How do balloons fly? Balloons operate through the basic principles of gravity and heat transfer. As air inside the balloon is heated, it rises. As the air inside the balloon cools, it descends. To make the balloon fly, an inflator fan fills it with air, which is then heated.
What are envelopes made of?Rip-stop nylon is the most common material, but polyester and other fabrics are also used. The fabric around the lower opening (called the mouth) of the balloon are usually made from a fire resistant material like Nomex, similar to the suits that firefighters wear.
What is a balloon basket made of?Woven wicker is used because it is lightweight, flexible and easily repaired.
All hot air balloons consist of a burner system, a basket and an envelope. The differences are in the shape and size of the envelope, the deflation system, the basket shape and design and the configuration, design, and number of burners.
Winds determine a balloon's direction. Pilot can steer a balloon, to a limited extent, by adjusting the balloon's altitude to make use of different wind speeds and directions.
What fuel do balloons use?Our hot air balloons carry 60 to 110 gallons (120 to 200kg) of propane in stainless steel fuel tanks. We expect to use roughly 75% of the fuel during a single flight.
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