Single Pilot Resource Management. A variant of the crew resource management model that is or more practical application to the balloon pilot. Defined as the “art and science of managing all resources available to the single pilot to ensure the successful outcome of the flight.” 

Skew-T plot. In weather, a graphic depiction of the data received from a radiosonde. 

Small aircraft. Aircraft having a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or less. All currently type- certificated balloons are small aircraft. 

Serial number (S/N).  A number, usually one of a series, assigned for identification. 

Step descent. A method of allowing a balloon to lower toward the ground by reducing the altitude, leveling off, and repeating the step, to lower the balloon in increments rather than one continuous motion. 

Superheat. A gas balloon term, superheat occurs when the sun heats the gas inside the envelope to a temperature exceeding that of the ambient air, resulting in expansion of the gas. 

Superpressure balloon. (1) A type of hot air balloon which has no openings to the atmosphere—the mouth is sealed with a special skirt—and is kept pumped full of air (at a higher pressure than the atmosphere) by an on-board fan. Used on moored balloons to allow operations in relatively strong wind. (2) In gas ballooning, a sealed envelope in which the internal envelope pressure exceeds that of a non-sealed envelope. 

Suspension lines. Lines descending from the mouth of a balloon envelope from which the basket and heater are suspended. 

Syllabus.  An abstract or digest of training. It is intended to be a summary of a course of training, and should be brief, yet comprehensive enough to cover essential information. 

Telling and Doing Technique.  A four-step process teaching process particularly well suited to teaching physical skills. 

Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF).  TAFs are valid for a 24-hour time period, and are updated four times daily. The TAF reporting system uses the same abbreviations as used in METAR reports. 

Temperature gauge.  The thermometer system, required in all type-certificated hot air balloons, that gives a constant reading of the inside air temperature at the top of the envelope. May be direct reading or remote, using a thermocouple or thermistor connected to a gauge in the basket or reading signals sent by a transmitter. 

Temperature recorder. A small plastic laminate with temperature-sensitive paint dots that turn from white or silver to black, to record permanently the maximum temperature reached. 

Tensile strength.  The strength of a material that resists the stresses of trying to stretch or lengthen it. 

Terminal velocity descent.  A term used by balloonists for the speed obtained when the balloon is allowed to fall until it apparently stops accelerating, at which point the envelope acts as a parachute and its vertical speed is no longer affected by its lifting gas, but only by its shape (which is caused by design), load, and other factors. 

Tethering.  Operation of a manned balloon secured to the ground by a series of lines. 

Thermal.  A column of rising air associated with adjacent areas of differing temperature. Thermal activity caused by the sun’s heating usually starts 2 to 3 hours after sunrise. 

Time in service.  According to Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, with respect to maintenance time records, means the time from the moment an aircraft leaves the surface of the earth until it touches it at the next point of landing. 

Touch-and-go landing.  An operation by an aircraft that lands and takes off without stopping. 

Topographic map.  A map depicting area information on a smaller scale that an aviation sectional chart, and of much more value to the balloon pilot. Most topographic charts show areas of vegetation, roads, built-up areas, and the general topography (or terrain) of a given area. 

Trough.  In weather, an elongated area of low pressure with no rotative motion. 

Turning vent.  A vent on the side of a hot air balloon envelope which, when opened, allows escaping air to exit in a manner causing the balloon to rotate on its axis. 

