HOW DO HOT AIR BALLOONS WORK?

Hot air balloons work because hot air rises. By heating the air inside the balloon with
the burner, it becomes lighter than the cooler air on the outside. This causes the
balloon to float upwards as if it were in the water. If the air is allowed to cool, the
balloon slowly comes down. Pilots have a great deal of control over the altitude of the
balloon which they monitor with various instruments. They develop incredible
anticipation skills over time and can often control a balloon’s descent within
centimeters.

Steering a Hot Air Balloon

Balloons cannot be steered in the normal sense of the word so they travel in the
direction of the wind, which varies at different altitudes. Pilots skillfully use this as a
way of changing direction by burning to go up, or allowing the air to cool to go down,
and catch different air streams at different heights.

Pilots can use turning vents in the side of the balloon to rotate it 360 degrees so you
have a full panoramic view and to make the broad side of the basket lead for landing.

Landing in a Hot Air Balloon

Hot air balloons don’t land in pre-decided locations as planes or helicopters do. They
can’t be steered in the same way (that’s why it’s always an adventure!). Pilots bring the
balloon to the land, usually after around an hour in the air on a passenger flight, when
they see a safe open space often out in the countryside.

The pilot asks all passengers to crouch down in the seated landing position (knees
bent, back facing in the direction of travel, and holding ropes provided). As the balloon
approaches the ground, the pilot releases the vent at the top of the balloon letting the
hot air escape.
 When the basket touches down, sometimes there is a bump, a skid and the basket can
occasionally tip over slightly. This is quite safe and normal. Balloons have been
landing like this for over two hundred years and modern balloon baskets are designed
for this. After a serene hour or so in the clouds, most people thoroughly enjoy the

What to Wear on a Hot Air Balloon Ride

Avoid Skirts and Dresses
While the sights to be had during a hot air balloon ride are majestic, getting into the basket and landings won't always be. Depending on
the weather and terrain, landings can be rough and baskets can sometimes tip over (don't worry this is common!). These are, however, not
skirt or dress-friendly conditions. You will also need to enter the balloon basket itself, and flexible pants would be much more friendly to
this proposition. Plan on wearing pants ideally to enjoy your ballooning experience to its fullest.

Sunglasses
Since your hot air ballooning experience will be outdoors it's a good idea to bring some sunglasses. OK, this one might be a little
obvious, but easy to overlook. Also consider the time of day your flight will be. If you are planning on a sunset or sunrise flight, bringing
your sunglasses will help you enjoy the sights even more.

Comfy and Practical Shoes

Air balloon baskets as you may have guessed aren't too spacious, and chances are you may be sharing your flight with other passengers.
You will likely be standing most of the time so wearing comfy shoes is a great idea. Plus the whole landing and getting into the basket
thing may be a little easier if you wear the proper footwear. Sandals, high heels, and slip-on shoes are also not the greatest idea. Sneakers
or even boots are the practical choice. Also plan on wearing good socks, preferably ones that will cover your ankles in case your balloon
lands in a grassy field.

Layers
It'll be a good idea to bring some layers for your flight. The aeronaut (fancy word for hot air balloon pilot) will check the forecast to
make sure the conditions are right for your flight, but that doesn't mean that they'll be able to guarantee perfect weather. It won't
necessarily be colder up in the air, but there are other factors as well. If you're up before the sunrise, it'll be colder before the sun and the
reverse is true for sunset. Pay attention to the season and dress appropriately for the weather. Hoodies, sweaters, and lighter jackets are
ideal than larger jackets but if you are in doubt, check with your flight coordinator. Bring something that you can put on, or take off. It
will make your flight a lot more comfortable.

A Hat
A hat will protect your face from the sun and will keep your hair from flying everywhere in the wind. But they also serve another hot air
excitement.

How do you land a hot air balloon?

A hot air balloon has no set landing site, since a balloon flies according to the direction of the wind. An
average hot air balloon flight lasts about an hour, after which the pilot has to find a suitable safe landing
site.

Finding the landing site

The pilot of the hot air balloon is in touch with the ground crew, who follow the balloon in a vehicle.
They help the pilot choose a suitable landing site.

A safe landing site is a wide open space away from power lines. This will usually be a field free from
cows, sheep or other animals. The site needs to be near a road to provide access to the ground crew.

The skill of the pilot and ground crew is knowing the size the landing site needs to be. This can be
affected by the size of the balloon. A smaller balloon is easier to manoeuvre and can land in a smaller
space.

The landing

After a suitable landing site has been found, the pilot operates the vent that lets air out of the balloon
canopy. This cause the balloon to descend. A skilled balloon pilot is able to judge the rate of descent
needed for a smooth landing. As the balloon is descending, the pilot can adjust the descent rate by either
letting out air, or operating the burner to heat the air and slow the descent.

If the descent is over trees, the passengers can find the experience, a little scary as the balloon seems to
rush towards the trees, but the pilot will be in full control of the situation.

The pilot aims for the landing to be as soft as possible. This cannot be guaranteed, especially if the wind
is fairly strong, Sometimes the landing can be a little rough, with the basket bouncing along the ground a
few times before halting. This should not concern the passengers as they will be in no danger from injury.
Some passengers even like rough landing, as it adds to the adventure of the flight.
Pilots pride themselves on their skills of landing balloons. This has led to competitive sports, such as
flying close to trees in order to see how many leaves can be picked, or landing on targets placed on the
fields. Of course, these are done without passengers.

After the landing

Once the balloon is stationary, the ground crew hold the basket down to allow the passengers to
disembark. The pilot opens the valve all the way to let out the rest of the air, making it ready folding and
putting the balloon in the ground crew’s transport.

After the landing, it is time to celebrate, which is traditionally done with a champagne toast. Champagne
was originally used in France to compensate angry farmers who did not like balloons landing in their
fields.

Photographs are taken and commemorative certificates handed out. The balloon pilot and passengers are
then driven back to the launch site or another convenient dropping off point.

Many passengers are so thrilled by the experience, they cannot wait to book another balloon flight.
When there is enough air in the balloon, the crew blasts the burner flame into the envelope mouth. This heats
the air, building pressure until the balloon inflates all the way and starts to lift off the ground.
The ground crew members hold the basket down until the launch crew is on board. The balloon basket is
also attached to the ground crew vehicle until the last minute, so the balloon won't be blown away before it is
ready to launch. When everything is set, the ground crew releases the balloon and the pilot fires a steady
flame from the burner. As the air heats up, the balloon lifts right off the ground.
Amazingly, this entire process only takes 10 or 15 minutes. The landing process, combined with deflating
and re-packing the balloon envelope, takes a while longer.
When the pilot is ready to land, he or she discusses possible landing sites with the ground crew (via an
onboard radio). They need to find a wide-open space, where there are no power lines and plenty of room to
lay out the balloon. As soon as the balloon is in the air, the pilot is constantly looking for suitable landing
sites, in case there is an emergency.
The balloon landing can be a little rough, but an experienced pilot will bump along the ground to stop the
balloon gradually, minimizing the impact. If the ground crew has made it to the landing site, they will hold the
basket down once it has landed. If the balloon isn't in a good position, the crew pulls it along the ground to a
better spot.
The ground crew sets out a ground tarp, to protect the balloon from wear and tear. Then the pilot opens the
parachute valve all the way, so the air can escape out the top of the balloon. The ground crew grabs a cord
attached to the top of the balloon and pulls the envelope over onto the tarp.
Once the balloon envelope is down on the ground, the crew begins pushing the air out. When the balloon is
flattened, the crew packs it into a stuff sack. This whole process is a lot like picking up a giant sleeping bag.