Crew Chief
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Crew Chiefs discuss the proper procedure for reinstalling the Adams "Pop-Top" after deflation. |
| Crew Chief: The Crew Chief is a combination Father Confessor, Gorilla, Mean-Spirited Yahoo, or Inspired Leader, depending upon the view of the other crew members. The Crew Chief assists the Pilot with the flight launch inflation procedure. (for those of you who give a flip).The Crew Chief position is a demanding position because the "Chief" pulls it all together, ever watchful of what crew members are doing all the time that the balloon is being inflated. If a manual pyrometer is being used, the Crew Chief is usually the one who attaches it to the inside top of the balloon. The Crew Chief also checks to see that the vents of the balloon are in proper working order. If the Velcro tabs at the vent location are disconnected, the Crew Chief connects them during initial inflation. The Crew Chief also keeps an eye on the orientation of the balloon to the basket. The Crew Chief may direct an Inflation Monitor to pull out a panel (or two) on either side as the balloon is being inflated so that the proper orientation is maintained during inflation. At hot inflation, the Crew Chief usually assumes a position beside the basket holding the cables out of the way of the burner so that the flame does not touch the cables The Crew Chief is also responsible for the overall safety of the crew during inflation. The Crew Chief personally checks crew for loose clothing such as draw strings on jackets, and other items that could get sucked into the fan through carelessness before the inflation process begins. On landings, the Crew Chief assists the Pilot by climbing up the basket and making a shield, so that when the top is popped, the balloon fabric will not come in contact with the hot burner. In still winds, this is critical because the top generally falls straight down on top of the basket and contact with the hot burner is inevitable. The Crew Chief plays another important role called landowner relations. If the Pilot lands his balloon on private property, the Crew Chief will try to contact the landowner for permission to send a chase vehicle onto the property. Once permission is granted, only the minimum number of crew will proceed with the retrieval. Landowner relations is a very important subject. Irate landowners can declare their property a prohibited zone (pz) and further landings will not be allowed on that property. Crew Chiefs are the ones who catch hell when something goes wrong, and ignored when things go right. Crew Chiefs like to be ignored. |
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Crew Chief Dave checks cable alignment before the pilot attaches them to the basket. |
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