They have their heads (and feet) in the clouds Balloon Tab Edition

Cloudhopper pilots wear harnesses. The pilot is strapped to a frame to which the burner and balloon are fastened. The fuel tank is attached to the frame and sits behind the pilot's back. Another type of system has the balloonist sit in a seat that folds down from the fuel tank. Landing a Cloudh...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAlbuquerque journal
Main Author Chavez, Barbara
Format Newspaper Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Albuquerque, N.M Albuquerque Publishing Company 03.10.2003
Subjects
Ninomiya, John
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Summary:Cloudhopper pilots wear harnesses. The pilot is strapped to a frame to which the burner and balloon are fastened. The fuel tank is attached to the frame and sits behind the pilot's back. Another type of system has the balloonist sit in a seat that folds down from the fuel tank. Landing a Cloudhopper is also relatively easy. It lands in small areas. With the balloon still inflated, it is possible to climb or jump over fences or other obstacles. If you have to, a deflated Cloudhopper can be carried short distances. [John Ninomiya] says flying a Cloudhopper can be a much more physical experience than flying a conventional balloon. A windy inflation might require some strange contortions to get into the harness; a windy landing might require you to drag your lower body through treetops or brush to slow down and then run or be dragged on the ground.
ISSN:1526-5137