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## Passenger Briefings and Management 

Prior to landing, the pilot should explain correct posture and procedure to the passengers. Many balloon landings are gentle, stand-up landings. However, the pilot should always prepare passengers for the possibility of a firm impact. The prelanding briefing should instruct passengers to do the following: 

• Stand in the appropriate area of the basket. 

• Face the direction of travel. 

• Place feet and knees together, with knees bent. 

• “Hold on tight” in two places. 

• Stay in the basket. 

## Stand in the Appropriate Area of the Basket 

Passengers and the pilot normally position themselves toward the rear of the basket. [Figure 8-9] This accomplishes three things. 

1. The leading edge of the basket is lifted as the floor tilts from the occupant weight shift, so the basket is less likely to dig into the ground and tip over prematurely. 

2. With the occupants in the rear of the basket and the floor tilted, the basket is more likely to slide along the ground and lose some speed before tipping. 

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3. The passengers are less likely to fall out of the front of the basket. 

In a high-wind landing, passengers should stand in the front of the basket because if the basket makes surface contact and tips over, passengers fall a shorter distance within the basket and are not pitched forward. They are more likely to remain in the basket, minimizing the risk of injury. 

## Face the Direction of Travel 

Feet, hips, and shoulders should be perpendicular to the direction of flight. Impact with the ground while facing the side puts a sideways strain on the knees and hips, which do not naturally bend that way. Facing the opposite direction is more appropriate under certain conditions. Recall the discussion on passenger briefings on page 6-12. 

## Place Feet and Knees Together, with Knees Bent 

To some people this may not seem to be a natural ready position; however, it is very appropriate in ballooning. The feet and knees together stance allows maximum flexibility. With the knees bent, one can use the legs as springs or shock absorbers in all four directions. With the feet apart, sideways flexibility is limited and knees do not bend to the side. With legs apart fore and aft, one foot in front of the other, there is the possibility of “doing the splits” and a likelihood of locking the front knee. Avoid using the word brace as in “brace yourselves,” as that gives the impression that knees should be locked or muscles tensed. Legs should be flexible and springy at landing impact. 

## “Hold On Tight” in Two Places 

This is probably the least followed of the landing instructions. Up to this point, the typical balloon flight has been relatively gentle, and most passengers are not mentally prepared for the shock that can occur when a 7,000 pound balloon contacts the ground. Passengers should be reminded to hold on tight. The pilot should advise the passengers of correct places to hold, whether they are factory-built passenger handles or places in the balloon’s basket the pilot considers appropriate. The pilot should obey his or her own directions and also hold on firmly. 

## Stay in the Basket 

Some passengers, believing the flight is over as soon as the basket makes contact with the ground, start to get out. Even a small amount of wind may cause the basket to bounce and slide after initial touchdown. If a 200-pound passenger decides to exit the basket at this point, the balloon immediately begins to ascend. All passengers should stay in the basket until individually told by the pilot to exit. 

