We're looking for people in the area who might enjoy the experience of serving on our hot-air balloon "ground crew" team.

We're putting together a list of people who might be interested in enjoying the experience of working with hot air balloons.  No previous experience necessary.  Volunteers would be kept on a list and called up as the opportunity presents itself.  How long you would continue to help us out would be entirely up to you.  Requirements are as follows:

Times of the day that you would be needed

Weather permitting, hot-air balloons take off just after the sun comes up and/or the last few hours before the sun sets.  This means you may have to arrive as early as an hour before sunrise for a morning flight.  In the evening, we usually plan on getting started within a few hours before sunset.  We normally contact our volunteers at least a day in advance to see if they can help.  If they are willing, then we still keep in contact, because flights can only take place under certain weather conditions.  The entire process runs less than 3 hours on a normal basis.

What you would be required to do

We usually need about 2 ground crew members to go with us for each flight.  These helpers participate by helping to unload the basket and the envelope (the large colorful nylon material) off the trailer, removing the envelope from the storage bag, and then helping to hold the envelope open while it becomes filled with air. 

Once heat is introduced into the envelope and the balloon is ready to fly, you get to stand back and watch as the balloon gracefully takes off.  While the flight takes place, you can ride in our chase vehicle until the balloon lands, where you help out with deflating the envelope and packing it back up.  Then everything needs to be loaded back onto the trailer.  Depending on where the balloon lands, we sometimes have to transport the basket and the packed up balloon a short distance to the trailer.  Each of these 2 items weigh over 300 lbs each, so strength and teamwork are required.

Still interested?  Here's more information

 While some volunteers may simply want to try this out for the experience, we're hoping to pick up some regular ground crew members that may want to stay with us on a more consistent basis.  Those who help out and wish to come back on a regular basis will earn the option of getting a hot air balloon ride of their own, or using this "pass" to give to a friend or relative.  Our intention is to put together a good list of available helpers that we can contact, as we plan to enjoy a lot of hot-air balloon flying this year!

If you sign up, keep in mind that we may not call you right away.  However, we expect that helpers will come and go, so your opportunity may not be too far away.  If you have further questions or concerns that might be important to you, feel free to write. 

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