| Hot air balloons are an odd flying apparatus. | | | | |
| They don't look like anything else that | | | | - Smaller pieces of the gore are called |
| flies. They aren't used like other flying | | | | "panels". |
| objects to get people from one place to | | | | |
| another. They only are flown at certain times | | | | - In order to fly, Balloon pilots need a |
| and in certain conditions. They don't have a | | | | commercial balloon LTA pilot's license. |
| motor or anything that mechanical with moving | | | | |
| parts. Hot air balloon rides operate solely | | | | - Pilots must have under gone the following: |
| based on the magic and simplicity of science | | | | o Flight instruction of at least 35 hours o |
| and physics. | | | | Ground school attendance for basic aviation |
| | | | training o Passage of a written test for |
| The other thing about the hot air balloon | | | | hot-air balloon knowledge o A flight check |
| experience? Its one of the most unique events | | | | from a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) |
| you'll ever encounter. Even those who have | | | | official. |
| only gone up once still remember their ride, | | | | |
| just like it was yesterday. It just seems to | | | | - If a balloon is in a controlled air space, |
| stands out in your mind. Why? Because theres | | | | it must meet air-traffic control requirements |
| simply nothing quite like it. | | | | and pilots must have radio contact with |
| | | | controllers. (FAA Rules) |
| Here are a few other interesting bits of | | | | |
| information about the always fascinating hot | | | | - Besides having basic knowledge of who they |
| air balloon: | | | | are flying with and their qualifications, |
| | | | there are no official safety requirements for |
| - Hot air balloons were discovered in France | | | | passengers. |
| in 1783. | | | | |
| | | | - Accidents are rare. |
| - At that time, in the laboratory, it was | | | | |
| discovered that a fabric bag filled with hot | | | | - Why do hot air balloons not fly in the |
| air could rise. | | | | rain? because balloon heat can cause water to |
| | | | boil at the top of the balloon, and boiling |
| - In the beginning, to test for safety, | | | | water can destroy the fabric. |
| balloons without passengers were sent up and | | | | |
| observed. | | | | - Depending on balloon size, area balloon |
| | | | operators can carry from two to 10 passengers |
| - The next step was to send animals up to | | | | at a time. |
| experiment with different weights. Sheep, | | | | |
| chickens and even ducks were used. | | | | So, now that you know something interesting |
| | | | about hot air balloons, when are you going to |
| - When everything was proven totally safe, a | | | | go up in one? If there is one bit of advice |
| balloon with two men traveled over Paris for | | | | to give it would be this: dont let a |
| 5.5 miles, staying up 23 minutes. | | | | perceived fear stop you from enjoying the |
| | | | adventure. Even though it may look a little |
| - This was the very first attempt made by man | | | | risky - it really isn't. As was mentioned |
| to fly. | | | | previously, accidents are very rare. It |
| | | | almost never happens. Pilots are well trained |
| - Balloons have been critical to science as | | | | before they ever take anyone up. Plus, you |
| they have helped us study the weather and the | | | | can do your part by ensuring that you use a |
| atmosphere. | | | | hot air balloon company that has a great |
| | | | safety record. There are many reputable ones |
| - On a hot air balloon ride, an apparatus | | | | out there. |
| called a "skirt" helps direct the hot air | | | | |
| into the balloon. | | | | When you do decide to take a ride, you'll not |
| | | | only have a great time, but you'll experience |
| - Every hot air balloon has a long section | | | | a thrill of a lifetime! |
| called the "gore". | | | | |