Flight Manual for Gas Balloons of Type NL-STU
Issue 2.0
May 02, 2016
Page 6-4
6.7.4 Appendix pull-close line
The appendix pull-close line consists of a braided artificial fiber line. It is attached to the lower
appendix ring (Poeschel ring), runs in a spiral around the appendix and upwards through a
guide ring to the deflection thimble on the upper appendix ring. From there it hangs down into
the basket and runs back to the lower appendix ring (Poeschel ring). The appendix can be ei-
ther opened or closed by pulling on one of the two sections of this line.
6.7.5 Appendix anchor line
The two appendix anchor lines are attached to the clamping ring by means of crow’s-feet and
ring nuts. These lines prevent the lower part of the balloon from being pushed up inside the up-
per part in the case of a rapid descent. These lines also prevent the lower part of the balloon
from forming a sail if the basket is dragged along the ground after landing.
6.8 Electrostatic charging
All conductive parts of the balloon must be connected in a conductive manner in order to pre-
vent accidents resulting from electrostatic charging. This results in discharge paths for the elec-
trostatic charge. The discharge paths start at the parachute, are routed via the envelope to the
appendix or via the suspension ropes, and end in the stainless steel cables of the basket. The
surface resistance of the components is less than 10
9
Ohms, while the resistance of the con-
nection between the components is less than 10
6
Ohms.
6.9 Inflation aid
The inflation aid is used to hold down the envelope at the start of the inflation operation. It con-
sists of a tarpaulin with a belt for attaching the envelope and the sand bags. The belt encloses
the folded envelope at the upper cross seam. The belt ends in a steel ring at one end and a
pipe at the other. When attaching the belt to the envelope, the four rings of the holding down
patches, the ring of the holding rope attachment and the end ring of the belt are pushed onto
the pipe in a specific sequence. A short safety belt attached parallel to the pipe holds the rings
in position by being pushed through a hole at the end of the pipe and blocked with a toggle to
prevent it from being pulled back out. The tarpaulin to which the belt is stitched serves to cover
the sand bags so that the envelope and the sand bags do not touch when the envelope is
raised. The sand bags, whose weight serves to keep the envelope on the ground, are attached
to the tarpaulin with two snap-hooks.
