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## Inflight Crew Management 

The balloon chase crew does much more during the flight than merely drive and wait for the balloon to land. As an integral part of the flight team, the crew can often have a significant impact on flight safety. Rather than passively follow behind the balloon’s perceived route, a knowledgeable chase crew can assist in the execution of the flight and play a large role in flight safety and management. 

Immediately after the launch, the crew should promptly load equipment and prepare to leave the launch field. At a large fun fly of local pilots, or perhaps a competitive event, there may be a temptation for the crew to remain on the field and socialize; a crew on the field is of little or no use to a pilot who may be in difficulty. The crew chief, in conjunction with the pilot, should have a planned route off the launch site and a methodology for conducting the chase. Some pilots prefer for the chase crew to be ahead of the balloon, while other pilots have the chase crew follow the balloon throughout the entire flight. This is a matter of personal preference and may have an impact on the comfort level of the pilot. Either way is acceptable, as long as the pilot and crew remain in contact, and there is a plan in place for the eventual recovery of the balloon. 

Chasing the balloon is, at times, grossly oversimplified. The crew should always bear in mind that they may have to plan on how to be in one of two places at any given moment: where the balloon currently is and where it appears to be heading in the next few minutes. A good rule during the first half of the planned flight is to leapfrog ahead of the balloon, let the balloon catch up, and then repeat the process. Even in familiar flying areas, the crew should frequently check maps to determine the flightpath, likely landing areas, and the best routes to get there. The crew must constantly be aware of changing conditions that may affect the flight; winds increasing, decreasing, or changing directions, or perhaps traffic situations that affect how the crew gets to the balloon after landing. 

## Crew Behavior 

During the chase, the crew should remember to drive legally and politely. Driving at high rates of speed with no justification creates a sense of emergency where there is not one, and can draw unwanted attention to the chase crew. The chase crew is useless to the pilot if they have been stopped by the authorities. 

While chasing, the crew should observe all “No Trespassing” and “Keep Out” signs, and stay on public, paved roads. Vehicular trespass is common and the laws are very restrictive regarding vehicles on private property. Pilots and their chase crews should adhere to local trespass laws. 

If possible, the chase crew should try to keep the chase vehicle in sight of the balloon. The pilot needs to know the crew is nearby and not stuck in a ditch or off somewhere changing a flat tire. When the vehicle is stopped at the side of the road, park it so the entire vehicle is visible to the balloon pilot. 

## Pilot/Crew Communications 

Radio communications between the balloon and the chase vehicle are fairly common. If radios are used, obey all Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations. Use call signs, proper language, and keep transmissions short. Many balloonists prefer not to use radios to communicate with their chase vehicle because it can be distracting to both pilot and chase vehicle driver. In any case, it is a good idea to agree on a common phone number before a flight in case the chase crew loses the balloon. [Figure 7-13] 

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## Use of a Very High Frequency (VHF) Radio 

There is confusion among pilots regarding frequencies that may be used from air-to-ground, balloon-to-chase crew, for instance. Many balloonists use 123.3 and 123.5 for air-to- ground (pilot-to-chase crew), as these frequencies are for glider schools and not many soaring planes are in the air at sunrise. Since all users of the airwaves must have an ID or call, ground crews may identify themselves by adding “chase” to the aircraft call sign. For example, the chase call for “Balloon 3584 Golf” would be “3584 Golf Chase,” or perhaps simply “84 Golf Chase.” 

The air-to-air frequency is 122.75. Remember that everyone in the air is using this frequency; transmissions should be kept brief. A balloon pilot trying to contact a circling airplane would try 122.75 first. 

