| There's nothing quite like flying in a | | | | What's it like to fly a balloon? A pilot can |
| hot-air balloon. Here are a few common | | | | only move a hot air balloons up and down. In |
| questions about them-and their answers. | | | | order to move left or right, a pilot can |
| | | | raise or lower the balloon to catch a wind |
| How do they work? Hot air rises. A burner | | | | current that's going in the right direction. |
| heats the air within the balloon. As the air | | | | A good balloonist knows the prevailing wind |
| heats up, it becomes warmer than the air | | | | directions in his area and can find the right |
| around it. This causes it to rise, taking | | | | level for each direction he wants to go in. |
| the basket and its contents along with it. | | | | |
| | | | What's it like to ride in a balloon? Riding |
| What is the balloon made of? Most of the | | | | in a balloon is surprisingly peaceful. |
| "envelope" on many hot-air balloons is made | | | | Balloons can only go as fast as the winds |
| from nylon. Nylon is airtight, lightweight | | | | around them, which isn't too fast-generally |
| and strong, and most importantly, it | | | | around 8 to 16 kph. Because there are no |
| withstands heat well without melting. | | | | motors or propellers, the ride is quiet and |
| | | | tranquil. |
| Why is the basket always made of wicker? | | | | |
| Wicker is lightweight, strong, and flexible. | | | | No matter the occasion, there's nothing quite |
| When a balloon lands after a flight, it can | | | | like drifting above the earth, seeing things |
| sometimes hit the ground with a bit of a | | | | from a new perspective as you ride the winds. |
| bump. The flexible wicker absorbs most of | | | | A hot-air balloon ride is a wonderful event |
| the shock of the landing. | | | | for all occasions. |
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