By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
To crew or have fun maybe the question or not, but chasing a balloon can be fun and have its own rewards of a once in a lifetime ride in a hot air balloon.
Year after year you see the same faces at the annual balloon rally, many traveling many miles to help crew for a balloon and many are rewarded with a balloon ride. But what does it take to put that balloon in the air. One, a dedicated chase crew and the more the merrier as more people make it easier to handle the balloon and basket and make it more fun. Not only in preparing the balloon for flight but also afterwards when it comes time to pack everything up.
I know I’m not supposed to personalize my stories but this one I will as I helped crew for Lofty and pilot Gerry Graff Friday morning at the 2019 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally held here in Raton over the July 4th Holiday. I began thinking about what it takes to put a balloon in the air and why it is so much fun and work. Yes I know, been there done that, is the excuse I hear quite often when it comes to attending and helping out at the balloon rally.
But to get a balloon ready for flight takes a small crew to get the balloon filled and standing upright. The pilot usually prepares the basket and attaches the balloon to the basket while the crew unfolds the envelope and spreads it out. Then the fan is started up while two crew members hold the throat open to get the air in as the balloon begins to fill with air. The crown rope is held by one or two people to help spread the balloon and keep it stable while it fills with air while others set the crown and make sure nothing binds up under the weight of the balloon envelope.
Once the balloon has filled with air the pilot begins to heat the air up with a huge propane burner and the envelope begins to stand up. The pilots who attend the Raton balloon rally are a great bunch and keep their sponsors first and foremost in mind but if a sponsor doesn’t provide crew to help, chase crew is recruited from the attending public. With a multi day event the sponsor may only provide crew for one or two days allowing the general public a chance to participate such as I have many times in the past. And many times the pilot will say you hop in and take a ride, such as I have been offered for helping on several occasions.
Once the balloon is inflated and off the ground it is time to load up and follow the balloon. Sometimes the winds are favorable and the balloon almost comes back to where it took off and other times like Friday morning the winds carry the balloons in one direction. The chase crew then should be close behind so that when he balloon lands, it’s all hands on deck to help stabilize the balloon on the ground. Once the balloon has been deflated it’s time to pack things up. Here is where it’s, the more the merrier, as the huge balloon is carried and packed away in the balloon bag. The big thing here is to get all the air out of the envelope so it will easily fit in the bag.
Now it’s time to carry the balloon and basket to the chase vehicle. Sometimes the chase vehicle can get close to the balloon and its little work to load up, other times like Friday morning the balloon is a ways from the chase vehicle and has to be carried out. Here is where the more the merrier makes the job easy. Once everything is loaded up, its back to the field and time for refreshments and sometimes even a first time rider ceremony.
Part of the enjoyment of the chase crew is meeting new people, and darn you might even learn something new. Over the years a camaraderie is established, especially if you crew for the same balloon over the years, friendships develop. But the ride in a hot air balloon is the reward for the work. You might say, but what’s so special about a balloon ride. Up in the air its almost magical. Its surprisingly quiet and tranquil a sheer enjoyment away from the hustle and bustle. And the feeling of floating up high above the ground, WOW it is memorable. The view of the scenery, one that isn’t often seen is awe inspiring. Sometimes it’s very emotional for the rider as they do this in memory of someone lost. Others for the sheer enjoyment of the flight. Believe me when I say, yes been there done that, but I will do it again. Its well worth the time.
