing by the basket ready to hold the balloon (“hands on” or “weight on”), in case of a miscalculation, allowing the balloon to start lifting off the ground before the pilot is ready. The use of the safety harness prevents unplanned departures.
Many pilots fail to achieve equilibrium or neutral buoyancy immediately after inflation. If equilibrium is not achieved, the balloon is much more susceptible to wind. For example, if the envelope is not full, a slight wind can cave in a side causing a spinnaker effect. If the balloon is standing, but not ready to fly, the pilot has only one option should the balloon start to move horizontally; the pilot must deflate. If the balloon is only 5 or 10 seconds of heat away from lifting off, the pilot has the choice of deflation or launch.
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Balloon Flying Handbook(80)
