How To Launch A Balloon

Albuquerque Aloft, a prelude to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, is held the Friday before Fiesta (October 5). The unofficial Fiesta kickoff, balloons launch from various schools around the city. This year, a balloon launched from M's school, piloted by a kindergarten teacher. I rushed to the school early in the morning to photograph the launch of "Mary Alice In Wonderland" with Cam, who had arrived a few days earlier from New Hampshire with Gail.

If you are interested in ballooning, here's a primer for launching your hot air craft. First off, you need a funky little trailer announcing to the world that you are really serious about your hobby.


You also need a lot of friends with muscles. Launching a hot air balloon takes a bit of work. First, the propane burner is assembled on the wicker basket (or gondola). Next, the propane lines are connected and tested, to make sure the burner is firing properly.



Now it's time to lay the envelope (that's the actual balloon) on the ground and prepare to inflate it.



A hot air balloon is first inflated cold, using a large, gas-powered fan.




The crew holds the envelope open for inflation.





No one is sure these folks ever made it out alive after the balloon swallowed them head-first.



Happy Cam-per.


Time to turn the gas on and get this baby aloft. Cold air sits on the ground, but hot air rises!





Final check before lift off.




And they're off!