Photo by Raj Eiamworakul
Hot air Balloon is an aircraft with no engine, it contains a large bag called envelope, a heating system and a basket. The mechanism is very simple, heater put hot air in the envelope and because hot air is lighter than cold air, it goes up. The envelope is usually made by nylon or polyester and a fire resistant material close to the burner. Coated materials are sewn together to shape the envelope and there is a small vent on top. Modern balloons use helium as lifting gas and there are also hybrid and solar balloons.
Hot air balloon is the first successful flight made by humans. The first hot air balloon produced by Montgolfier brothers and the flight was made by Rozier and d’Arlandes on 1783 in France.
Things you need to have in the basket are fuel tank, extra fuel tank, some balloons have two heating systems that work separately, fire extinguisher, Variometer, Radio and GPS unit, knife, Goggles, gloves, first aid kit, harness to prevent pilot to eject on bad condition landing, rope (30 m)with quick release connection, ground crew to help on launch and landing, …
In the US, balloons have to be registered, have an airworthiness certificate, and pass annual inspections and the pilots must have a certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Most popular companies to supply hot air balloons are: Cameron Balloons, Lindstrand Balloons, Sundance Balloons, Ultramagic, Kubicek, Raven, Firefly Balloons, LLopis, Head Balloons, Kavanagh, …
Photo by Kyle Hinkson
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