Hot air ballooning has become a popular form of
recreation today with more than 3,000 balloon companies
throughout the United States.
Hot air balloon festivals, like the
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, are now frequented
by both passengers and spectators alike. There is no greater
thrill than watching an assortment of balloons lift off into
the sky in an array of color and patterns – unless it is
sitting inside the basket of one of these great globes as it
ascends high above the ground. You can purchase a balloon
ride for yourself or someone special as a birthday or
anniversary gift, but many still worry about hot air balloon
accidents and whether this mode of travel is really safe.
Read on for the facts about balloon safety and tips for a
problem-free flight.
How a Hot Air Balloon Flies
Hot air balloons are powered by the premise that hot air
rises. When the air inside the balloon envelope is heated
through the balloon's burner, the craft lifts up, and when
the air is cooled by turning off the burner, the balloon
descends. The pilot can control the craft in this manner to
adjust the altitude and perform the ascent and landing. Once
the balloon is in the air, it is at the mercy of the wind.
There is no way to steer one of these crafts, except to
adjust the altitude to catch the different wind currents.
This means that balloons are safely flown when there is
little or no air movement. Since air is generally calmest at
sunrise and sunset, these are the most common times for
balloons to fly.
How to Make a Hot
Air Balloon
Since these large crafts are highly vulnerable to weather
conditions, the first step in preventing a hot air balloon
crash is to avoid flying when the weather is less than
perfect. An experienced pilot can read the more subtle
changes in the atmosphere to determine whether conditions
are right for flight. Even if it looks like a warm, sunny
day to you, your pilot may cancel a ride if he feels that
there are risk factors lurking. Once you are airborne, your
itinerary will be determined by which way the breeze is
blowing and how fast the speed of the air is. This means
that if you are flying in 6-mile-per-hour winds, your
balloon will travel approximately 6 miles during an hour
trip.
Checking for Proper Certification
Another way to prevent a hot air balloon accident is to make
sure that both the pilot and the balloon itself are properly
certified. All balloon operators should have an FAA
commercial pilot's license with a Lighter-than-Air rating. A
pilot is required to have his license in his possession
while he is piloting his craft, just like a driver of a car
must have his driver's license with him at all times. The
balloon should also have an FAA certificate of registration
and an operations manual onboard. Finally, all flights
should include a pre-flight and post flight briefing for all
passengers. It is important to listen closely and follow all
instructions precisely, so that your flight is as safe as
possible.
Nearly any sport poses some degree of risk, and hot air
ballooning is no exception. However, by hiring an
experienced pilot, flying only during optimum weather
conditions and following flight instructions closely, hot
air balloon accidents are hardly a concern. Enjoy your
travels in the sky.
Hot Air Balloon
Accidents
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