| Hot air ballooning is our first form of manned flight. | | | | to escape, reducing the temperature of the air within |
| How does it work? What allows a hot air balloon to | | | | the balloon. This cooler air is lighter than the balloon |
| keep flying? | | | | weight and hence the balloon descends. The descent |
| There are some basics principles in play here, namely, | | | | can be controlled or reversed by releasing more |
| that hot air rises and cold air descends. So the hot air | | | | propane gas and firing the burner. |
| that is released in to the balloon pushes it skywards | | | | 3. Directional movement |
| and ensures it stays afloat. | | | | There are limitations in the direction a pilot can take a |
| There are three component parts to a hot air | | | | balloon as this is determined by the wind. However, |
| balloon, the envelope (which is the fabric which holds | | | | the wind blows in different directions at different |
| the air); the basket (which is where the pilot and | | | | heights so a degree of maneuverability is possible. So |
| passengers will stand); and the burner (which propels | | | | to move horizontally, the pilot will go up or down to |
| the heat up in to the balloon). The pilot has the ability | | | | find a layer of air where the wind is blowing in the |
| to ascend, descend and move in a certain direction. | | | | desired direction. |
| 1. Ascending | | | | 4. Landing |
| To ascend, the pilot releases propane gas in to the | | | | Where the balloon lands is very dependent on the |
| envelope, and this fires the burner, sending a flame in | | | | wind, but in the right conditions, an experienced pilot |
| to the envelope. The more gas that is released, the | | | | can have considerable maneuverability. He will be in |
| greater the flame and the faster the balloon rises. | | | | regular radio contact with his ground crew and they |
| 2. Descending | | | | will agree a landing site during the course of the flight. |
| To descend, the pilot has to allow the air in the | | | | After landing, the "chase" crew will pack away the |
| envelope to cool. He does this by pulling a cord which | | | | balloon and everyone then generally returns to the |
| opens a valve at the top of the balloon. This is called | | | | original launch location. |
| the Parachute Valve and opening it allows the hot air | | | | |