Icannot stress strongly enough how important each and every one of theseitems are within their own right. These are things that, if you are goingto stay involved in the sport of hot air ballooning, must be commited tolong-term memory and practiced each and every time you goout to crew.
DON'T wrap a rope, etc.around your hand, fist,arm, or any other part of your body.
DON'T let the balloon lift you off the ground -- let go first. Theballoon can be
repaired fairly easily -- human beings are a little more difficultto fix.
DO always wear gloves when working with a balloon.
DON'T wrap a rope, etc.around your hand, fist, arm, or any otherpart of your body.
DON'T drink alcohol before or during crewing.
DO handle the envelope fabric by the load tapes.
DO keep an eye out for spectators and others not watching wherethey're going --
don't let them get tangled in the lines.
DON'T get in front of a moving basket or one straining to hold itsresting position.
DON'T wrap a rope, etc. around your hand, fist, arm, or any otherpart of your body.
DON'T wear nylon clothing when crewing. Nylon causes static electricythat can ignite propane.
DO keep an eye out for the pilot and/or crew chief at all times;be prepared for things to
change.
DON'T let anybody help you on the crown - one person's weight isusually enough and
another person usually means tangled feet.
DON'T smoke or light a match, lighter, etc. around a balloon.
DON'T wrap a rope, etc. around your hand, fist, arm, or any otherpart of your body.
DO wait for the pilot or crew chief to tell you what they want youto do. DON'T take it
upon yourself to make that decision.
DO be aware that your clothing, hair,camera - you name it - canget sucked into the fan, which won't stop until someone SHUTS IT OFF.
DON'T tilt or move the fan when its running, unless told otherwiseby the pilot or crew chief.
DON'T let the balloon lift you off the ground -- let go first.
DON'T let anyone walk on the balloon fabric.
DON'T let anyone mess with the Red Line.
DO stay away from the TIE-OFF line. Keep others away from it aswell.
DON'T get out of the balloon, if you get to fly, before the pilotasks you to do so.
DO make sure someone staying on the ground has the keys to the chasevehicle BEFORE the balloon lifts off.
DON'T drive onto private property without first getting permissionfrom the landowner/tenant.
DON'T cut fences to gain access to a balloon.
DON'T wrap a rope, etc. around your hand, fist, arm, or any otherpart of your body.
DO have a good time.
*Thanks to Alan Brown, DavidSmuck and Austin Aeronauts for major contributions to the above list.
