Ballooning - Map Folding

Balloon Pong Guide to:

Map Folding

by Joe Zvada

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et’s start at the beginning: the objective is to fly to a predetermined target. Sounds easy enough, but you’re just floating if you don’t know where you’re going. Here’s a hint, look at your map. The answers are right there on that beautiful piece of topography. But it’s not going to do you any good crumpled up behind a tank or left in the truck.

Treat your map with respect and it will return the favor by guiding you to where you want to be, the target.

Truth be told, a solid flight plan is beneficial for any balloon flight.

Leaving the ground with a plan is good practice for all. It starts with a quality fold.

1) First, identify the flying area. It’s

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generally in the center of the map, but not always. At the Nationals in Longview flying is centered over the city during the first few days then moves to the airport south of the city for the weekend. In this scenario a re-fold would be necessary for the location change - preferably before you are in flight.

2)The most important reference on the map are the grid lines used to plot points on the map. In briefing you’ll use these lines to plot fixed targets. In flight you might use them to plot the track, the aircraft’s current location, or a pilot declared goal. It’s important to make sure that both latitude and longitude numbers appear in the main fold of the map. If a map doesn’t have www.bfa.net

grid lines labeled in the flying area it is a good idea to write them in yourself. I will often highlight the grid labels to make them easier to find when in a rush.

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3) To fold the map (keeping the above considerations in mind) I start with a vertical fold left then right of the flying area, following with horizontal folds above and below the flying area. The result is a map with a much smaller footprint displaying the area most likely used during a flight with easy access to outer areas if needed. A couple more center folds will reduce the size further allowing easy stowage in the flight bag.

Visit BalloonPong.com/map-folding for a video presentation of this map folding technique.

Personally, I reference the paper map as much or more than my electronic map program so I place a high priority on plotting all targets before leaving briefing.

Using the grid references given on the task sheet, find the approximate location of the target. I mark the target with an X on the map and then label it according to the task number. If it’s task 5 of the event I’ll label it 5, or 5a, 5b, 5c if it is a multiple target task. Once these are labeled, I use the same abbreviations for the GPS and the mapping software so that all my targets are consistent for easy reference. Better organization can help maximize task points, find what works for you and stick with it.

Ideally, before leaving briefing all tasks are plotted on the map making it easy to visualize the flow of the flight. The main question I look to answer is what altitude I need to fly to get the proper turn between each target. It is also a good opportunity to check for any PZs that might be in the flight path. If there is a PZ between the second and third task of the day, I may mark that on my task sheet as a reminder that I need to avoid it.

During the flight, the map can be used to track the aircraft’s posiJanuary/February 2015

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tion by plotting current coordinates obtained from the GPS or just by using landmarks; a crucial task if you don’t have a moving map display on board. More useful for me, however, is plotting and choosing PDGs and FONs. Using a plotter, I can quickly mark and plot several options for a PDG/FON at different bearings faster than using a computer.

Above - Bad map folding/management Right - Good map folding/management

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An important consideration when working with a map is the variation between true and magnetic bearings. Most GPS units give headings and bearings in reference to magnetic north. Bearings pulled from a map plot will be in reference to true north. A simple addition or subtraction of the magnetic variation for the area allows conversion between the two. Find the magnetic variation from a VFR Sectional Chart or Google search before the flight.

Maps, along with other instruments like GPS and iPads, are tools to help you know where you are and where you need to go, but no tool will fly the balloon to the target for you. Everyone’s flying style is different, so learn what tools work best for you, and have enough self awareness to know when the tools may be a distraction. If nothing else, fold the map and keep it with you as a back up to electronics - you’ll be kicking yourself sooner of later if you don’t.

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