Balloon Flight Checklist
Preflight
1.
2.
Brief crew
3. ground
Inflation
1. Face flap to
2.
Secure upright to
3. Docs - 2 ignitors - Drop line
4.
Attach burners & fuel lines
5.
Meter pilot valves off
6.
Turn tank valve 1/8, for leaks
7.
Turn tank valve full & back 1/8
8.
Fuel pressure >90 psi
9. for leaks
10.
Shut tank valves OFF
11.
Connect cables to basket, bottom 1st
12.
13. Lay out
14.
Brief crew @ opening
15.
Fan: FUEL – FACE – START
16. telltales
17. Secure Top
18. interior fabric & lines
19. Even inflation
20.
Turn down
21.
Open liquid valve tank FULL & back ¼
22.
Ignite burner pilot
23.
Pop igniter & lift
Pre-launch
27. fuel gauges – fuel pressure
28. Altimeter – Radio
29. Give final crew instructions
Prelanding
1. Obstructions
2.
Brief
3.
Face travel
4.
Bend knees & ankles
a. Hold basket handle in upright position,
do not hold onto pilot or each other
b.
Stay in basket until relieved
5.
Ensure landing space
6. Hold basket
Retrieval
1.
Turn off TANKS, PILOTS, INSTRUMENTS, RADIO
2.
Vent propane to cool burners
3.
Remove top with crown line tension
4.
Sleeve balloon and pack
5.
Vent lines excess propane
6.
Disconnect lines, cable & burner
7.
Police field
24. Short blast inflation
25.
Stop as clears ground
26.
Short blast to = equilibrium
Appendix C: Balloon Flight Checklist
Student Balloon Flight Checklist
Preflight
1. Weather briefings
2. Documents
3. Fuel check
4. Crew briefing
5. Passenger briefing
6. Layout & assembly
7. Inspection
Inflation
1. Crew briefing
2. Fan placement
3. Equilibrium
4. Board passengers
5. Basket check
6. Instrument check
7. Fuel
Launch
1. Final crew instructions
2. Obstacles—Clear
3. Traffic—Clear
Descent/Approach
Recovery
1. Secure deflation system
2. Secure envelope
3. Secure heater
4. Secure basket
5. Pack-up
6. Fuel check
Landing
1. Monitor passengers
2. Secure fuel
3. Secure heater
4. Deflation
1. Passenger briefing
2. Obstacles—Clear
3. High wind landing
4. Water landing
Postflight
1. Fueling
2. Report discrepancies
3. Storage