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## Direction of Flight 

The first element of the flight the chase crew must know is the direction the balloon is going. It is important to understand that the balloon’s direction is very difficult to detect from a moving vehicle. Many pilots recommend the chase crew drive the chase vehicle away from the launch site only far enough to get the vehicle out of the way of the balloon (and other balloons) and to be clear of any possible spectator crowds. As soon as the crew is sure they are clear of other traffic, they should park in a suitable place with a good view of the balloon, and determine the balloon’s direction of flight. There is no point in rushing after the balloon until the direction it is going is known. The balloon changes direction shortly after launch if the winds aloft are different from the surface winds. 

After a while, the crew should proceed to a point estimated to be in the balloon’s path. In other words, get in front of the balloon so it flies over the chase vehicle. If the balloon is moving at five knots, the chase crew need drive only a short time to get in front of the balloon. The direction of flight is much easier to determine if the balloon is floating directly toward the vehicle rather than flying parallel to the vehicle’s path. If a radio is not being used, as the balloon flies over the chase vehicle, the pilot and crew can communicate by voice or with hand signals. In this instance, the crew should be outside the vehicle with the engine turned off. 

## The Crew Briefing 

Crew briefings vary from a few last minute instructions (to an experienced, regular crew), or a long, detailed discourse on how to layout, assemble, inflate, chase, recover, and pack a balloon. [Figure 6-4]  A pilot can give crew briefings by telephone the night before, or in the chase vehicle on the way to the launch site, but most crew briefings are done at the launch site prior to the flight. It is important for the pilot to remember who is ultimately responsible for the entire 

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operation and that the crew is the pilot’s representative on the ground. 

Whether this is the crewmembers’ first time or one-hundredth time crewing, they should be briefed before each flight. Instructions contained in the briefing may be less detailed for an experienced crew. The following instructions should be given for each flight: 

• Estimated length of flight and any information that aids the chase and recovery 

• Anticipated direction of flight 

• Position and duties during inflation 

• Duties once the balloon has reached equilibrium 

A typical flight briefing may be “I intend to make a 1 hour flight and I have about 2 hours of fuel on board. From my weather briefing and the pibal, I should travel in a southeasterly direction; but if I go west, I will land before getting to the freeway. I will probably do a lot of contour flying, but may go up to 2,000 feet to look around. Let’s use channel six on the radio. There is a county road map on the front seat.” 

“Patricia, you will be the crew chief for today’s flight, as well as the driver. The keys to the van are in the ignition, and there is a spare set in the console. I would like you and Bob to do the mouth this morning. Bob, you will be on the side away from the fan. Pat will show you what needs to be done, and I will double check you during the inflation. You will also be navigating, so we will have a look at the map together in a minute. Susan, you will be on the fan. Be sure to keep people away from the plane of the fan, and please do not move the fan while it is running. Leslie, you are on the crown line today. You have done it before, so I know that you know the procedures, but as a reminder, do not wrap any lines around your hand, arm, or body. I will check with you a couple of times during the inflation to make sure you are positioned properly.” 

“Any questions? Good. Sleeves down, gloves on, and let’s go!” 

## The Crown Line 

The duty of the crown line crewmember is to hold the end of the line, lean away from the envelope, and use body weight to stabilize the envelope. As the air is heated and the envelope starts to rise, the crewmember holding the crown line should allow the line to pull him or her towards the basket, putting only enough resistance on the line to keep the envelope from swaying or moving too fast. Release the tension slowly after the envelope is vertical. [Figure 6-5] 

