Four Corners Unit Balloon Rally (2007) - Page 22

Ken J · 07-06-2007, 11:04 AM

Yes I would make reservations - the balloon fiesta official operator is Rainbow Ryders 1-800-725-2477.

Someone in a balloon should take pictures of our rally site, should fly right over it....

Ken J.

**azflycaster** · 07-06-2007, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmclemore

Do you guys think we will need to make reservations in order to fly (or float, as the case may be?)

Yes. I booked our flight through Rainbow Ryders. They are the offical balloon ride company of the fiesta.

**azflycaster** · 07-06-2007, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken J

Yes I would make reservations - the balloon fiesta official operator is Rainbow Ryders 1-800-725-2477.

Someone in a balloon should take pictures of our rally site, should fly right over it....

Ken J.

I will be snapping away. If each picture is around 2Meg and I have a 1Gig card in my camera I should get 500 pictures before I need to download. Should I get an additional card?

Ken J · 07-06-2007, 11:15 AM

Don't know - theres lots to see....at minimum I would at least make sure the card is empty when you start....I tend to take a ton of pic's, then erase the one's I don't want.....

On the other hand I would think you want to make sure you have time to just enjoy the flight - not taking pictures - I think you'll be fine with what you have.

Ken J.

Airstream25 · 07-06-2007, 12:06 PM

Carol and I have been crewing for a local pilot for the past 15 years or so. He has one of the smaller balloons, "Double Flash" that can only carry 2 adults beside the pilot. He "pays" his crew with an occasional flight.
If you are interested, you are welcome to crew with us or you can look at the crew web site and sign up with anyone else;
Chase Crew

Quote:

Originally Posted by azflycaster

Yes. I booked our flight through Rainbow Ryders. They are the offical balloon ride company of the fiesta.

Pop Rivet · 07-06-2007, 02:12 PM

I just booked space for 10/8 on the AM flight. Take off is a 7AM - Gonna be cold!

Ken J · 07-06-2007, 06:47 PM

It warms up really fast.....plus I think the burner will warm you up...

Ken J.

pmclemore · 07-06-2007, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airstream25

Carol and I have been crewing for a local pilot for the past 15 years or so. He has one of the smaller balloons, "Double Flash" that can only carry 2 adults beside the pilot. He "pays" his crew with an occasional flight.
If you are interested, you are welcome to crew with us or you can look at the crew web site and sign up with anyone else;
Chase Crew

This sounds like the real deal to me - a ride with someone who knows someone. Does he have any rides open during our rally period? How do we enlist?

Thanks - Pat.

Airstream25 · 07-06-2007, 09:10 PM

Double Flash is not a commercial balloon and rides are not sold. The pilot pays his crew with occasional rides.

If you want to crew, you need to show up at the launch site at 6:30AM with gloves. The entire launch field is marked off in a grid of rows & columns The individual launch sites will be assigned to the pilots in Sept.

Crewing consists of;
Buying the pilot a breakfast burrito.
Helping unload the balloon and equipment from the truck.
Helping to spead tarps on the ground and layout the balloon.
Crowd control to keep people from walking across the envelope.
Holding the mouth of the balloon open for inflation (need earplugs & gloves).
Putting weight on the balloon basket while waiting for command to launch.
Gathering up all the equipment & putting it back in the truck.
Chasing the pilot. Need to memorize what the balloon looks like and keep an eye on it amoung 799 other balloons.
Putting weight on the balloon basket while waiting for the pilot to change out his passengers or deflate the balloon.
Packing the balloon into the giant stuff sack & loading on the truck.
If you are lucky enough to get a ride, you need to operate the radio and talk to the ground crew.

Pilot rules are;
Do not step on the balloon envelope
No smoking
Do not step on the balloon envelope
Do not touch the envelope without gloves
Do not step on the balloon envelope

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmclemore

This sounds like the real deal to me - a ride with someone who knows someone. Does he have any rides open during our rally period? How do we enlist?

Thanks - Pat.

lewster · 07-06-2007, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airstream25

Double Flash is not a commercial balloon and rides are not sold. The pilot pays his crew with occasional rides.

If you want to crew, you need to show up at the launch site at 6:30AM with gloves. The entire launch field is marked off in a grid of rows & columns The individual launch sites will be assigned to the pilots in Sept.

Crewing consists of;
Buying the pilot a breakfast burrito.
Helping unload the balloon and equipment from the truck.
Helping to spead tarps on the ground and layout the balloon.
Crowd control to keep people from walking across the envelope.
Holding the mouth of the balloon open for inflation (need earplugs & gloves).
Putting weight on the balloon basket while waiting for command to launch.
Gathering up all the equipment & putting it back in the truck.
Chasing the pilot. Need to memorize what the balloon looks like and keep an eye on it amoung 799 other balloons.
Putting weight on the balloon basket while waiting for the pilot to change out his passengers or deflate the balloon.
Packing the balloon into the giant stuff sack & loading on the truck.
If you are lucky enough to get a ride, you need to operate the radio and talk to the ground crew.

Pilot rules are;
Do not step on the balloon envelope
No smoking
Do not step on the balloon envelope
Do not touch the envelope without gloves
Do not step on the balloon envelope

So..............I guess that you shouldn't step on the envelope

Actually, I did some crewing for the Diner's Club balloon in Chicago in the early 70's. It was a blast, except when we had to chase her all iver suburban and rural Chicago.

Ken J · 07-07-2007, 08:25 AM

Hmmm trying to get this right - are you allowed to step on the envelope? This sounds soooo confusing....

Pop Rivet · 07-07-2007, 09:26 AM

I was taught to stay inside the envelope

ScrapIrony-2 · 07-07-2007, 09:34 AM

Shouldn't you think outside the envelope...?

soldiermedic · 07-07-2007, 10:10 AM

Greetings all,

Your rally looks like it is going to be great fun, and we wish we could be there.

I wanted to cordially invite anyone who will be heading back east after the rally to stop into the Branson Forums Rally the 14-16 (If it isn't too far out of your way). Many of us will be staying past the 14th, so please feel free to drop on in for some fun and friendly atmosphere.

For information click the links in my sig.

Steve