Head bottom ends? what are they like? some have told me they didn't like the burners?

[Dennis Morris]

Hello I was considering buying a new compete Head system in about 3 years, I think it is the best value out there and Tarp Head is super nice, and they have a buy back program, If for instance if you bank is hesitant about making a loan being un familar with LTA aviation, and you default Head will buy the system back, just to reassure the lending instiution, which should easily get you a loan for one. I was considering a 105 or a 118 i'd just like to haul 4 plus myself,
Does anyone know of these systems up close and personal, I'd like a opinion. IMC says Head Balloons are some of the cheaper to insure, almost every thing checks out, does anyone know of a negative aspect to Head balloons?
I mean for the money, I can find know fault with their systems...

[Austin Burrows]

Ask Lance Terry he has a head system!!
Sincerely Austin

[Brian Ball]

I unfortunately can't answer your question on the bottom ends as I've never been around one, but the couple of envelopes I've seen as replacements on other systems have been right on par in quality, (if not better in one case) with all the "big guys" envelopes. Tarp & crew build nice bags. If I'm not mistaken, Tarp was the one who sewed my Adams envelope together originally, very nice workmanship. I hope someone will offer an unbiased review of the burner.

["WEE" JOHN]

I first started my pilot training on a head balloon and overall I was very impressed. They seem to be very durable and strong. The envelopes are top notch however they are a bit heavier than some of the competitors. The bottom ends are very well built and strong. My opinion the basket will serve you well for many years. In addition to being very well built I think the basket is very pleasing to the eye. Some of the best looking baskets I have seen. The burner seemed to be very well built and easy to use. The balloon I flew had a single burner can with two blast valves. It seemed to produce plenty of power and was also very pleasing to the eye. The one drawback to the burner I used was no piezo igniter. The burner did not self center so you have to use caution when burning and assure your burner is in the right place. I really liked that burner otherwise. The drawback to the Head System is it is heavy however in my opinion the Head Balloons are well built, strong, durable, beautiful, and will give you many years of service for a great price.

[Michael Scott]

Getting parts & information in a timely fashion can sometimes be an issue. I work on a few Heads, and all in all they are pretty good balloons, they weigh a little more than other brands, but they are virtually bulletproof.

[Drew Egerton]

I've mentioned this before and still haven't heard anybody explain it so I'll try again...(I don't own a Head but will in the near future hopefully).

According to the weights listed on their respective websites (envelope only), a Cameron 77 with top 1/3 Hyperlast will weigh 215-226 depending on the model. Head's 24 gore 77 has a listed range of 215-225.

How does that weigh more? I have heard probably 100 people say that they are heavier, so maybe the numbers are skewed online, but to me it appears the same. Anybody ever actually weighed them to compare?

[Michael Scott]

Hello Drew,

I seem to recall that a Head 7(no graphics or turning vents) I work on weighs around 240 #.. maybe the weight listed dont include skirt/scoop, or is for Tarp's NexKev cables, which are much lighter than his steel cables ? I don't know.

Michael

[Drew Egerton]

Michael, you may be right. Anyway, even if they are a little heavier, a few pounds is worth another couple hundred hours to me! As soon as I get done fooling with buying this house I will be saving up for one.

[Daniel Salters]

Just so long as that bit of extra weight doesn't keep you from taking it out as much as you'd like because of the hassle-factor. Hopefully, though, it is too small of a difference to have that impact.

[Lance Terry]

Seriously Daniel. You have a picture of an Aerostar S-60 on your page so I assume that is what you fly. Aerostar Diamond Weave and its immediate predecessor square weave with the same coatings was 2.3 oz per sq. yd. Head uses 1.9 oz fabric. How can you bust someones chops about a heavy balloon when you fly one of the heaviest? The reason people are so paranoid about weight is Cameron and Lindstrand Dealer's made that an excuse when they built balloons out of 1.6 oz fabric that just did not last as long. That is why they came out with Hyperlast for the top of the envelope. It is field proven that a balloon with heavier fabric will usually last longer. It's why Lindstrand now has the Diamond Weave option, Cameron came out with Caliber to mate with Hyperlast, and TBW uses Max-flight, and Head has 1.9 oz fabric.

[Brian Ball]

The old Piccard I used to fly was made with 2.9 oz. taffeta with heavy nylon pack cloth at the throat panels. It's heavy, it stinks to high heaven and it's 35 years old with nearly 500 hours on it and I'd bet it would still pass an annual.

[Ben Miller]

Lance,
I understand where your coming from about fabric, but heavier fabric doesn't always necessarily mean that its going to last longer than lighter fabrics. Not that I am doubting Head's 1.9 oz fabric or envelope. I fly the same weight of fabric in my Avian w/ Rhino tough fabric top and I know that If I continue to fly it will last me at least 500hrs easily. And I love the Head balloon construction and details, the one that my friend recently bought is fantastic. But I also have a friend that builds homebuilts and he uses 1.3 oz Nylon w/ silicone coating and he has gotten up to 400-500 hrs with that light of a fabric. Sometimes the amount of hrs some fabric will last depends of the production and the year the fabric was produced or how the owner maintains it. Wasn't it back in the later 80's or early 90's that Aerostar(raven at the time) had fabric that would only last about 200- 300 hrs?

[Brian Ball]

BQ-11.