HEAD BALLOONS, INC.
P.O. Box 28
Helen, GA 30545 U.S.A.
(706) 865-3874
emaiI: info@headbaIIoons.com

(800)-HEAD BALLOONS
 
 

Instructions for Continued Airworthiness Manual

Our "current" Maintenance Manual is our original one, dated June 10, 1984.  There are no revisions.
click here to download this Maintenance Manual.

We are working to complete our new "Instructions for Continued Airworthiness Manual".  It and all revisions will be posted here once completed.  Please check back.
 

Burner Maintenance

We are seeing more and more improper maintenance done on the burner blast valves of all brands of balloons.  Unfortunately, many repair persons do not know the proper use of Teflon tape.  Improper use of Teflon tape can be extremely dangerous in a hot air balloon burner.

Here is an excerpt from our Instructions for Continued Airworthiness Manual -

"The “O” ring in each blast valve (Rego 7553T or Sherwood LV440) MUST be replaced at every annual or when the valve operates sluggishly.  Lubricate the “O” ring with high viscosity silicone lubricant , Unmedicated Vasoline Petroleum Jelly, or similar lubricant.   Use two wraps of Teflon tape on the hex bonnet threads (BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL TO LEAVE THE FIRST THREAD EXPOSED.  IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE PROPER USE OF TEFLON TAPE – DO NOT USE IT, LEAVE IT OFF!!)  and tighten to 60 foot pounds."
 
We have seen several cases where the first threads were covered with Teflon tape.  When the bonnet was screwed back into the valve, the tape past the first thread was cut off.  Subsuquent use of the burner and the flowing propane caused the cut off teflon tape to go into the hot coils of the burner where the teflon tape shriveled up into a rock hard ball(s).  This ball or balls can seal off one or more orifices whenever the blast valve is opened, thus reducing the output of the burner.

Take a look at the photos below that show the proper way to install Teflon tape and the improper way.

WRONG!  WRONG!!  WRONG!!!
This was recently removed from a burner that was in for annual.  Note the teflon tape down in the spring - next stop orifices.
 

IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE PROPER USE OF TEFLON TAPE – DO NOT USE IT, LEAVE IT OFF!!