CHAPTER 4. RIGGING 43
the fly system) stand on the platform in the fly gallery to fly objects in and
out. Typically it takes two to four people to safely use a non-counterweight fly
system — one, two, or three to lift the load, the other to brake the rope and tie
it off when the batten is moved into position. The rope is tied off to the belay
pins using a figure-eight pattern.
Non-counterweighted fly systems are extremely difficult to use, not to men-
tion dangerous. The main theatre venue at WPI, Alden Hall, still has several
battens that are flown using such a system. Access to the fly gallery is obtained
by climbing the ladder to the grid, crossing the grid and descending a second
ladder. There is enough space for several people to work a set of lines, which is
advantageous, because hoisting a batten full of lighting instruments is usually
a three to four person job. Most designers try to avoid using these battens,
but occasionally using the “hemp bars”, as they are called at WPI, becomes a
necessity. Training with an experienced fly operator is mandatory for safe use
of these battens.
4.3.2 Counterweighted Fly Systems
The major disadvantages to non-counterweighted fly systems are that they re-
quire more than one person to operate, they require a lot of work to use, and
they are unsafe. Most modern theatres are equipped with what is known as
a counterweighted fly system. This type of fly system makes flying battens
significantly easier and safer, and allows for one person operation in most cases.
Counterweight fly systems are rather complex, and there exist entire docu-
ments devoted to their design, construction, and operation. Only a basic intro-
duction to the components and operating techniques will be given here. Anyone
operating a fly system should have appropriate training from a competent fly
person.
The basic principle behind counterweight fly systems is that a pulley system
and counterweight mass are used to make the job of moving a heavily loaded
batten easier on the fly operator. This mass may be adjusted for the amount of
load on the batten, thus providing for a fairly consistent feel on the operating
lines. Extremely heavy objects can be flown with relative ease, as long as the
appropriate counterweights are used.
There are two key working positions to be aware of. Most operation for
running a show occurs at the locking rail, which is at stage level. From this
position, battens can be flown in and out in a safe fashion by a single fly operator.
To raise or lower a properly weighted fly batten, the operator simply needs to
release the rope lock and raise or lower the operating line. In addition to working
at the locking rail, it is necessary to work from the weight rail to load or unload
(or strip) counterweights onto the arbor whenabattenisflowninandweight
is being added or removed. Refer to figure 4.5 for a diagram that shows the
components of a counterweight fly system.
Each empty pipe batten has weight, and therefore counterweights must be
added to the arbor for that batten. Any additional objects flown from the
batten will require that additional weights be placed on the arbor. To aid in