Balloon Facts
- Hot-air ballooning takes advantage of a basic law of physics: hot air rises.
- A Hot air balloon rises because the air trapped inside is less dense than the air
on the outside of the balloon.
- The part of a balloon that traps this hot air is called an
"Envelope" and is made of either Nylon or Polyester fabric sewn
together in pieces called panels and gores.
- Balloons are not steered mechanically like other kinds of aircraft. Wind
speed and wind direction are often layered at different altitudes. The pilot ascends or descends until he or she finds
wind going in the desired direction.
- The pilot has close control over altitude and the rate of ascent or decent by regulating the burner and
vent. Most balloons have a parachute valve at the top to release hot air, which can be opened by pulling a valve line. Once hot air is
released or if the balloon is simply allowed to cool, the balloon will descend.
- Inflation begins when cold air is pushed into the balloon envelope with a portable
fan. When the envelope is full of cold air, the burner is ignited and the
inside air is heated until the balloon becomes buoyant.
- Hot-air balloons usually fly anywhere from treetop level in unpopulated
areas to as high as 3000 or 4000 feet. Balloons usually cruise around
500 or 1000 feet. The world record for altitude in a hot air balloon is
over 60,000 feet.
- Hot-air balloon pilots must be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration. Pilots earn their certificate by passing a written exam,
and a flight test. Logging a specified number of hours in a balloon, as well as the submission of a medical
statement is also required.
- There are a wide variety of specialty sizes and shapes of balloons, most use the
traditional spherical shapes ranging in size from 65,000 to 105,000 cubic feet in volume and
standing 55 to 70 feet high when inflated for flight.
- The price of a new hot air balloon begins at $12,000 or so and goes up from
there to as much as a $200,000.00. for complex special shapes. Balloon rides
in the Northeast usually cost in the $200.00 to $225.00 range.
Balloons usually do not fly and are rarely able to inflate for operations at midday because of thermal instability due to the sun's uneven heating of the earth. Gusty and unpredictable wind conditions are often encountered then. However, sometimes the weather does cooperate - in those cases tethered balloon rides will be available.
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