Balloon Flight on September 8, 2006

Hot Air Balloon Flight September 8, 2006
*The flight lifted off from the Official Toad Fish Balloon Launch Pad* adjacent to the restaurant parking lot in Fairton, NJ in the famous Greenhead balloon. Toad Fish owner Tom Seeley and his girlfriend Emily Eppes were first-time balloon passengers for a beautiful evening ride from Fairton to Deerfield, New Jersey. The pilot was Dave Gidzinski. I was the sole ground crew member until later in the flight when I was met by Ron and Bryan Tisa near the Carll's Corner.**
Departure point: Toad Fish Restaurant, Fairton, NJ Lift off time: approx 5:45 PM	Minimum altitude: 0 feet. Maximum altitude: 2200 feet
Landing Location: Near The Seabrook House, Parsonage Road, Deerfield, NJ Landing time: Approx 7:05 PM	Maximum speed: 18 mph using GPS Minimum: 0 mph.
Reported and photographed by: Bernie Sayers, driver of chase-crew pickup & trailer. Primary radio contact with the balloon.

Toadfish Restaurant owner Tom Seeley and girlfriend Emily Eppes are holding the mouth of the Greenhead open for what is called a 'cold inflation'.

The envelope is filled with cold air prior to the burner being used to heat the air.

Dave does a final walk around at the top of the Greenhead--note green head on yellow panel..

The smaller multi-color panels at the top are attached with Velcro and held in place by internal envelope pressure.

On landing, Dave pulls a line which separates the Velcro and allows air out of the envelope.

Dave makes some final adjustments prior to lift-off.

Dave adjusts altitude by either adding more hot air for lift or allowing the envelope air to cool for a descent.

A balloon gets lift because the envelope air, heated by a very high out BTU propane burner, is less dense than the outside air.

Seconds after lift-off they are on their way under the watchful eye of both Dave and a sea gull.

Emily took this just after lift-off.

See the picture below that I took of the balloon while she was taking this picture of the restaurant.

I took this picture of the balloon as Emily was taking the picture above of the restaurant and parking lot.

The balloon size is truly enormous

The envelope contains 77,000 cubic feet of air.

Although the fabric is very thin it is very strong but has almost not insulating ability.

Flying a balloon is a very delicate balance between too much hot air--which will cause a rise, and too little hot air--which will cause a descend.

A Toad Fish and A Greenhead Suitable for framing!
		I took this picture of some Toad Fish guests who had an unexpected thrill watching the balloon take off and then glide across them as it began its flight over Cumberland County.
The next four pictures are a test of the Toad Fish/Greenhead balloon flight. Do you know these pictures were taken?
Location 1	Location 2	Cumberland County: "Where the sky is the limit!" How well do you know our Cumberland county? Where are these intersections?
Location 3		Call the police! That hot air balloon is going hit the tower.
Location 4		This one is way too easy! If you can't figure this one out you need to turn in your Cumberland County voter's registration card.
Check back next week for the answers to where these pictures were taken.
		A peaceful sunset over the farmland of Deerfield.
		This is such a great picture...out of focus because I was jumping out of the chase vehicle as I took the picture.
		Another picture not great in quality but very instructive of how we put the balloon away at the end of a flight. On the left, Tom is straining to squeeze out air; Ron Tisa is hold the envelope as tight as possible as Emily wraps the envelope with Velcro tapes.
		After the envelope is wrapped with the Velcro tapes it is pushed into a large red carrying bag. Because the material of the envelope is not porous we need to push more air out to get the envelope to fit into the bag. Emily is putting her assets to work by sitting on the bag.
		The balloon envelope is finally packed away in the bag. Most people don't get the opportunity to see the huge 77,000 cubic foot balloon stuffed into the little red bag. Dave pulls the ties closed as Emily and Tom watch. In the background, Ron and Bryan Tisa are waiting to help get the bag onto the trailer.
Balloon Flights Webpage		All photos and copy © 2006 Bernard Sayers except as noted