Ballooning FAQ
What are balloons made of? The balloon bag (envelope) is made of reinforced nylon fabric. It is very light (1.3 to 2.4 ounces per sq. yard), but very strong (25 to 100 lbs. per sq. inch). Some envelopes are treated with a polyurethane coating to make them more airtight and to help the fabric withstand the ultraviolet rays of the sun. The basket (gondola) is made of woven wicker, which is both strong and flexible, and it is connected to the envelope by stainless steel suspension cables.
How do balloons fly? Hot air rises. The envelope traps a large bubble of hot air. If the air in the envelope is heated by a burner, the balloon will rise. If the air in the envelope is allowed to cool or if the hot air is vented from the top of the envelope, the balloon will descend. An altimeter (to measure altitude), a rate-of-climb meter, and an envelope temperature gauge are the only instruments used in the balloon.
What is the difference between a gas balloon and a hot air balloon? A gas balloon is completely enclosed and is filled with helium or hydrogen. A hot air balloon gets its lift from heating the air within it.
How big are balloons? The most popular balloon is approximately 55 feet wide (diameter) and 70 feet high. This is about the same as a 7-story building. The balloon has 1,750 sq. yards of nylon fabric in its envelope (or one-fifth of an acre in surface area), more than 3 miles of thread, and almost one-half mile of nylon webbing used for reinforcing. Its 77,500 cubic feet air capacity displaces almost 3 tons of air. These sport balloons can carry 3 to 4 people.
How are balloons inflated? The balloon envelope is spread on the ground and the gondola laid on it’s side and attached to the envelope cables. A portable gasoline-powered fan pushes cold air into the envelope. When the envelope is about half inflated with outside air, a propane burner is ignited until the air inside is heated enough for the balloon to rise to an upright position. With a small amount of additional heat, the balloon becomes buoyant. Typically, the inflation takes about 15 minutes.
How many people does it take to fly a balloon? To launch and fly a balloon safely requires a minimum of two people plus a pilot. Duties of the crew typically include preparing for the launch, following the balloon flight in the chase vehicle, obtaining permission of the landowner for the balloon landing and retrieval, keeping spectators out to the landing area, and ensuring that gates are left as they are found and that property is not damaged.
How much do balloon systems weigh? A typical balloon system- envelope, gondola, and fuel tanks with 30-40 gallons of fuel, will weigh about 500 pounds, deflated on the ground. In the air, the complete system including the air inside the envelope will weigh about 2 ½ tons.
What kind of fuel do balloons use? Common liquid propane gas is used to heat hot air balloons. Some balloons carry 40 gallons of propane in two 20-gallon stainless steel tanks; others carry three 10-gallon tanks. Propane is a stable and predictable fuel, but highly volatile. It is carried in liquid form, under pressure in the tanks, and supplied to the burners through flexible hoses. The burner flame may shoot out 6 to 8 feet in a blast, which the pilot controls. A typical flight lasting 1 ½ hour, with 3 people aloft, will consume about 22 gallons of propane. Some balloons have two independent burner fuel systems for added safety.
How high do balloons go? Flight in hot air balloons has been recorded at over 50,000 feet. However, the sport of ballooning is most enjoyable when flying at 200 to 500 feet – just above treetops. When balloons fly over populated areas, they maintain an altitude of at least 1,000 feet.
Do balloonists carry parachutes? Not usually. If the burner goes out and cannot be re-ignited, the balloon itself acts as a parachute and descends at parachute speed of about 17 feet per second.
How long can balloons stay up? Most balloons can fly for about 1-2 hours depending on the outside temperature and the weight carried. On a cold day with only one person flying, a 3-4 hour flight would be possible.
How do pilots steer the balloons? Generally speaking, they don’t. A balloon drifts in the same direction and at the same speed as the wind. The skill is for the pilot to pick the altitude that has the most desired wind direction. Surface winds and currents sometime blow in a very different direction from the winds aloft. Altitude control is achieved with the on-board burner. Longer ‘burns’ will achieve lift. Shorter ‘burns’ or none at all, will allow the air to cool, and the balloon to descend.
Where do balloons land? Since a balloon travels with the wind, it is not possible to determine an exact landing site prior to launch. However, a pilot is able, through the study of wind currents, to determine the general direction of the flight.
Can a pilot land the balloon in water? Yes. The fuel tanks are buoyant and will keep the balloon afloat. As long as the balloon is kept inflated, the pilot can take off again. A favorite trick of some balloonists is to perform a ‘splash and dash’.
How do you get home? After the balloon is launched, the crew follows in the chase vehicle. Using maps of the area and, in some instances, CB, FM or aircraft radios as well as visual contact, the crew tries to be close when the balloon lands. The crew helps the pilot deflate, disassemble and pack the balloon and return passengers and equipment home.
When is the best time to fly? Hot air ballooning is a year-round sport. Weather conditions for ballooning are just after sunrise and 2-3 hours before sunset. Light, ideal winds (2-8mph) often occur during these times. During the day, when the sun is high, thermals (large bubbles of hot air that rise from the sun-heated earth) make ballooning hazardous because they are unpredictable.
How much does a balloon cost? The average balloon costs from $20,000-$40,000. This price includes the envelope, gondola, fuel tanks and instruments, but does not include any ground support equipment.
Can anyone pilot a balloon? Balloon pilots must have an aircraft pilot’s license especially for balloons. This license is issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and is earned after taking hours of instruction with a balloon pilot instructor, passing an FAA written test, making a solo flight, and passing a flight test with an FAA examiner.
How can I become involved in Hot Air Ballooning? There are many different ways you can be involved in this sport. You can volunteer to be a crewmember on a balloon competition team, for a ride operator, or for a balloonist who flies just for fun. You can learn to be an official scorer for events like Blossom Time or you could even take lessons to be a hot air balloon pilot yourself. If you prefer to remain a spectator or if you like to take photographs, there are many balloon events that take place both here in Ohio as well as across the country throughout the year. Please click on link below to get more information about ballooning, or to receive information on other ballooning events in the Northeast Ohio area. We will forward your name to a local pilot who can give you more information and can help you get started.
Contact: info@chagrinballoonfest.com
