HUMPTY DUMPTY FLIES!!!!
One perk of being part of the official photography team and having Media credentials here at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta (AIBF) is one can sign up for a balloon ride. These rides are available on a space available basis. Today, October 9, 2019, I signed up and was able to get a ride.
I was up early to get signed up on the ride list. I stayed in the Media Tent and waited for my name to be called. A little after 0630 I heard my name called and I was surprised to learn the balloon I am assigned to is Humpty Dumpty. I was given a ride ticket and told Humpty Dumpty was located at launch site D-3 and to give the ride ticket to the pilot. The launch field is gridded with a letter and number system. Off I went to find my ride, and soon was signing additional releases required for the ride.
One perk of being part of the official photography team and having Media credentials here at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta (AIBF) is one can sign up for a balloon ride. These rides are available on a space available basis. Today, October 9, 2019, I signed up and was able to get a ride.
I was up early to get signed up on the ride list. I stayed in the Media Tent and waited for my name to be called. A little after 0630 I heard my name called and I was surprised to learn the balloon I am assigned to is Humpty Dumpty. I was given a ride ticket and told Humpty Dumpty was located at launch site D-3 and to give the ride ticket to the pilot. The launch field is gridded with a letter and number system. Off I went to find my ride, and soon was signing additional releases required for the ride.
While walking over to meet the balloon crew I sent Lynn and Mary a TXT to advise I was going to be flying. I TXT I sent said I was flying in Jumpty Dumpy. They got a laugh out of the auto correct.
Humpty Dumpty is a special shape balloon, as you will see in the photos, piloted by Richard Lawhorn of Louisville, KY and the Crew Chief is Carol from Colorado Springs, CO. It became obvious from the get go this crew had their act together and was a well run operation.
When I arrived, the envelope had already been laid out, Humpty Dumpty is face down, the gondola on it’s side, and cold inflation fans are at the ready. As Humpty Dumpty is placed face down he seemingly will do a pushup as he is inflated.
The balloons are first cold inflated using a gas powered fan. This helps the envelope get its shape. Next the burners are fired and the air in the envelope is heated. As the air is heated, the balloon rises, and the gondola stands upright.
I am then instructed to get in the basket, and Richard, the pilot, conducts a safety briefing.
I was glad my friend Mary was there as the day warmed up and she was able to pack up some of my warm clothes into the chase vehicle. She also got some great photos of us launching.
There was another passenger in the basket with us and to prove it is a small world it was an attorney/balloonist I knew from Jackson, WY.
A Zebra (Launch Director) contacted us and asked if the crew could walked us over to a clearer launch location. Soon we were given the thumbs up for a launch. We quickly ascended and were off.
Our flight path took us to the North, away from the launch field. The projected landing target was Corrales. The chase crew departed as soon as we were aloft. As we flew over the Rio Grande River, Richard decided to descend and follow what is called “the drain”. The river cools the air and we flew low over the river. We watched other balloons doing the “Splash and Dash”, touching the basket into the river and then ascending. Along the river on a sand bar was a group of kayakers beached and having breakfast as they watched the balloons fly by. I was hoping they would have tossed us a doughnut.
We flew a bit further South and then ascended to fly a bit further to the West, where we located a landing spot. We landed in a sandy area with scattered sage and other bushes. Our landing was upright and another chase crew came over to stabilize Humpty Dumpty, until Humpty’s Crew arrived.
Then it was all hands on deck to get a tarp out to lay Humpty Dumpty on as he deflates. Then the envelope is slowly deflated. Next the envelope is laid out and straps are used to hold the envelope together. Next the envelope is packed into a bag.
The Basket is carried over to the chase vehicle and everything is loaded. We pack into the chase vehicle and drive back to the launch field. At the launch field, a cork is popped, champagne is poured and Richard recites the Balloonist Prayer as a toast.
The winds have welcomed you with softness. The sun has blessed you with its warm hands. We have flown so high and so well that God has joined you in laughter and set you gently back into the loving arms of mother Earth.
I am so thankful for the warm reception I received from the whole crew of Humpty Dumpty, I wish them safe flights.
Humpty Dumpty is a special shape balloon, as you will see in the photos, piloted by Richard Lawhorn of Louisville, KY and the Crew Chief is Carol from Colorado Springs, CO. It became obvious from the get go this crew had their act together and was a well run operation.
When I arrived, the envelope had already been laid out, Humpty Dumpty is face down, the gondola on it’s side, and cold inflation fans are at the ready. As Humpty Dumpty is placed face down he seemingly will do a pushup as he is inflated.
The balloons are first cold inflated using a gas powered fan. This helps the envelope get its shape. Next the burners are fired and the air in the envelope is heated. As the air is heated, the balloon rises, and the gondola stands upright.
I am then instructed to get in the basket, and Richard, the pilot, conducts a safety briefing.
I was glad my friend Mary was there as the day warmed up and she was able to pack up some of my warm clothes into the chase vehicle. She also got some great photos of us launching.
There was another passenger in the basket with us and to prove it is a small world it was an attorney/balloonist I knew from Jackson, WY.
A Zebra (Launch Director) contacted us and asked if the crew could walked us over to a clearer launch location. Soon we were given the thumbs up for a launch. We quickly ascended and were off.
Our flight path took us to the North, away from the launch field. The projected landing target was Corrales. The chase crew departed as soon as we were aloft. As we flew over the Rio Grande River, Richard decided to descend and follow what is called “the drain”. The river cools the air and we flew low over the river. We watched other balloons doing the “Splash and Dash”, touching the basket into the river and then ascending. Along the river on a sand bar was a group of kayakers beached and having breakfast as they watched the balloons fly by. I was hoping they would have tossed us a doughnut.
We flew a bit further South and then ascended to fly a bit further to the West, where we located a landing spot. We landed in a sandy area with scattered sage and other bushes. Our landing was upright and another chase crew came over to stabilize Humpty Dumpty, until Humpty’s Crew arrived.
Then it was all hands on deck to get a tarp out to lay Humpty Dumpty on as he deflates. Then the envelope is slowly deflated. Next the envelope is laid out and straps are used to hold the envelope together. Next the envelope is packed into a bag.
The Basket is carried over to the chase vehicle and everything is loaded. We pack into the chase vehicle and drive back to the launch field. At the launch field, a cork is popped, champagne is poured and Richard recites the Balloonist Prayer as a toast.
The winds have welcomed you with softness. The sun has blessed you with its warm hands. We have flown so high and so well that God has joined you in laughter and set you gently back into the loving arms of mother Earth.
I am so thankful for the warm reception I received from the whole crew of Humpty Dumpty, I wish them safe flights.
Ground Crew and Flat Humpty
Richard the Pilot in Blue
Carol the Crew Chief
Cold Inflation
Several Balloons Splash and Dash
Gonna need a bigger fence.
Touchdown
Packing The Envelope
Mary helping to cold inflate
Humpty doing a Push Up
My ground Crew doing a Video
A toast
Here is a creative item
No comments:
Post a Comment