• Rivalarrival@lemmy.today
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    6 months ago

    Well, you can show up with zero knowledge of ballooning, and the pilot will be grateful for your help. Ballooning is hands-on, blue-collar flying; there is a fair bit of manual labor involved.

    At the other end of the spectrum, experienced crew might be charged with pretty much the entire operation of the balloon until it leaves the ground, and as soon as it touches down again, as well as driving/navigating the chase vehicle, landowner relations, weather observation. They can also participate (under pilot or repairman supervision) in inspections, maintenance, minor and major repairs, and all sorts of other ancillary tasks.

    • braxy29@lemmy.world
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      6 months ago

      hot air balloons isn’t something i had given much thought to before. thank you for your responses here!

      • Rivalarrival@lemmy.today
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        6 months ago

        If you’re near Akron, Ohio, message me. I can’t promise a flight, but I can get you up close and personal.

        Anywhere else, Google “hot air balloon repair station”. Those guys work on every balloon within a hundred miles of them, and can point you in the right direction.