TRIP REPORT - ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO CA-50 HOT AIR BALLOON TRIALS

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05416076
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: February 15, 2017
• Case Number: F-2008-00941
• Publication Date: January 17, 1963

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U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 19 0-342531
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7 January 196 3
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
Subject : Trip Report - Albuquerque, New Mexico
CA-50 Hot Air Balloon Trials
1. During the period 4-10 January trials of the two-man
hot air balloon system were held in Albuquerque, N.M. Weather
on the whole was ideal -the reason this area was selected �- bad
weather moving in terminated trials one day earlier than planned.
Representing Raven Industries were:
Ed Yost - Balloon Pilot and Sales Representative
Frank Heidelbauer - Chief, Ground Grew Marager
Gino Mancuso, Ground Handler
Russ Pohl - Company Representative
J. R . Smith - Engineer
Representing TSD were:
SD/R&D/EB
C/TSD/R&D/EB
TSD/OA/CAB
Old al eleased by his Commanding Officer to assist in the ground
crew was Jesse Spradling, USAF, who had previous balloon experience
in an Air Force program with Raven personnel a few years ago. His
specialty was as a photographer, but his experience with balloons and
knowledge of the local terrain were of great assistance after the injury
of Mancuso on the first inflation attempt. Airman Spra.dling, Mancuso
and Heidelbauer were not knowledgeable of the true sponsor in this work,
but were advised that the TSD representatives were from ONR.
Z. The first day of work was spent in reviewing the equipment and
an attempted inflation which was aborted on the injury of Mancuso who
inadvertently hurt the fingers of his left hand in the propeller of a small
Z-cycle inflation blower. Components of the CA-50 System and
characteristics are:
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a. diameter by approximatly 75' high.
old type - rnylar plastic laminated with nylon;
new type - vinyl plastic impregnated nylon. The new
material is not subject to delarnination, weighs less (110 lbs
for the balloon) and rolls into a more compact bundle when
deflated. Balloons made of both materials were flown and
bindle(' during the trials.
b. Gondola orplatform An aircraft plyw
sandwich about 4' by 5', slightly curved along the longer axis.
Weighs 40 lbs, suspended from balloon by nylon lines at each
corner; carries two men and equipment, two fuel tanks and
instruments.
c. Burn Simple propane burner with pilot light and preheat
coils. Weighs 13 lbs., stainless steel construction, has regulator
valve, needle valve and blast valve with a quick disconnect fitting
to fuel tanks. The burner is supported over gondola in mouth of
balloon on a steel bar which also serves as a spacer for the balloon/
gondola suspension lines.
d. Fuel tanks - Stainless steel tanks of 2Z gal. or 30 gal. capacity
are provided. They weigh 37 lbs. and 51 lbs. respectively. Two
tanks are carried on the gondola, one at each end, perpendicular
to the long axis. They are secured to the platform on cg�dles with
leather straps and interconnected with reinforced flexible high
pressure tubing.
. Instruments Thre
aluminum lunch
at one end of the gondola.
contained are a rate of asc
' ht instruments are mounted in an
suspended over one of the fuel tanks
eighing 4 I/2 lbs., the instruments
descent meter, an aircraft altimeter
and a pyrometer. The pyrometer is connected by wire to its heat
sensing element located a little above the widest girth of the bag
when inflated. By indicating the temperature prevailing at the
surface of the hot air balloon. the instrument provides a reading
which can be used to maintain equilibrium, since it is the difference
between the temperature of the gases within the balloon and the
atmosphere directly outside that determines the amount of lift
of the balloon.
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Generally, the balloon can be expected to carry 600 lbs.
men and equipment for about six hours if 60 gallons of
fuel are aboard. A crew oi about four men are needed to
the balloon with more -nen necessary to control the bag if
there is any wind at all. The balloon can ascend rapidly from a small
clearing and clear high obstructions under proper circumstances.
Within the parameters established by the System's size, weight,
fuel capacity, gondola space, etc., its capabilities are directly
determined by the operator's skill and the weather.
4. During the trials four free flights of short duration were
made, each with two men aboard, one with an additional 95 lbs., of
blank paper leaflets which were dropped from various altitudes to
observe dispersion. A brief tethered flight was also made to
provide rine man with limited practice of controlling the balloon.
The most difficult aspects of operation appeared to be inflation and
landing.
5. Inflation is accomplished by blowing air o the bag through
kin with a small portable 2-cycle gasoline engine. The blower
be the burner which lies on the ground between the gondola
stretched out balloon. A hoop holds the mouth of the bag open
ing the operation. A portable burner is used to heat
the air ahead of the blower. lie difficulty occurring more than once
during inflation was the opening or vent in the balloon perraitting
the loss of hot air if not managed properly. This vent is used to aid
in controlling the balloon'a atitude, primarily in descent. It is norrnalJ
:losecl when the balloon is inflated but must be held closed until this
dition is nearly attained. Time for a practised crew to unload and
set up the system for inflation is about 10-15 minutes. Inflation time
also is about the same under average conditions.
with two men a
6. Launch is achieved after inflation when sufficient
developed to carry the payload. By holding the balloon down forcibly.
additional lift can be developed before launch so that when the System
is released rate of climb will be very rapid and nearby obstacles may
be safely cleared.
7. Landing is effected by letting down gradually until the gondola
hits the ground. At this moment a careful timing is necessary to prevent
dragging of the gondola and its occupants. A squib is fired by means'of
a pull cord spinning & bicycle generator. The squib cuts a tie off cord
at the top of the balloon, permitting it to open wide and exhaust the hot
air rapidly. During this operation the balloon acts like a large spinnake;
dragging the gondola. By releasing the appropriate lever the suspension
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lines supporting one side of the gondola slackened, alio
the curved gondola to drag efficiently not upending or dig8Ltin �
Occupants remain aboard until stopped by grasping a centrally
Located line in the gondola. Of the four free flights, two landings
were very smooth and two somewhat rough. The first rough landing
was due to pilot and crew error resulting in taro rapid deacent and
failure to operate the balloon opening squib circuit at a timely moment.
Damage sustained by the gondola in this landing was severe but
repairable. The second rough Landing appeared to be due solely to
mechanical difficulties - with the burner out because of a faulty
pilot light an additional blast of hot air was not available to more
gently lower the balloon. At touchdown the squib fired but the top
of the balloon did not open. After dragging briefly (about 15 yards)
the oc,pqpqna tumbled out and the balloon quickly ascended. It
flew another 12 minutes empty until the air cooled sufficiently to drop
again-21_0n recovery it was found that this balloon had not been properly
rigged sathe top tie-off - an excess of protective leather tucked under
itself prevented opening of the top. This new balloon had never been
previously inflated or test flown - an tuueceasary risk indeed.
8. Operational disadvantages noted by the undersigned a
a. Size of crew needed to h
attendant to this operaticaa;
late d noise
d�
b. Noise and light of burner ation, (Raven Representativi
stated that the light was difficult observe at night and may be
easily taken for a flickering star). The burner in operation makes
a considerable roar similar to that of a large blowtorch or tar-
heater;
c. System the mercy of weather
wind, both in velocity and direction;
d. Need for
ime, area and
problems,
the
g of agent user in piloting and navigation -
at of such training coupled with obvious security
9. Modifications and imprey
viewed with Raven personnel
odifications range from oak
screening the blower through efforts at rnor
S.
spect to protective
td efficient operation
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of tbe b
of opera
necessary - v�
toward the goal of, rain
flights determination
and feasibility of ni
10. The undersi
rn and its basic wor
m for infiltration or e
that few clandestine agen
accompanying
vagaries at the wind. Bulk, time to inf
mitigate against successful =destine 1
remote areas. Pilot and crew training wotild ins'
considerable weight in planning operations and a
many areas of the world. It is suggested that the
e develcpm
a of various component
modifications, deve
m ground crew and
ability to navigate th
lity and sirnplicfty
are conslderect
'ling tee
time, diaration
ractic
It depends upon the
I operation al
y but the most
iably be a factor of
obstacle in
requesting division's
quirernents be carefully reviewed and any exceptions or shortcomings
ed befon final models or specifications for production models are
accepted in fulfillment of the requirements.
C/TSD/CAB/SD
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Mir
uary
edfor suitabi
discussed, repacked
launch s
(2 inexperienced) one rIX
flight over eastern
gondola - primarily plict error
was running out of usable landin
7 January
Launched at 08.1
minute flight une
balloon vent.
CO
hour an
sided hard suburban area damaging
though wind car into mountains
Yost and
hour and forty -fly
'ties noted with
ing. Yost and
hrs. same site used 7 January. Su
ascent gained by holding balloon on ground w
flight of one hour and tea minutes terminated when
running out. Drifted towards mountains 5 and West
although eioxts made to change direction ing altitude looking for
other winds. Exceflent landing. Yost and
After
valve and contr
9 Ja
valves probi
inflated. Sewed bag valve c
made with about 95 lbs. wars
for test drops. Two housiazul
carried straight East to rootmtains w
ch si
can
delays caused by malfunctioning
d previously not tested or
working properly. PUght
zes blank paper 1
flight terminated because wind
g for final leaflet drop.
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Mir
Landing dig ult and co
and burner pilot light ou
out, balloon failed
Recovered several
no darna
cause
Yost an
' ated it
Dragged pe
se on firing
urther
en
ted further it
ion of trials.
of bag
nnel at touchdo
squib and r
additional twelv
Balloon failure to c
and improper tying off.
light.
- conference on problemsnd
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CA-50 HOT
PAYLOAD
CRUISE TIM�
JEL - PROP
10,000 ETU
R:
Brass valves
problem
Pilot light nliabi
4.5 it
40 lb s.
74
7 lbs.
00 lbs.
Avg. 6 hrs.
. 4-15 lbs
-.04 lb.
NNED CHANG
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W
BALLOON
Improve vent openting and
Improve kirt ring and pins
Fool proof top tie off *yet
for tanks instead of leathe..
easier release
ye release lever safety p
all protective screening
mounted an blower.
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