Balloon Flying Menu > Preparing For Flight > Preflight Operations > Layout > Strip Layout

When inflating on pavement or from a small or narrow launch site, many pilots prefer not to deploy the envelope on the ground. Instead, they prefer to pull the envelope straight out from the basket, making sure the top gore is on top its full length, and to inflate the envelope entirely with the fan. This may require a larger fan, depending on the size of the balloon
and envelope material.

Once the balloon is stretched out, make sure that the control lines (deflation, cooling, or rotating) are correctly attached to the basket, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This method minimizes handling the fabric on a rough or dirty surface. It requires more diligence by the ground crew to make sure it deploys correctly.