How a Hot Air Balloon Flies
WouterIn its early years, how a hot air balloon flies was a mystery to many people. Though the idea of flight by air is not new, it was not until the mid-19th century that balloonists started making these flights possible. The earliest balloons were primitive and didn’t have the advanced technology or materials that we take for granted today. They used their ingenuity and survival skills to ensure their safety. In 1925, aviation pioneer Ralph Hazlett Upson created a more advanced balloon that could handle high-altitude flights and maintain the altitude for long periods.
Unlike most planes, hot air balloons use wind to guide their movement and maintain an altitude. At high altitudes, the wind changes direction and speeds. This allows the pilots to maneuver horizontally with the wind. The wind speed increases as the balloon climbs. Therefore, when the balloon is flying, the wind speeds increase and it is important to pay attention to the wind.
While this process may sound complex, it is actually easy to understand. The propane burner in a hot air balloon burns gas that is stored in the balloon. This gas is fed into the balloon through a valve located in the balloon’s tank. This metering valve is opened slowly to maintain a constant altitude. When the balloon dips, additional propane is fed in short bursts to lift the balloon.
