Calculate

• Familiarize yourself with the basic functions of the counterweight system. Approach the area of your stage or auditorium dedicated to the fly system (most commonly stage left) and notice each fly rail mounted into the wall. Locate the batten suspended above and connected to each of your fly rails, and note where the lift lines suspending the batten connect to the arbor of each fly rail. Calculate the amount of weight currently suspended from each of your fly rails by counting the number of lighting instruments and dimmer boxes currently suspended from each of your "electrics" or lighting battens, and calculate a total weight based on the individual weight of each fixture. Do the same for any scenery, such as stage flats or drops, as well as any "soft goods," such as curtains, drapes or teasers. If each batten has been fully raised, you will be able to see the number of counterweights loaded on the arbor resting roughly eye-level in the counterweight system. Calculate the amount of pounds each weight generates and ensure that the load weight of each batten corresponds to its arbor weight.
  
  

Load

• Disengage the safety ring and rope lock of one of the battens you intend to work with. Alert any other people on stage to clear the area and gently pull on the rope lock's "handle" mechanism and watch for any movement in the purchase line (the rope nearest you on the fly rail). If the rope moves suddenly or quickly, immediately re-engage the rope lock and recalculate the weight until the fly rail is safe for operation. If the rope remains stable, gently pull up on the purchase line to bring the batten in until it is at a working distance close to the stage floor and re-engage the rope lock and safety ring. Replace, refocus, suspend or add any stage scenery, lighting or drapery as needed. Complete this step for all battens that require work. When you are finished, recalculate the amount of weight on each batten that you've worked on and determine the amount of weight that must be added or removed to the arbors of each batten.
  
  

Secure

• Climb the stage ladder leading up to the "mid rail" or loading gallery roughly thirty to forty feet above the stage floor (you will find the stage ladder on the same side of the stage as the counterweight system). Alert all workers on stage to leave the vicinity of the rail system until you finish loading weights to the arbor. Determine which fly rails correspond to the newly worked battens and carefully add or remove weights to the arbor until you match the total weight of the batten load. Return to the stage floor and test your weight by disengaging the safety ring and rope lock on each batten and gently raising it to the desired level. Determine where you wish to hang scenery, lighting instruments and soft goods by placing stagehands in the audience and having them announce when the batten becomes invisible above the drapes on level with the proscenium arch. Re-engage the safety ring and rope lock and tie a small shoelace or other thin string at the point of the purchase line where the rope just meets the rope lock. This will help mark your desired hanging unit in case you need to fly the rope in or out at any point.