How do hot air balloon fly?
Hot air balloons are based on the very basic scientific principle that warmer air rises in cooler air (A gas balloon gets its lift from lighter than air gases, usually helium or hydrogen.) A burner fuelled by propane gas is positioned under an open balloon envelope to heat the air and make the balloon rise. When the parachute valve at the top of the envelope is opened some of the hot air escapes, and the balloon sinks. The hot air wont escape from the hole at the bottom of the envelope because buoyancy keeps it moving up. The envelope fabric is much tougher than it might appear. The balloon rides with the wind, and to move in a particular direction, the pilot ascends and descends to find the appropriate wind direction. Are hot air balloons safe? Ballooning is safe, but it is a sport and may require some physical demands on the participant. Balloon pilots need a commercial pilot’s licence (fixed-wing) to fly. They must have at least 35 hours of flight instruction, attend ground school f
