|
This photo shows one of the support crew pulling on a safety rope. These ropes are attached to the top of the balloon as it inflates and keeps the envelop from moving vertically too rapidly and unexpectedly. If it rises in an unpredictable fashion, the huge flames which heat the air would ignite the balloon wall and cause a lot of damage. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque, NM