Design

 

 

Homebuilding a Bottom End by Chris Monk
Click on any image to enlarge

 
Having been actively involved with the Aerial Work side of ballooning for many years, I was fortunate enough to fly virtually every different hopper design to come out of the various factories.
Whilst they all had their good points, they all, in my opinion, had drawbacks when used in a working environment.


I met with one of the larger manufacturers to suggest various improvements in design, and although my points were taken on board, the outcome was that the R&D costs of improvement outweighed the commercial viability of such a relatively
small turnover product.

In short, it was suggested that I should go and build my own
hopper bottom end and we would meet again
when I had something to show them.

I was put in touch with Andy Robinson Race Cars near Reading. I showed Andy my designs and he showed great interest in the project and agreed to take on the task of building it for me. I figured if he could builld a car capable of doing 300mph in the quarter mile, he would be well qualified to build a frame capable of withstanding a 20kt landing!

The whole bottom end has been designed for safety, comfort, and for being commercial user friendly.

The frame is constructed from chrome moly tubing and airfoil chrome moly for the side protection bars. Airfoil was chosen for these side bars not only because it looked cool, but to allow a sponsor's name to be applied to the frame. It can also be finished in any colour required.

The burner is a Cameron mini mark 4 super with double feeds to twin pilot lights, whispers, and main blast valves. This has been modified to connect to a single tank fitting. The burner fully gimbals, allowing tethering in windy conditions and an easier inflation.

 

 

 

Any rego equipped tank can be used, hanging from a main hook and secured to the frame with two tank straps.
The seat and headrest are formed from glass fibre; foam covered, and finished in leather. Again in any colour required.

The fuel gauge is readable using a fully adjustable convex mirror.
A full race (naturally) 4-point harness keeps the pilot secure, again available in any colour supplied by Andy Robinson.


We have completed many flights with the 'Hot Seat', all with great success in terms of safety, comfort, and usability.
I have given it to many of my commercial pilot friends to try and the feedback has all been positive!

If you would like more information on the seat, please contact me.