These guidelines are presented for the safety of the balloon team and passengers. Ballooning is great fun, but safety always comes first at the Carolina BalloonFest.

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 Clothing Suggestions

• Wear sturdy, flat shoes with good traction.
• Wear clothing made from natural fibers such as cotton or wool.
• Wear layers of clothing so that articles can be removed as the temperature warms.
• Wear gloves when handling the balloon equipment.
• Tie back long hair. Do not wear long dangling earrings or sharp jewelry.
• Do not wear scarves, other types of loose clothing, or clothing with draw strings that could become entangled in ropes, inflator fans, etc.

While On The Field

• Take directions only from the pilot or the crew chief.
• Do not smoke near the balloon. It is fueled with propane which can ignite. Cigarette ashes and butts can melt holes in the fabric.
• Do not step on balloon fabric! If you step on the envelope and there’s a small rock or twig beneath your foot, it can pierce through the thin fabric and create a hole.
• Handle the envelope only by the load tapes (heavy tape sewn between the colored panels, which is more durable than the nylon fabric). Do not grab and pull on the fabric.
• Do not wrap ropes around your hands or any part of your body. If you can’t hang onto a rope, then let it go.

Launching The Balloon

• Listen to your pilot and follow ALL directions. Alert the pilot or crew members if you have any concerns.
• During the launch, stand at the side or back of the basket. Never stand directly in front of the balloon’s flight path.
• “Weight on” means to put your weight on the basket; “Hands only” means to rest your hands on the basket without applying any weight.
• Never take your feet off the ground!
• Be sure that all equipment is secured in the chase vehicle before leaving the area.

During The Chase

• If you’re assigned to drive the chase vehicle, keep your eyes on the road. Rely on the navigator to track the balloon.
• Obey all traffic laws. The chase vehicle receives no special privileges.
• Drive on roads parallel to and slightly ahead of the balloon’s flight path.
• Do not drive onto public parks, schoolyard lawns, golf courses, grassy ball fields or other sites where the truck could damage the property.
• When communicating with the pilot over the radio, keep transmissions brief. Let the pilot initiate communications.
• Never try to contact (and, therefore, distract) the pilot during landings.
• No one under the age of 16 may ride in the back of an open pickup truck
• Do not sit on truck’s side rails
• Open alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the chase vehicle while on a public highway

Recovering The Balloon

• Park the chase vehicle out of the way of traffic.
• Wait until the vehicle comes to a stop before jumping out.
• Remain clear of the balloon’s flight path. Stay to the sides and rear of the basket during the landing.
• When grabbing onto the basket, be sure to keep your feet on the ground. If the balloon starts to climb let go of it immediately!

Landowner Relations

It is sometimes necessary to land on private property. Thus, good landowner relations are essential to ballooning. It is important that you help make the landowner’s experience a positive one.

• Always be courteous and friendly.
• If at all possible, obtain permission before driving the chase vehicle onto private property.
• Be aware of and respect any pets, livestock and vegetation.
• Keep spectators out of the area unless the landowner is present and has given permission.
• Do NOT cut fences or force locks to obtain entry. Make sure that fences and gates are left as you found them. If a dispute arises with the landowner, the pilot will intervene. The pilot is responsible for any consequences of a landowner dispute.

Passenger Instructions

Although we never anticipate a hard landing or emergencies, there is some risk inherent in ballooning. If the wind has increased, be prepared for a bumpy landing.

You must be in good health, without history of back injuries, knee problems or other physical ailments that might render you more susceptible to injury.

During your flight, do not touch the balloon’s fuel system, burners, instruments or ropes.

In preparation for landing, the pilot will remind you to:

• Point out any obstacles, such as power poles, in your path
• Hold on tightly as instructed by the pilot
• Bend your knees
• Continue holding on until the balloon comes to a complete stop
• Remain in the basket until the pilot directs you to exit

Power Line Safety

Among the most serious hazards in ballooning are power lines. If the balloon should collide with power lines, it is critical that you follow these procedures.

• Do not try to bring down the balloon, if it is hanging on the wires. You can endanger yourself as well as the pilot and passengers. The wires may be charged.
• Stay at least 100 feet away from downed lines or the balloon, if any part of it is in contact with power lines and the ground.
• Your priority is to call Duke Power at  800-769-3766 immediately. Describe as specifically as you can the location of the balloon. Give street intersections and/or the number on the power pole nearest to the balloon.
• Let the pilot and passengers know help is on the way. They should stay in the basket until help arrives.
• Keep the crowd under control and away from the balloon and power lines.