Hot-air Balloons

A balloon is fueled by flames (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hot-air balloons are usually made out of nylon. Other fabrics sometimes used include polyester and dacron. These materials are lightweight, strong, and able to contain hot air or gases that are lighter than air. Hot-air balloons are fired using a burner capable of generating 20,000,000 BTUs per hour to heat the air inside the balloon, causing it to rise. In addition to carrying passengers, balloons are sometimes used for scientific purposes such as gathering meteorological readings.

A typical balloon takes about 15 to 20 minutes to be inflated. Once in the air, the flight is very quiet and smooth. The occasional firing of the burner for the purpose of ascending, controlling descent, or maintaining altitude is usually the only noise that can be heard. By changing altitude, the pilot can use varying wind currents for the purpose of steering the balloon. Most passenger balloons fly at speeds from 4 to 8 miles per hour at altitudes up to 4,000 feet.

In 1783, French physicist Jean Francois Pilatre made the first manned balloon flight. During the Franco-German War of 1870 and World War I, balloons were used for military observation. The Gorden Bennett Balloon Trophy Races, held between the years of 1906 and 1936, promoted ballooning as recreational sport.

Since Swiss physicist Auguste Piccard reached an altitude of 51,793 feet, hot-air balloonists have attempted to set records for distance, altitude and duration. The first transatlantic flight was made in 1978. Joseph Kittenger made the first solo transatlantic crossing in 1984. In March of 1999, Swiss psychiatrist Bertrand Piccard and British balloon-flying instructor Brian Jones took 19 days to complete the first trip around the world.