When the balloon is about two-thirds full of air, the final stage of inflation begins. This “hot” inflation now creates the desired balloon shape, which up until now, has been an expensive pile of fabric, basket material, ropes and wire.

At the pilot’s signal, the fan will be turned down or stopped. The pilot will ignite the burner(s) and direct the flame into the mouth of the balloon. The two crew members holding the mouth open should exercise extreme caution to

   1) not get burned, and
   2) not get tangled in the wires.

As the hot air enters the balloon, the crown line holder should increase tension on the crown line. Be careful not to let the crown line become entangled in your clothing nor wrapped around any part of your body.

In some cases, the pilot may choose to have two people on the crown line.
As the envelope fills with hot air, the balloon should rise gently to its upright position. Available crewmembers should then have their weight on the basket, holding it in position upright.
The crown line holder’s job now is to try to keep the balloon from swinging (oscillating) back and forth. All other crew members should hold the basket on the ground.

After passengers are loaded and belongings secured, the pilot will signal the crown line holder to bring the end of the crown line in to the basket where it will be secured. The radios will be checked, passengers briefed and we’re ready to go.