Balloon Flying Menu > Preparing For Flight > Preflight Operations > Layout > Progressive Fill

Inflate out-of-the-bag is a technique in which the envelope suspension is connected to the basket. The envelope is pulled progressively out of the bag as the fan is running and inflating the envelope as the crew slowly, with pauses, carries the balloon bag away from the basket while the envelope fills.

Another variation of the progressive fill has the crew holding the envelope in their arms, gradually releasing more and more of the envelope, from mouth to top, until the very top of the envelope is released for filling.