How Hot Air Balloons Work

If you're thinking of taking a hot air balloon ride for the first time, it's helpful to understand exactly how hot air balloons work. Also see the menu item for extra information.

Hot air balloons of today heat up air by burning propane fuel. Propane is a common fuel used in outdoor grills. The propane is compressed and stored in liquid form by light cylinders located in the balloon basket. There is a hose that runs down to the bottom of the cylinders so the liquid can be extracted.

The propane travels through the hose and to what is called the heating coil. This coil is made from steel tubing coiled around the burner. When the burner is lit, the liquid propane flows out and is ignited. The fire heats the metal and propane, changing it to a gas which emits a strong flame and uses fuel more efficiently.

When the hot air balloon pilot fires the burner, the balloon rises. The balloon itself is crafted from a sturdy fireproof material so that the fire used to power the balloon doesn't ignite the balloon itself.

Most passenger compartments are made from wicker. Wicker is a lightweight, durable and flexible material that patio furniture is often crafted from. Upon landing, wicker does a good job in absorbing some of the impact so the passengers don't feel a jolt.

Even though hot air balloons are designed in a simple way, it takes expertise to pilot one. The pilot is able to go higher and faster by using a large flame as compared to a smaller one. Some hot air balloons have more than one propane valve so that the pilot can choose to burn fuel as a gas or a liquid.

There is a cord that the pilot uses to open the parachute valve. When this cord is pulled, hot air escapes, which causes the balloon to slow down. The balloon will float to earth if this valve is kept open long enough.

Hot air balloons are run by vertical controls. To move horizontally, pilots utilize different vertical positions and wind direction to work in their favor. Wind blows different ways at different altitudes, and pilots understand this. Even though it is possible to guide a hot air balloon horizontally, a pilot still doesn't have total control. This is why there's often a crew on the ground who follow the balloon and meet it when it does to collect equipment and balloon passengers.

A smart hot air balloon pilot makes sure the weather is favorable before going up. Bad weather is very dangerous for a hot air balloon. Rain can damage the balloon, and lightning can destroy it. Therefore, hot air balloons should only be flown when the weather has been checked and is ideal.

If you're looking for a fun way to travel the sky on a nice day, try a hot air balloon ride with an experienced and knowledgeable pilot. It's sure to be an experience you'll never forget!

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Hot Air Balloon News:

Country Diary: Anglers come together - Telegraph.co.uk

Country Diary: Anglers come together
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - 2 hours ago
. seen its workforce double to 20 and where once it produced hot-air balloon baskets, now produces between 15 and 25 environmentally friendly coffins a week.

Balloons dot the sky above Littleton - 9NEWS.com

Balloons dot the sky above Littleton
9NEWS.com, CO - 5 hours ago
The 9th annual Rocky Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival is taking flight all weekend long at Chatfield Reservoir. Festivities continue throughout the day .

Southeastern Minnesota digest - Post-Bulletin

Southeastern Minnesota digest
Post-Bulletin, MN - 15 hours ago
. and should be dropped off at the city hall. The designs will be judged for completeness and creativity and the winner will receive a hot air balloon ride.

Pricking the Angioplasty Balloon
About a third of heart-attack patients don't get angioplasty to reopen their blocked coronary artery for days or weeks, let alone within the recommended 90 minutes. Their heart-attack symptoms may EUR¦..

Shoppin for fish - Gulf Coast Newspapers

Shoppin for fish
Gulf Coast Newspapers, AL - 4 hours ago
20 Sprint car, Bass Pro Shops hot air balloon and the King of Bucks traveling whitetail deer mount exhibit featuring 25 world record mounts will also be .

Azour says summer war caused budget deficit to balloon
Lebanese government revenues shrunk during the eight-week Israeli war and blockade on Lebanon and this caused the budget deficit to jump to 40.54 percent of total spending in 2006, compared EUR¦..

LEAD BALLOON
IT'S getting harder and harder to tell where Jack Dee ends and Rick Spleen begins and two real tragedies confront our curmudgeonly comic tonight EUR¦..