Specifications + Operations

Specifications & Operations

[20:1 scale model]

One person is seated on a top frame next to a stash box -- the black and white markings on each stash box are different and provide orientation for the crew members. The other person is standing on the grapple launching platform (the launcher has been removed). A G box forms the center of a Y frame and is located just just above his head.

The long tapered triangular framing on the left side is one leg of the Y frame. The narrow end of each base leg of a Y frame is connected to a corner of the triangular frame from the bottom of the G box. The third or outer leg of the Y frame extends outward from the top of the G box and supports one of the 3 outer balloons. The green utility box is seen on the left side outboard of a corner of the top frames.

Basic system

Two main units each supported by 6 balloons, plus 2 "T" balloons (14 balloons total).Underslung articulating titanium framing is supported by the 6 balloons. The framing is comprised of 3 top frames forming a triangular frame. 3 rotatable "Y" frames are each attached at two corners of the triangular frame. Balloon support points are at the corners of the triangular frame and the outer ends of the 3 Y frames.

The minimum height of a unit in the flat configuration is less than 37 feet -- allowing a unit to be "cut down" into the jungle canopy to avoid high winds. Units disassemble for shipment by truck, air cargo plane or ship.

Volume: .................178,780 cubic ft (14 balloons)

Total area: ..............2,642 square ft (1 balloon)

Gross lift...............11,200 pounds (approx.)

The weight of the needed equipment, the supplies and the maximum number of persons to be onboard require careful evaluation for each trip.

Crew size -- Training (16), Normal (6, minimum of 4; 2/main unit)

The outer balloon fabric is silicon-dacron (inner 2nd layer is a metalized He barrier film; EVOH).

The rate of travel is projected to be no more than 18 miles a day in a no wind condition. 4 miles a day is projected for travel upwind into a 10 knot wind. Whenever possible,

trips should be planned to be largely downwind.

The grapple launchers (3 per unit) are mounted on launch platforms which are outboard and below each gunner's box (or G box). The grapple launchers are bunge powered and launch a grapple with nylon rope. The launch speed is a function of the distance to be covered and the weight of rope to be launched. It should average about 45 mph. The force provided by the loaded bunges can be varied to suit the load and the distance.

An 11 oz titanium grapple flies with forward curved backswept wings (slight dihedral angle) which are also the grapple arms and which are bolo weighted at the wing tips. Lead-edge claws with impact-locking ratchets secure the grapple to trees and/or vines on impact. A secured grapple can be released by sending a weight down the rope.

Each main unit carries about 100 pounds of liquid helium which is enough to refill all of the balloons once. The boiloff helium is used as makeup gas for the balloons.

The titanium winch has been under development since 1994. It has 4 speeds in either direction; pneumatic, electric or manual; tails in and out; finger-proof; with remote controls; continuous duty cycle; cable or 1/2 inch rope. Each main unit has 6 winches, 2 at each corner. The cage under each T balloon has a winch. An electric "sand" winch is located above the triangular platform of each main unit. It is a backup for the sand winch on each launch platform. It is normally used to haul people and supplies up and down from the ground through the miller doors in the center of the platform. The sand winches are used to arm the bunges which power the grapple launchers.

Operation of the winches and grapple launchers is hazardous and requires careful training. They are lethal if not properly used.

The general rule is that having two main units which work together is much safer and much more efficient than having one main unit alone. This is however offset by the fact that they must work as a team and the launching of grapples, the winching, the release of grapples and the positioning of T balloons is a complex ballet requiring attention to detail and the circumstances of the moment. The crews on both main units and the person under each T balloon must all function together as a team to get the job done properly.

The wind conditions and the purpose of travel, surveys or relocation, affect the manner of movement. The availability of wind shelters such as the lee side of a hill or mountain and wide canyons can affect the strategies of travel. The time of day frequently results in a change in the wind direction and intensity and these factors may be important.

The mind set of the crew should be somewhat like that of 15th century sailors. Patience, careful preparation for grapple shots and a lack of urgency all help to make travel safer and more efficient. Fatigue and sickness are the real concerns; tired or sick people tend to make mistakes. If a container (stash box, G box, etc.) was left open, it is best to assume that a snake got into it. It is easier to check (or better yet, purge it) than take the risk.

The front of a main unit is defined as the side of the triangular platform (10 ft x 10 ft x 10 ft) which touches the miller's doors (two doors which open upward to allow a person or supplies to be raised onto or lowered down from the platform). The opposite corner is the rear of the unit (the blue corner).

The 3 top frames form a triangular support which is supported by balloons at the corners. These corners are fitted with "cable frames" which are in turn connected to platform in the center and below the cable frames. The steps which are built into the cable frames allow a person to go from a corner of the top frames down to the platform. Each of the 3 cable frames houses two winches and their motors in a corner of the triangular frame. The cable frames allow easy access for operation of the winches.

The forward facing G box and its grapple launcher normally does most of the work. A grapple launcher freely rotates until locked for launch and can be aimed over a range of about 220 degrees. The forward winches on either side are generally used alternately. Commonly only one of a pair of winches on a corner is in active use. The other one can provide passive anchorage. The floor of the G box (which forms a sleeping platform when it is level) is then at about 45 degrees. This floor becomes a door which rolls up to give access to the launcher platform. In this configuration the launcher easily shoots a grapple upward at 45 degrees.

Sets of spring poles extend safety nets outward about 12 feet on all sides from the two main units. These sag downward when an object or person falls into a net. Below the corners of the top frames there is a swivel yoke which can position two of these spring poles. These 3 sets of poles support half of the safety nets. The other half of the safety nets are supported by 3 swivel yokes positioned just below each G box. The swivel yokes allow the position of the spring poles to be easily adjusted. The safety nets have 6 sets of "open zipper locks" built into them. These allow a rope to pass through the net (vertically) without disturbing the net. The winching protocol require this arrangement to avoid disturbing the safety netting.

Outboard of the two forward corners (of the top frames) are large cantilevered corner boxes (utility boxes) which are 4 ft deep, 4 ft long (outboard), and tapered from 3 to 4 ft in width. These contain utility equipment (compressor, cryogenic storage, etc.). Outboard of the rear corner is a larger command center which is 7-1/2 ft deep. Access to it is by a short 3-1/2 ft ladder. In this region the safety netting is 3-1/2 ft lower. Like the 3 G boxes and the stash boxes, it is fully air conditioned and heated. The bottom of the ladder also supports the articulating hammer-headed saw (which normally extends to the rear) which is just below the safety netting. this arrangement slightly complicates the use of the 2 rear winches in the cable frames at the blue corner.

Baby Safari.US -- Akilo.Com -- The Snow Water Corporation

2 Hayfields Road, Portola Valley, Ca 94028 -- (800) 872-5244