Launch Director’s

Second Meeting

Launch Director’s

Second Meeting

• August 19, 2010

NancyNancy

SAFESAFE

COORDINATEDCOORDINATED

LAUNCHLAUNCH

Field Officials for 2010

Assistant Balloonmeister

Chief Launch

ASST. – Bill Brennan

Nancy Wertz

Chief of Scoring Chief SafetyDan Rose

Neida Courtney Bueno

BalloonmeisterChuck Raskob

ASST. – Tammy Luna

NancyNancy

Isaac Valdez

Field After LaunchField After Launch

• DayDay Launch SectionsLaunch Sections• SaturdaySaturday South Section South Section• SundaySunday Mid Section Mid Section• Monday Monday North Section North Section• Tuesday Tuesday South Section South Section• Wednesday Wednesday Mid Section Mid Section • Thursday Thursday All Sections All Sections• Friday Friday All Sections All Sections• Saturday Saturday North North• Sunday All Sections – Final at TrailerSunday All Sections – Final at Trailer

NancyNancy

Volunteers neededVolunteers needed

• Launch Director Support Launch Director Support

Needs:Needs:Registration (Sept 30 & Oct 1st)Registration (Sept 30 & Oct 1st)

- Thursday and FridayThursday and Friday

Need to support Gas Balloon EventNeed to support Gas Balloon Event- As many As needed.As many As needed.

Support at ALL the Hot Air EventsSupport at ALL the Hot Air Events

Support at least 2 Evening EventsSupport at least 2 Evening Events

MichelleMichelle

Boy Scout Merit Badge

ICE CREAM SOCIALFriday, October 8, 2010

11am – 12n

Provide an opportunity for the Boy Scouts to earn merit badge and

become “Junior Zebras”

5

Michelle

ZITS 10!

David CrosslandCliff HolmanDavid LeeperTim Martin

Welcome to the team

BillBill

“3 Balloon Rule - 3 Row Rule”

• Watch the activities three squares down

• If the 3rd square is launching (applies to going cold and hot also), then time your preparations to be ready for flight when the LD comes to you

• Shapes need more time• Watch out for “hot dogs”

Time to get moving!!

Michelle

Launch Sequence

• Each launch consists of– Pilot Brief– Directing the pilot– Ensure airspace overhead is clear– Thumbs Up– Watch the balloon fly

• Move to the next balloon

Michelle

Pilot Brief

• Approach the basket from the downwind side– Lightly place your hand on the basket with no weight

on to anticipate movement for YOUR SAFETY

• Get their attention– Hand on shoulder– Get eye contact

• Introduce yourself if they don’t know you already• Ask if they are buoyant (ready to fly?)

Michelle

Pilot Brief Discussion

• Nearest traffic• Explain what you would like them to do

and ask if that sounds good to them• Explain hand signals first day (again if

needed)• Walk out only if pilot agrees• Weather info on updated loop on radio• Collect Chit – (No Fire, No CHIT)

Michelle

Pilot Brief Special Instructions

• Clearing the field, false lift warnings, overhead traffic, etc.

• While briefing the pilot, take opportunities to look up wind to see how things are going on the ground and in the air– The basket is a good vantage point to

anticipate what will come– This will give you an idea of what overhead

traffic to look for when you move to launch

Michelle

Pre Launch

• Clear crowd downwind by using exaggerated arm motions– Use whistle as necessary which will also alert

neighbor LDs that you are preparing for a launch– Use but do not abuse your whistle

• Move downwind at least one square to see over the balloon– Downwind may not be the top of the square!!

• Reestablish eye contact with pilot

Brad

Launch

• Watch spacing– Coordinate with other LDs – launching every

other balloon along line– “KEEP THE LINE”

• Walk balloon or “jump” if safe to do so

• Point to nearest traffic

• Thumbs up with whistle blast– Hands out away from your body– Do not whistle while radio is keyed!!

Brad

Launch

• Keep thumb up high until balloon clears the crowd

• Periodic whistle chirps to keep everyone informed a launch is in progress

• Thumbs down to hold a balloon– Show exaggerated movements for emphasis with

a safety issue

Brad

Post Launch

• Stay with the balloon until it is over the crowd and in controlled flight

• Wish them a great and safe flight– Wave or salute

• Watch for false lift and any change in direction

• Keep crowd clear as necessary

Brad

Post Launch

• Watch the direction of flight and go to the next balloon

• Be alert to wind shifts

• The speed at which you go will depend on the line– If you are ahead of the game, walk, take in the

view, before getting to the next balloon but “look busy” doing it

Brad

Team Work

• Be flexible and non-territorial– Work together to achieve a Safe

Coordinated Launch that looks awesome

• Know Section Leader’s phone numbers– Let them know at the earliest moment if

you are going to miss an event

• Continued service as an LD is by invitation only– There is no guarantee that anyone person

will be invited back the following yearSteve

Other

• Help keep LD Trailer clean• Pin trading Shall Not Interfere with Launch

– Giving pin to pilots ok – accepting their pin is ok

• No smoking on the field• No drinking alcohol while in uniform

– If you can be identified as a zebra by your attire, then you are still in “uniform”

• Last Sunday after launch– Turn in Stripes (jacket and shirt)– Help tear down and pack trailer contents

Steve

LD Check List

• Comfortable shoes for running on wet grass

• Stripes• Whistle• ID Badge• Parking Pass• Flashlight• Notepad & Pencil/Pen

• Hat• Watch• Sunglasses• Sunscreen & Lip Balm• Pins• Section Chief’s phone

numbers• Gloves/layers/extra

socks

Steve

How We Promote Safety

• Directing the launching of balloons• Monitoring launch progress and advising pilots

on status• Monitoring overhead traffic prior to launch• Keeping public clear of balloons during launch

and landings on the field• Notify Safety of obvious questions regarding air

worthiness• Monitoring well being of yourself and others

Steve

Teamwork

• Work together to keep the line– Advise pilots that if they stand early

they will stand long

• We have to work around the “RACK”

• However, the “Miner” is our own doing…

Bill

The Rack

Wind

Bill

The Miner

• When an LD is over zealous

Bill

The Miner

Bill

COMMUNICATIONISSUES

Bill

EMERGENCIES

26

Nancy

EVERYONEEVERYONE

SAFE COORDINATED LAUNCH!