Pilots, balloons preparing for KDF events
The U.S. Bank Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloonfest is set to take off splashing more than 30 different balloons in the sky as a canvas of sorts.
Many unique balloons, including the French Lick Resort Balloon, will be on display and getting ready to take flight as part of the many events of the Great Balloonfest this weekend.
Things heat up early for balloon pilots and crews as they prepare for Great Balloonfest events on the ground and in the air.
“Best time of year for me here. I can’t get enough of it,” said balloon pilot Jerry Copas.
This part of the Kentucky Derby Festival is exhilarating, showing off many colors and shapes of each balloon like art dancing across the Louisville skyline.
It’s serious business being a pilot high above the crowd.
“We have to qualify according to FAA regulations and our balloons have to be tested every 100 hours,” Copas said.
Before the balloons go up, pilots like Copas have to keep a close eye on the forecast.
“(We) call the weather service required to as pilots to get thorough weather briefing,” Copas said.
As long as the forecast calls for sunshine, winds less than 12 miles per hour and clouds stay out of the way, balloons will fly.
The hot air balloon is the oldest successful human carrying flight technology.
It’s made from lightweight and strong synthetic fabrics like nylon or polyester called an envelope. Each balloon has a basket that carries a pilot and passengers.
Before taking flight, Copas and his crew work to fill the 77,500 cubic feet of space with cold air.
“It’s the most simple way to fly we capture a big cloud of hot air that we heat with a burner inside of our basket and light air rises.”
Once the balloon is inflated, pilots must fire up a propane burner giving them lift.
The burner is fueled by tanks inside the basket.
“Twenty-one million BTU’s pretty, pretty powerful, throws a lot of heat around,” Copas said.
With so many different shapes and colors in the sky, sometimes even pilots get lost in the fun of the Great Balloonfest.
“Love this time in Louisville. French Lick is excited to have a balloon this year,” Copas said.
In the Balloon Glow’s 22-year history, it has only been canceled twice.
via – WLKY.
