care when sliding the fabric across the ground to avoid  causing damage. All balloons have an even number of load tapes. By using the  number on the load tape when spreading the envelope, the  envelope can be arranged in a proper position for inflation.  With one crewmember on each side of the envelope fabric,  start at the mouth and travel the length of the appropriate load  tape, pulling the fabric taut up to the equator. This allows the  bottom to be laid out flat. Be careful to handle only the load  tapes when positioning the envelope because pulling on the  fabric could cause damage. Holding a load tape and flapping  up and down gently helps avoid tears and other damage while  spreading the envelope. This action traps a small bubble of air  which floats, rather than drags fabric and keeps the balloon  cleaner and easier to pull.  [Figure 6-11] basket according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This  method minimizes handling the fabric on a rough or dirty  surface. It requires more diligence by the ground crew to  ensure it deploys correctly. Check the deflation system at this time and properly position  it in accordance with the balloon flight manual. While the  envelope is filling with air, the crew can assist the process  by lifting upward on the load tapes, allowing more cold air to  pack the envelope. This method allows the envelope to deploy  smoothly and easily, even with a small inflation fan. When inflating on pavement or a small or narrow launch site,  many pilots prefer not to deploy the envelope on the ground.  Instead, they prefer to pull the envelope straight out from  the basket, making sure the top gore is on top its full length,  and to inflate the envelope entirely with the fan. This may  require a larger fan, depending on the size of the balloon and  envelope material.  [Figure 6-12] Once the balloon is stretched out, ensure the control lines  (deflation, cooling, or rotating) are correctly attached to the  Fan placement and techniques are as varied as the pilots who  fly. It may appear that every pilot has a slightly different  technique for placement and use of the fan, but the general  principle is the same. The fan should be placed to the side of  the basket  [Figure 6-13],  with the air flow directed into the  mouth of the balloon to inflate the envelope, but far enough  The type of inflator fan needed for different layout techniques  depends primarily on the amount of work required. The  strip layout method requires a large, strong fan to force the  envelope into shape, while the spread layout method requires  less fan energy. Inflation out of the bag is a coordinated technique in which  the envelope is cold inflated directly out of the bag. With  the envelope suspension connected to the basket, it is pulled  progressively out of the bag as the fan is running, inflating  the envelope as the crew slowly, with pauses, carries the  balloon bag away from the basket while the envelope fills.  Another variation, the progressive fill, has the crew holding  the envelope in their arms, gradually releasing more and more  of the envelope, from mouth to top, until the very top of the  envelope is released for filling. The progressive fill packs the  lower portion of the envelope with cold air, and exposes less  of the fabric to the ground. This method generally results in  a faster inflation, but may create problems with attaching a  parachute top or ensuring that lines are not tangled.  6-11 Inflator Fan Placement Strip Layout Progressive Fill Figure 6-11.  A spread layout. Figure 6-12.  A strip layout.