Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 2: Basic Basics
• Part 2 of 2: Controlling the Balloon
• Tips
• Warnings

There are hot air ballooning enthusiasts all over the world, and they can offer hot air balloon travel for both money and volunteer assistance to their ground crew. If you have already tasted the delights of such flights and now want to independently pull the lines and light the burner while traveling solo, then first you need to take a course of training and certification. Getting to know how the balloon works will give you an edge and help you decide if this hobby is right for you.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Basic Basics

1. 1 We figure out why the ball flies. The principle of operation of balloons is very simple. As you heat air or any other gas, it becomes less dense.Just like an air bubble rising in an aquarium, hot air will rise above the denser, colder air that surrounds it. It is necessary to warm up the air in the ball to the desired temperature, and he himself will be able to lift up both the dome and the basket along with all its contents.
   • As it rises upward, the air becomes less dense, since in the upper layers the pressure from its weight decreases. For this reason, the hot air balloon rises only to the point where the density of the balloon and the air in it becomes equal to the density of the surrounding air.
2. 2 We study the construction of the ball. Its structure is so simple that you can already easily navigate in it, then learning the necessary terminology will help you and your team communicate with each other:
   • The fabric ball itself is called an "envelope", and the panels from which it is sewn are called wedges.
   • Most balloons have a hole at the top of the envelope that is tightly closed by a fabric flap. It's called the "parachute valve". The valve, in turn, is attached to a "bursting line" that is lowered to the basket.
   • The bottom end of the envelope, or "mouth", is located above the "burner", which produces flame from the "propane cylinders" located below it.
   • Propane cylinders, passengers and cargo are placed in a “basket” attached to the bottom of the envelope.
3. 3 We put on protective clothing. The pilot must wear safety goggles as he will be near the flames. Also, the pilot and crew must wear durable gloves, long sleeves and long pants made of fabric that does not contain nylon, polyester or other flammable materials.
   • Everyone who is in the basket should keep in mind that the balloon can land in mud or hard-to-reach areas, and therefore wear clothes and shoes as comfortable as possible.
4. 4 In order to climb higher, you need to release more propane. To increase the propane supply to the fire, you need to open more the explosive valve on the hose attached to the gas cylinder, which is usually located directly under the burner. The more you open the valve, the more hot air will rush into the ball and the faster it will rise. ...
   • Dumping ballast or any heavy object placed on the sides of the balloon will reduce its overall density and also cause it to rise upward. For obvious reasons, this technique is not recommended when flying over populated areas.
5. 5 Learning how to stay at a stable altitude. Like any object warmer than its surroundings, the balloon cools over a long time, which causes it to gradually decline. To stay at the same height, you must use one of the following tricks:
   • The propane tank itself has a metering valve or "cruise" that controls the amount of gas supplied to the burner. Its gradual opening during flight is the easiest way to move at the same height.
   • A momentary flash of additional propane from the explosive valve can lift the balloon if it starts to descend too low.
6. 6 To lower, open the parachute valve. Remember the parachute flap is the flap at the top of the envelope. In its normal state, it is hermetically sealed and, in order to open it, you need to pull on a red line, which is called a break line. This allows hot air to escape through the top. Keep the line taut until the ball is down to the desired mark. Then release it and the flap closes again.
   • The parachute valve is also called the release port (deflation port) and the burst line also opens it.
7. 7 We control the direction of descent or ascent. It is impossible to directly influence the direction of movement of the balloons. There are several air currents that are layered one on top of the other. Raise or lower the ball, catching different cross-currents of air, and it will change direction.Pilots are often forced to change their route to accommodate the desired air flow.
   • Many balloons have slings that fit over the side flaps or envelope flaps, but they only rotate the basket.
   • Almost every hot air balloon flight is accompanied by a car or truck, into which the balloon and its passengers are loaded immediately after landing.

Part 2 of 2: Controlling the Balloon

1. 1 Before you take on the role of the primary pilot, take a course. The instructions below will help you familiarize yourself with the responsibilities and skills that a hot air balloon pilot should have, but they are not a substitute for real flying experience. A full training course and a flight license will cost thousands of dollars, but you can start as a simple volunteer with a ground crew. Once you complete the ground training course, you only need 10-15 hours of general flight training and you will be able to pass the proficiency test, although these requirements differ from country to country.
2. 2 Check the strength of the wind. Knowing when a flight should be canceled is a very important factor in pilot training. Flying in strong winds is extremely dangerous and prohibited. Beginners should follow a simple rule: fly either in the first hours after sunrise, or a few hours before sunset, when the wind direction is more predictable and its speed is slow.
3. 3 Check for life support items. The basket should contain at least: a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, a topographic map, an aviation map, an altimeter (a device for measuring altitude) and a logbook in which the pilot records all the details of the flight. Check the propane sensor in the cylinders. You need to make sure they have enough fuel to fly - they typically run around 30 gallons (114 liters) per hour. For long flights, you will also need a radio and possibly electronic navigation equipment.
4. 4 Fill the balloon to take off. Almost all balloons require the help of several people to get off the ground. First, the burner must be secured to the basket frame and positioned to the side of the envelope that is on the ground. Raise and straighten the mouth of the envelope, and for ten minutes, using a powerful pump, pump air, which is then heated by the burner. Usually, while the balloon is preparing for flight, the basket on the ground is held by people or tied to a car. When the passengers and the pilot are seated in the basket, the pilot releases a powerful jet of flame from the burner and the ball is lifted off the ground.
5. 5 During the start, you need to be extremely careful. The pilot has to be very focused and watch how the envelope is inflated and the ground crew is in control of all lines. Constantly look around in all directions to spot trees or other objects in time that the balloon may stumble upon during takeoff. As soon as you feel the first gust of wind during the ascent, immediately fix your gaze on the obstacle, which is located on the take-off course and do not take off from it until the ball overcomes the obstacle. This helps to quickly detect and react to course deviations, accelerating takeoff.
6. 6 Study all weather events in the flight area. To obtain a flying certificate, prospective balloon pilots must pass a meteorological test to understand how temperature, altitude and humidity interact and affect each other, and what different types of clouds can tell you about the state of the air. Of course, it will not work to list everything in this manual, but a couple of examples can be given:
   • Significant changes in wind direction as you climb or descend are called gusts and require special attention as they can speed up or slow you down. If a strong gust of wind extinguishes the flame of your burner, light it again and, to avoid falling, heat the ball as quickly as possible.
   • If the balloon reacts slowly to your actions, or you notice that the air, instead of rushing you up, is wasted, then you are in "inversion" - a state in which the higher you go, the warmer the air around you becomes. ... It is possible to compensate for inversion by increasing the amount of heated air or, on the contrary, by decreasing it, depending on the direction of movement.
7. 7 Check the direction and speed of the wind, learn to read a weather chart, using this data to get an overall picture of the speed and direction of air currents. To check local conditions, spit or splash some shaving cream on the rim of the basket.
8. 8 Learn to navigate. In order to plot course and flight altitude, balloon pilots are trained in the use of a topographic map and altimeter. Obtain an aviation map from your regional aviation authority and use it to get around the routes of airliners. A GPS module, a magnetic compass and a pair of binoculars will also come in handy, but for short flights they are not needed unless required by local hot air ballooning regulations.
9. 9 Avoid turbulence and thermal zones. If you experience turbulence or storm, cloudiness and other weather conditions indicate that it is about to appear, land immediately. Whenever you feel any circular motion or sudden rise, also land immediately before the rising "thermal" current of warm air makes your balloon uncontrollable. As soon as you reach the ground, immediately bleed the air, otherwise the basket will be dragged along its surface.
10. 10 Be prepared for emergencies. Practice lighting the burner while flying. This can be very useful in case of an emergency. If the flame does not ignite again, there may be a problem with the fuel supply. In this case, it is necessary to light the fire above the explosive valve, but this should only be learned under the supervision of an experienced pilot. In the worst case scenario, if the envelope tissue is torn, try to burn as much propane as possible to keep the ball's sink rate to a minimum.
11. 11 Ball landing. In order to develop the skills of choosing the exact direction of flight, not to mention determining the landing site and how to safely bring the balloon to it, it will take a lot of hard work. There are several correct approach techniques that you must learn to land a balloon in all conditions. Also, a lot depends on the experience of your mentor. Begin by practicing in good weather conditions, on a large area of ​​the ground where there is enough room for the balloon to land. Slowly bleed the air and keep a close eye on the tallest objects in the landing area, even if they are slightly off to the side. Once you have passed the obstacle, you can release the air more intensively, but just make sure that the landing is soft and sliding. As soon as your ball touches the ground, immediately try to bleed off all the air to free the envelope from it. Congratulations! You have mastered the skills of hot air balloon flight.

Tips

• A "gas balloon" is another type of flying balloon that is sometimes referred to as an unmanned balloon. In it, gas cylinders are filled with helium or another gas that is lighter than air, which allows the balloon to be lifted into the sky without heating. These balloons are lifted off the ground as soon as ballast is dropped from them, unless it is a hybrid model using gas and hot air.

Warnings

• Make sure that the owner or owner of the land where you are going to fly has given the go-ahead to use your plot for this purpose. Otherwise, you may be sued for violating the boundaries of private property.