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What are Hot Air Balloons Made of?
Envelope Rip-stop nylon is the most common material. Polyester,
dacron and other fabrics are sometimes used. The lower portions around the
opening are usually made from a fire resistant material like Nomex, similar
to what race car drivers and firemen wear. It contains approximately 1,500
to 2,000 yards of fabric and more than three miles of thread.
Burner The burner is the power plant of the system. It is fueled by
liquid propane carried onboard the balloon and generates up to 20 million
BTU's of hot air per hour.
Gondola ~ Basket Woven wicker is used because it is lightweight,
flexible and easily repaired.
Fuel System Hot Air Balloons use propane. |
How long does it take to inflate and deflate the balloon?
Once the envelope has been laid-out and the cables attached to the basket, a
portable (gasoline powered) fan pushes air into the envelope. When the
envelope is almost filled with cold air, the propane burner is ignited and
the air inside is heated enough for the balloon to rise to an upright
position. With a small amount of additional heat the balloon will become
buoyant. The inflation usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes. It takes about
the same amount of time to deflate and pack up the balloon after the flight.
(Right) The balloon crew
uses a fan to help inflate the balloon. |
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How do Hot Air Balloons work?
Hot air rises. The air inside the envelope is heated by the burner. If the
air in the envelope is allowed to cool or if the hot air is 'vented'
(allowed to escape) from the balloon, the balloon will descend.
(Right) Getting Ready for
an early morning flight. |
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How do you steer a Hot Air Balloon?
The pilot controls the balloon's altitude to find a wind going in the desired
direction.
Burning raises the temperature in the balloon to ascend.
Venting releases hot air from the balloon to decend.
Once the pilot has found the desired wind direction, he/she will maintain that
altitude by momentarily burning to keep the balloon's temperature constant.
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How big is the Sunny Side Hot Air Balloon?
The Sunny Side balloon is 105,000 cubic feet and stands
about 9 stories high. Most recreational balloons range from 65,000
to 105,000 cubic feet. Our balloon can only hold 4
people, including the pilot.
A balloon uses about 1,800 square yards of nylon fabric, 3 miles of thread,
and 1/2 mile of reinforcing nylon webbing.
The average size balloon carries 30 to 40 gallons of fuel and weighs
anywhere from 400 to 700 pounds on the ground.
In the air, the complete system, including the air inside the
envelope, has a mass of 2 to 4 tons.
(Left) The Balloon Crew helps deflate
the balloon after a flight. |
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How many people does it take to fly a Hot Air Balloon?
It only takes one Pilot to fly it, the Pilot needs 3-4 crew people to safely
launch a balloon. Duties of the crew include launch preparation, following
the balloon in the chase vehicle, obtaining permission from the landowner
for landing, and retrieval of the balloon after the flight. Safety is the
primary concern of both pilot and crew; followed closely by concern for the
rights and protection of property owners on the ground.
(Left) As you can see, it takes quite a
few people sometimes to help setup the balloon. |
When and How Long do Hot Air Balloons Fly?
Many variables in the weather influence a pilot's decision to fly. Most pilots
agree that a breeze of 4 to 8 miles per hour is acceptable. The best times to
fly are early morning (sunrise) and about two hours before sunset. The winds are
usually calmest then. Ballooning is a fair weather sport that can be enjoyed
year round. The length of a balloon flight is determined by many factors,
including the outside temperature and the weight carried. On a cold day, with
only one person flying, a longer flight is possible. The
Sunny Side flights usually last about an hour.
How High do Hot Air Balloons Fly?
Most balloonist's enjoy a flight from just above the tree tops to about 4,000
feet. The world record for a hot air balloon is about 65,000 feet.
Are all Hot Air Balloons alike?
All hot air balloons consist of a burner system, a basket and an envelope. The
differences are in the shape and size of the envelope, the deflation system, the
basket shape and design and the configuration, design, and number of burners.
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Who can fly a Hot Air Balloon?
Anyone who earns a Balloon Pilot Certificate from the Federal Aviation
Administration can fly a balloon. To get the rating, one has to fly a
minimum number of hours with an instructor, make a solo flight, and pass
written, oral and flight tests. In the United States, you must be at least
16 years old. There are two categories of license, Private and Commercial.
You don't have to be able to fly an airplane since it is a completely
different type of aircraft, although many balloon pilots also fly other
types of aircraft like airplanes and helicopters.
Ballon pilot Jerry Cowles admires the
Bureau's newest chase vehicle. . |
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Where do Hot Air Balloons Land?
A Hot Air Balloon travels with the wind; it is not possible to determine an
exact landing site before the flight. A pilot's first concern is safety. A
typical landing spot is clear of crops, livestock, small trees, power lines
or other obstructions. Whenever possible, permission of the landowner is
obtained before landing.
The balloon is being prepared for
flight, first you have to stretch the balloon all out on the ground. |
How do you get home again?
After the balloon is launched, the chase crew follows in a chase vehicle. Using
maps, two-way radios, and visual contact, they try to be present when the
balloon lands. The crew helps the pilot deflate and disassemble the balloon, and
the balloon and all the people are driven back to the launch site in the chase
vehicle.
What are all of the ropes for?
The crown line on top of the balloon is used to stabilize the balloon during
inflation. "Tether lines" are used to tie the balloon down for display purposes.
A "drop line" is sometimes released by the pilot just before landing so the
ground crew can pull the balloon to a desired location. A "Vent line" is used to
release the Hot Air after landing.
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