Hot Air Balloon Lingo

Baggie

A Baggie is a 3 1/2 ounce bag of sand, rice, beans or corn meal dropped by the balloon pilots to hit a target on the ground. Closest to the center of the 30 foot “X” wins the most points for that task.

Baggies are usually made from the same material as the hot air balloon and has regulations on weight, size, and tail length to ensure fair competition.

A basket is the part that carries the pilot and passengers. Most are made of woven rattan with a plywood bottom.

Depending on the manufacturer, some baskets are triangle in shape and some even have doors!

While balloons fly only during the daylight hours, they often gather after dark to use their propane burners as huge night lights, causing their balloons to “glow.” The balloons are tethered to the ground (or the bumper of their chase vehicle) and act like giant “fire flies” as their lights twinkle in the dark.

The Chase Vehicle is the van or truck following along on the ground as the balloon flies overhead. The crew helps when launching or landing. No balloon goes out without a chase crew.

The balloon envelope is the large balloon part of the craft. Made of rip-stop nylon or polyester, it lasts about 500 flying hours. It is made of the same material as parachutes and can serve the same purpose, if needed.

Two or three small helium-filled balloons released prior to flight to test the winds. 

Helium—An inert gas used by balloon pilots for the small “pibal” balloons they release prior to a flight to judge the wind directions aloft. Sometimes pilots use a stream of shaving cream when in the air to judge the wind direction below them.

When two balloon envelopes bump in the air or on the ground while inflating

Load Tapes are straps of fabric running vertically and horizontally on the balloon envelope. They support the weight of the basket and passengers.

A Splash and dash is when a balloon basket touches down on a body of water and then immediately lifting off again.

Sometimes this is used to help a pilot show down or change directions.

A Tether is a thick rope that keeps the balloon attached to its chase vehicle. Often pilots will give “Tether rides” taking passengers up just the length of the rope and then back to earth.

Balloon Competition Tasks

Competition tasks may be one or a combination of two or more challenges for balloon pilots during a single flight. Many target areas will be set at roadway intersections unobstructed by trees or power lines.

Pilot Declared Goal

PDG—Pilot Declared Goal—Each pilot selects a map coordinate as a personal goal. The pilot writes the map coordinates and a description of the goal and turns it in to the race officials before the flight begins. Pilots then launch all together from the same area and attempt to reach their personal goal to throw their markers as near that goal as possible.

JDG—Judge Declared Goal—All pilots launch from the same general area with boundaries set by the officials. Each pilot will attempt to reach the same target and many will arrive at the same time to jockey for position.

MJDG—Multiple Judge Declared Goal—Several targets will be set in the area. Each pilot will choose a goal to use as a personal target. Pilots choose a target while in flight and drop a marker as near as possible to the center of the “X”.

ELBO—Each pilot will fly from the same general launch area and attempt to achieve the greatest change of flight direction during the flight. Pilots will take off from spot A, drop a marker at point B and again at point C. By drawing an angle using the three points, the pilot with the smallest angle in flight will score highest.

HNH—Hare and Hound. A single balloon will fly away to land and place a target on the ground. All other balloons will attempt to fly to the same spot to drop a marker on the hare’s target.

FIT—Fly In Task—Pilots find their own launch areas and attempt to reach a set point. Maximum and minimum launch limits are set. For instance, all competitors may be required to travel at least 5 miles from the goal to launch but no more than 10 miles.

FOT—Fly On Task—Each pilot declares a goal to which he or she flies after dropping a marker in another task site.

GBM—Gordon Bennett Memorial—Pilots attempt to drop markers within a designated area with definite boundaries. No points are scored for those who do not land a marker within the defined area.

WSD—Water Ship Down—A two-part task, pilots will find their own launch sites and fly to a target. At a specified time, a hare balloon will take off adjacent to a target. Pilots must drop one marker at the target location and then fly on to the Hare’s landing spot to drop a second marker.

MAX—Maximum Distance—Pilots must drop a marker within a defined scoring area. They choose their own launch sites as far as possible away from the target. The pilot scoring highest on this task will be the one who travels the longest distance and is still able to drop a marker within the scoring area.

MIN—Minimum Distance—Pilots will attempt to fly the shortest distance within a definite period of time. Many will stay near the ground for this task to avoid higher winds at higher altitudes. An additional penalty for touching the ground during the task is imposed.

CRAT—Calculate Rate Approach Task. Pilots must drop markers at a target within a limited time period. Points are scored for only those pilots whose markers are dropped within the scoring area during the very short period of time.

LRT—Land Run Tasks—Pilots will attempt to achieve the greatest area of a triangle from the launch point to two other points.

STFT—Shortest Flight Task—Competitors fly from a designated launch area and drop a marker in a scoring area. Winner of this task will have the shortest distance from launch point to marker drop point

MDDD—Maximum Distance Double Drop—Pilots must fly from a designated launch area and drop their markers as far apart as possible within the scoring area.

MNDD—Minimum Double Drop—Competitors fly from a designated launch area and drop their markers as close together as possible in different scoring areas.