| Most hot air balloon launches are made | | | | more exact points called "targets". Once |
| during the cooler hours of the day, at | | | | a pilot has directed the balloon as |
| dawn or two to three hours before | | | | close as possible to a target, a |
| sunset. At these times of day, the winds | | | | weighted marker with an identifying |
| are typically light making for easier | | | | number written on it is dropped. The |
| launch and landing of the balloon. | | | | distance between a pilot's marker and |
| Flying at these times also avoids | | | | that target determines his or her score. |
| thermals, which are vertical air | | | | During some competitive flights, pilots |
| currents caused by ground heating, | | | | will be required to fly to 5 or more |
| making control of the balloon more | | | | targets before landing. To assist with |
| difficult. In the extreme, the | | | | navigation, topographic maps and GPS |
| downdrafts associated with strong | | | | units are used. Another common form of |
| thermals can exceed the ability of a | | | | competition is the "Hare and Hound" |
| balloon to climb and can thus force a | | | | race. The Hare balloon takes off a set |
| balloon into the ground. | | | | amount of time before the Hound balloons |
| Sequence | | | | and typically flies with multiple |
| A hot air balloon flight starts with | | | | altitude changes to make it more |
| unpacking the balloon from its carrying | | | | difficult for the chasing balloons to |
| bag. A gasoline-powered fan is used to | | | | match its flight path. After a set |
| blow cold (outside) air into the | | | | amount of flight time, the Hare will |
| envelope. The cold air partially | | | | land and typically lay out a target |
| inflates the balloon to establish its | | | | cross for the Hounds to drop their |
| basic shape before the burner flame is | | | | weighted markers near. As above, the |
| aimed into the mouth heating the air | | | | distance between a pilot's marker and |
| inside. A crew member stationed opposite | | | | the target determines his or her score. |
| the mouth, holds a rope (crown line) | | | | Some experienced pilots are able to take |
| tied to the apex (crown) of the | | | | a flight in one direction then rise to a |
| envelope. The "crown-man" role is two | | | | different altitude to catch wind in a |
| fold, one is to prevent the envelope | | | | returning direction. With experience, |
| from excessive sway and two is to | | | | luck, and the right conditions, some |
| prevent the balloon rising until it is | | | | pilots are able to control a precision |
| sufficiently buoyant. Once the balloon | | | | landing at the destination. On rare |
| is upright, pilot and passengers climb | | | | occasions, they may be able to return to |
| into the basket. When the pilot is ready | | | | the launch site at the end of the |
| for launch, more heat is directed into | | | | flight. This is sometimes called a box |
| the envelope and the balloon lifts off. | | | | effect, usually when flying in valleys |
| During the flight, the pilot's only | | | | with drainage winds. |
| ability to steer the balloon is the | | | | Hazards |
| ability to climb or descend into wind | | | | The dangers of the sport include |
| currents going different directions. | | | | excessive (vertical or horizontal) speed |
| Thus, it is important for the pilot to | | | | during landing, mid-air collisions that |
| determine what direction the wind is | | | | may collapse the balloon, and colliding |
| blowing at altitudes other than the | | | | with high voltage power lines. It is the |
| balloon's altitude. To do this, the | | | | last of these, contact with power lines, |
| pilot uses a variety of techniques. For | | | | that poses the greatest danger. For |
| example, to determine wind directions | | | | instance, roughly 90% of serious |
| beneath the balloon a pilot might simply | | | | ballooning accidents in the US involve |
| spit or release a squirt of shaving | | | | power line strikes. One reason for the |
| cream and watch this indicator as it | | | | high frequency of such incidents is the |
| falls to determine where possible turns | | | | fact that pilots often attempt to land |
| are (and their speed). Pilots are also | | | | their balloons on or near roads in order |
| looking for other visual clues such as | | | | to reduce the amount of off-road driving |
| flags on flagpoles, smoke coming from | | | | necessary to recover the balloon. |
| chimneys, etc. To determine wind | | | | However, in most rural areas where |
| directions above the balloon, the pilot | | | | balloons fly, roads usually have power |
| will obtain a weather forecast prior to | | | | lines running along them. |
| the flight which includes upper level | | | | The recent advent of vertically |
| wind forecasts. The pilot will also send | | | | aerodynamic sport balloons which can |
| up a helium pilot balloon, known as a | | | | climb and descend at twice the rate of a |
| met-balloon in the UK and pibal in the | | | | conventional balloon (1500 ft/min as |
| USA, prior to launch to get information | | | | opposed to 700 ft/min) has significantly |
| about what the wind is actually doing. | | | | increased the danger posed by collision |
| Another way to determine actual wind | | | | or accidental ground impact during |
| directions is to watch other hot air | | | | competition. Many pilots have also |
| balloons, which are the equivalent of a | | | | reported strange aerodynamic performance |
| large met-balloon. | | | | during very aggressive climbs, such as |
| The crew then pack up inflation | | | | greatly reduced air resistance at |
| equipment and follow the balloon with | | | | vertical speeds over +1500 ft/min, |
| the retrieve vehicle. | | | | resulting in a sudden, unexpected |
| Once the balloon has landed, the | | | | acceleration. At present there is little |
| envelope is deflated and detached from | | | | research into high vertical-speed |
| the basket. The envelope is then packed | | | | balloon flight to understand this |
| into its carrying bag. The burner and | | | | phenomenon. |
| the basket are separated and all | | | | The FAA requires balloons to fly under |
| components are packed into the retrieve | | | | visual flight rules. If equipped with |
| vehicle. | | | | lights that make it visible to other |
| Control | | | | aircraft, balloons can fly in the dark. |
| The top of a hot air balloon generally | | | | However, such flights are usually |
| has a flap of fabric (often referred to | | | | limited to either "dawn patrol" flights |
| as a parachute) that can be pulled | | | | that begin before sunrise with landings |
| partially open (via a long line | | | | made after there is sufficient light to |
| connecting the parachute device to the | | | | see any obstacles or to race/record |
| gondola or basket) to allow the balloon | | | | flights that typically go throughout the |
| pilot to release hot air in an emergency | | | | night and the landing again made during |
| or for better control of descent. The | | | | daylight hours. |
| flap is pulled completely open to | | | | Tethered balloons are sometimes inflated |
| collapse the balloon after landing. | | | | at night, an event called a "night glow" |
| In competition, the pilots need to be | | | | for the impressive visual effects. At |
| able to read different wind directions | | | | such events, pilots will usually operate |
| at different altitudes. Balloon | | | | the liquid valve known as the whisper |
| competitions are often called "races" | | | | burner (or sometimes called the cow |
| but they're most often a test of | | | | burner) on the burner creating a |
| accuracy, not speed. For most | | | | spectacular bright orange flame instead |
| competitive balloon flights, the goal is | | | | of the main valve which creates the more |
| to fly as close as possible to one or | | | | typical (and efficient) blue flame. |