The Balloon

1. What are the main parts of a balloon?

There are three main parts of a balloon; the ENVELOPE, made from lightweight rip-stop nylon fabric; the BASKET, made of wicker, which carries the Pilot, passengers and liquid propane fuel tanks; and the BURNER, which turns the liquid propane into gas which burns to heat the air in the envelope.

2. How do balloons fly?

Balloons employ the natural law that hot air rises (think of smoke going up a chimney). The Pilot uses a propane gas burner to heat the air inside the envelope. When the air inside is hotter than the air outside the envelope, the balloon will rise.  The pilot keeps the balloon aloft by adding heat, and allows it to cool down when he wishes to descend.

3. How long does it take to inflate and deflate the balloon?

An experienced crew can inflate a balloon in 15 to 20 minutes, and it takes about the same time to deflate and pack-up after flight.

4. Can you steer a balloon?

Not really, as balloons can only fly where the winds takes them. However the Pilot can often find winds blowing in different directions at different heights. By changing height he can use these winds to achieve some changes in direction.