Counter Weight Flying: Difference between revisions

The reason for using a double purchase system is usually lack of vertical space. A Double Purchase system does not need as much height for the cradle, frame and runners as a single purchase system. In the Single Purchase set the cradle, frame and runners need to be the same as the full travel distance of the flying bar, in a Double Purchase system the cradle will only move half the travel distance of the flying bar.

The fact that the DP cradles are much bigger actually creates a major problem when it comes to moving the bars with little or no weight on them. Since the bars are exactly the same as their SP neighbours the empty DP sets are very heavy to move and do not exactly take double the weight of the flown piece at lighter loads, the cradle itself messes up the calculation. You will get used to it, eventually, but be careful in the meantime

 

In 2012 the main rope deads for the Counterweight system was re-done. Please use this system when flying a show, to stop any confusion on the fly floor. A universal system works much better in a "recieving venue" with multiple fly persons.

Deading on the counterweight sets is much easier. We only have to dead one rope (the control line) and it is normally deaded just above the brake assembly as shown in the diagram above.  

There are also permanent “Grid Deads” on each of the counterweight control line ropes, these are marked slightly differently to avoid confusion and are always red and white. (we don’t use red for anything else) . These Grid Deads warn the operator that the bar is approaching the grid, they are marked as 3,2 and 1 red stripes as a countdown to the point where the bar clatters off the grid. Hitting a Counterweight Bar off the grid is considered VERY bad practice and normally carries the penalty of buying everyone else in the vicinity a beer in the pub that evening.

6.  Once the scenic item is attached and checked, the floor manager will request that the correct number of weights will be loaded into the cradle. Stage crew may be required to maintain downward force on the bar to act as a counterweight against the loaded cradle either manually or by ropes slung over the bar depending on total weight of the scenic item.

7.  Once the cradle is loaded the loading gallery will inform the floor manager and flyperson that the cradle is loaded.

3.  The floor manager will instruct the fly person that the stage is clear to bring bar in until scenery is floating just above stage. The floor manager watches at all times and gives clear vocal instructions to the fly person as the bar approaches the floor. Walkie Talkies should be used where possible.

6.  Once the rope is secured and clipped the fly person informs the loading gallery and floor manager. The floor manager then asks that all weight be removed from the cradle. The stage crew continues to apply weight on to the bar until the procedure is complete and the loading gallery confirms that the cradle is empty.

7.  When the cradle is clear of weights the loading gallery confirms that the bar is safe to de-rig.

 

8. Only once the cradle is empty but still with the brake and clip applied is it safe to de-rig the bar.

The gaps at the edge of the grid area '''MUST''' be filled with the supplied blanking plates when not in use.

 

The steel lines which are attached to the flying bar, tavel up to the grid, go through a series of pulleys and attach to the cradle via ''Short, Short Mid, Long Mid, Long'' steel wire rope.

 

Attachement between the scenery and the drift, '''MUST''' be bolted through the flat and then attached normally to a straing screw which in turn is shackled to drift.