THE FIRST HOT AIR BALOON

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A hot air balloon is kind of aircraft. It has three main parts. The envelope is the largest part. It is the colorful part that looks like a large balloon. The envelope is also called a bag. Huge pieces of strong fabric are sewn together like a bag.

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FUN FACTS

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The first hot air balloon was launched in the centre of Paris.

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the burner system is under the bag. The burner burns fuel to heat the air in the bag. The basket carries the pilot and passengers. Some baskets can carry about 20 people. Most baskets are made of Wiker fiber. Wiker fiber is made from plants.

Calm winds are needed to launch a hot air balloon. Chase crew workers unpack the bag on flat ground. they check for tears in the fabric. They make sure the bag is correctly attached to the basket. The pilot plans where to land the balloon. The landing site may be at a field or park.

The bag is ready to inflate. The chase crew holds the bottom of the bag open. Fans blow air into the bag. The pilot uses the burner to heat the air. The hot air causes the bag to stand up. Passengers climb into the basket. The filled bag lifts the bag off the ground.

Flash! The burner sends a blast of heat into the bag. Cool air in the bag will not keep the balloon up.

The chase crew follows the balloon to the landing site. The pilot and the crew use radios and telephones to talk with each other.

How can a pilots slow down a rising balloon? He lets hot air out of an opening near the top. The opening is called a vent.

Hot air balloons drift where the wind blows. They float like dandelion seeds on a breezy day.

A altimeter tells the pilot how high the balloon is. The pilot can go higher if he wants to go faster.

A truck follows the balloon as it flies. The pilot radios the crew in the truck. He tells them where the balloon is going. The balloon is now heavier then the air. It drop closer and closer to the ground. Bump! It lands in a field. The basket tilts to one side. the passenger climbs out.

FUN FACTS

Pilots can move up or down to catch winds that are blowing in a certain direction.