Hot air balloon

Hot air balloons are the oldest successful human flight technology, dating back to the Montgolfier brothers' invention in Annonay, France in 1783. The first manned flight was made on November 21, 1783, in Paris by Pilâtre de Rozier and the Marquis d'Arlandes. Balloons that can be propelled through the air rather than just being carried along by the wind are known as airships.

Flight techniques

A typical hot air balloon flight starts with unpacking the balloon from its carrying bag. A gasoline powered fan is used to blow cold (outside) air into the envelope. The cold air partially inflates the balloon to establish its basic shape before the burner flame is aimed into the throat heating the air inside (see photo). A crew member stationed opposite the throat, holds a rope tied to the apex (crown) of the envelope. The "crown-man" acts as a dead weight in order to slow the envelope's rise so that the envelope can achieve maximum inflation (volume) before standing erect. Once the balloon is upright, pilot and passengers climb into the basket. When the pilot is ready for launch, more heat is directed into the envelope and the balloon lifts off gradually.

Related Topics:
Gasoline - Fan

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Post-launch duties of the ground crew involve packing up inflation equipment and following the balloon with the retrieval transport (also known as a "chase vehicle").

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Once the balloon has landed, the envelope is deflated and detached from the basket. The envelope is then packed into its carrying bag. The burner and the basket are separated and all components are packed into the chase vehicle.

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In competition, the pilots need to be able to read different wind directions at different altitudes. Some experienced pilots are able to take a flight in one direction, rise to a different altitude to catch wind in a returning direction. With experience, luck, and the right conditions, some pilots are able to control a precision landing at the destination. On rare occasions, they may be able to return to the launch site at the end of the flight.

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The dangers of the sport include excessive (vertical or horizontal) speed during landing, entangling high voltage power lines and mid-air collisions that may collapse the balloon.

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In the United States, hot air balloon pilots must have an FAA license. In the United Kingdom a Private Pilots Licence issued by the CAA.

Related Topics:
United States - FAA - United Kingdom - CAA

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