[balloon-makers] Load Tape Positioning

[Mike Collier]

I just finished building an ultralight cloudhopper.  It's 22000 cubic feet
and has an empty weight of 149 lbs.  I designed it with the load tapes
running down the center of each of the 24 gores.  I posted pictures in the
yahoo cloudhoppers group in the "Work in progress" photo album.

http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/cloudhoppers/photos/browse/7555

Mike Collier
Grand Prairie, Texas



-----Original Message-----
From: private e-mail address
[mailto:private e-mail address] On Behalf Of Jon Radowski
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 2:24 PM
To: private e-mail address
Subject: Re: [balloon-makers] Load Tape Positioning

Kasey,

I believe Paul Craven's balloon was built the way you originally
described. It's a natural shape envelope comprised of solid horizontal
panels (with no mid-gore panel split) and the load tape running down
the center (Aerostar S-series), rather than the edges (Boland style).

I see no reason why the underlying fabric would be any weaker than if
there were a vertical folded fell seam underneath the length of the
load tape (which is what you'd have if you had panel splits ni the
center of the gore).

The point on the fabric that will first tear near a seam is the first
line of stitching (tear-on-dotted-line syndrome). Fabric weave, stitch
length, needle/thread size, and UV/wear-and-tear will determine the
final strength of the fabric. Seam type has very little to do with it.

Hope this helps.

Now I'm off to Glens Falls... Happy building!


Soft Landings,
Jon Radowski
Pilot, Space Shuttle Patriot Hot Air Balloon
Pilot/Constructor, "NAILED!"
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