This is a collage showing the steps from unloading the balloon to full inflation.
1. The basket or gondola removed from trailer
2. The balloons or envelopes are rolled out on the ground.
3. After the burners are attached to the baskets they are laid on their sides and the balloon lines are attached to the basket.
4. High powered gasoline fans blow cold air into the balloons to begin inflating.
5. After the balloons are inflated with cold air the pilot uses the burner to heat the air in the balloon.
6, As the air is heated it becomes lighter and the balloon begins to rise.
7. All balloons are fully inflated and ready for flight
What a very cool step by step collage! It looks like quite a bit of work, and I have to wonder.....is it hard to get the balloon rolled up after? I bet it is 100x's harder than rolling up a sleeping bag and getting it back into the darn bag. And I hate that job, lol! Wonderful, colorful collage.
Wonderful collage of the balloon process. When we went up in one, we had to actually help with the process! However I lucky enough to be able to photograph it instead of help! fantastic experience.
@calm - Thank you Cathy! I am glad you like it! Evidently there are differences in the fabric used. I noticed that not all of the balloons glowed when the burners were lit.
@danette - Thank you Danette! They are fun and beautiful to see!
@tabarlett - Thank you Tammy! It didn't take as long as it might seem. If you look at the photo, second from left in the middle row, you will see a red cloth bag in the lower left corner. That is what the bags the balloons are stored in. It takes two strong guys to lift and carry it. At the top of the balloons is a flap that the pilot can open buy pulling on a rope. It allows the heated air our to deflate the balloon. As they fold the balloon up they work towards the flap and force all the air out. The most difficult part is keeping the ropes that attach to the basket from tangling and working with the weight of the fabric as the roll it up.
@lynnz - Thank you Lynn for your kind comments! That are a sight. My wife heard that the next day when 18 balloons launched one of them looked like a strawberry.
@gilbertwood - Thank you so much Denise! I bet it was a great experience!
@kerristephens - Thank you Kerri!
@lindaagne365 - Thank you Linda!
@calm - Thank you Cathy! I am glad you like it! Evidently there are differences in the fabric used. I noticed that not all of the balloons glowed when the burners were lit.
@danette - Thank you Danette! They are fun and beautiful to see!
@paulam - Thank you so much Paula!
@tabarlett - Thank you Tammy! It didn't take as long as it might seem. If you look at the photo, second from left in the middle row, you will see a red cloth bag in the lower left corner. That is what the bags the balloons are stored in. It takes two strong guys to lift and carry it. At the top of the balloons is a flap that the pilot can open buy pulling on a rope. It allows the heated air our to deflate the balloon. As they fold the balloon up they work towards the flap and force all the air out. The most difficult part is keeping the ropes that attach to the basket from tangling and working with the weight of the fabric as the roll it up.
@lynnz - Thank you Lynn for your kind comments! That are a sight. My wife heard that the next day when 18 balloons launched one of them looked like a strawberry.
@gilbertwood - Thank you so much Denise! I bet it was a great experience!
@cimes1 - You are very kind Carole! Thank you!
@amandal - Thank you Amanda!
@paulaw - I am glad that you enjoyed it! Thank you!