Patrick's 1999 Summer Adventures

Patrick's 1999 Summer Adventures Patrick's Latest Adventures

Travel Log and Photo Essay for Summer of '99 Adventures

My Summer Adventures Phase 1 starts off with a hot air balloon flight over the Maryland country side. Pilot Randy Danneman test fires the propane jet burners in the predawn darkness. We will use about 15 gallons of our 30 gallon fuel load, on our 8 mile journey including two touch-and-gos and two tree-topping exercises.

It is an all hands effort to launch the balloon. Here I am helping to reefer the balloon's envelope to ensure that it fills with air properly upon initial inflation. Our crew chief is Dorinda Danneman.

Here I am working the cold air inflation fan which forces thousands of cubic feet of air into the balloon per minute. It is equiped with an aircraft quality propeller blade.

After I complete the cold air inflation, Randy tilts the basket over and fires the burner to throw hot air into the balloon This process makes the balloon start to take real shape and rise up.

As the balloon inflates, Randy puts the burners to glow and the chase crew checks for leaks or tears in the fabric. Next to us is another balloon which chose to launch with us. The balloon is piloted by retired Air Force test pilot Fitz Fitzpatrick, Chuck Yeager's mentor and best friend.

After full inflation, Randy checks all the safety equipment, satellite navigation systems (GPS), and performs a radio check with the chase crew. The chase crew will follow our flight path on connecting roads, using topographic maps, radio communications, and GPS. Although a balloon can be piloted by just one person, the Federal Aviation Administration requires that at least two persons are on the chase crew. The driver is only allowed to drive while the other member uses the above mentioned systems.

A shadow shot of our balloon floating over the Maryland foothills as the sun rises. Except for the occassional roar of the burners, it is absolutely quiet. The cool, dawn temperatures were a relief before the heat of the summer's day would became uncomfortable.

Tree topping is the term used to describe skimming tree tops. To accomplish this the pilot will vent the balloon to let it drop. Just before touching the tree tops he will hit the burners to heat the balloon's air again. Just as we touch the tree tops in this subdivision of metropolitian Washington DC, the balloon starts to lift.

Pilot Randy put us down on a cul-de-sac in a new subdivision near Gaithersburg, Maryland. Nobody was home. If they were, we were obligated to give them a bottle of champagne. With me on the ride is Karen.

After landing, the fun isn't done. It is time to deflate the balloon and pack it all up in the chase vehicle. Wow! What a ride. It is something that has to be experienced. Randy's Web site is Fantasy Flights.

Return to Patrick's Page
Return to Launcher Page

©1999-2000 P.N. Beland, All Rights Reserved.

	My Summer Adventures Phase 1 starts off with a hot air balloon flight over the Maryland country side. Pilot Randy Danneman test fires the propane jet burners in the predawn darkness. We will use about 15 gallons of our 30 gallon fuel load, on our 8 mile journey including two touch-and-gos and two tree-topping exercises.
	It is an all hands effort to launch the balloon. Here I am helping to reefer the balloon's envelope to ensure that it fills with air properly upon initial inflation. Our crew chief is Dorinda Danneman.
	Here I am working the cold air inflation fan which forces thousands of cubic feet of air into the balloon per minute. It is equiped with an aircraft quality propeller blade.
	After I complete the cold air inflation, Randy tilts the basket over and fires the burner to throw hot air into the balloon This process makes the balloon start to take real shape and rise up.
	As the balloon inflates, Randy puts the burners to glow and the chase crew checks for leaks or tears in the fabric. Next to us is another balloon which chose to launch with us. The balloon is piloted by retired Air Force test pilot Fitz Fitzpatrick, Chuck Yeager's mentor and best friend.
	After full inflation, Randy checks all the safety equipment, satellite navigation systems (GPS), and performs a radio check with the chase crew. The chase crew will follow our flight path on connecting roads, using topographic maps, radio communications, and GPS. Although a balloon can be piloted by just one person, the Federal Aviation Administration requires that at least two persons are on the chase crew. The driver is only allowed to drive while the other member uses the above mentioned systems.
	A shadow shot of our balloon floating over the Maryland foothills as the sun rises. Except for the occassional roar of the burners, it is absolutely quiet. The cool, dawn temperatures were a relief before the heat of the summer's day would became uncomfortable.
	Tree topping is the term used to describe skimming tree tops. To accomplish this the pilot will vent the balloon to let it drop. Just before touching the tree tops he will hit the burners to heat the balloon's air again. Just as we touch the tree tops in this subdivision of metropolitian Washington DC, the balloon starts to lift.
	Pilot Randy put us down on a cul-de-sac in a new subdivision near Gaithersburg, Maryland. Nobody was home. If they were, we were obligated to give them a bottle of champagne. With me on the ride is Karen.
	After landing, the fun isn't done. It is time to deflate the balloon and pack it all up in the chase vehicle. Wow! What a ride. It is something that has to be experienced. Randy's Web site is Fantasy Flights.