A hot air balloon gets its lift from heating the air with propane fuel. A gas balloon gets its lift from lighter than air gases, usually helium or hydrogen.

The main components of a hot air balloon are the envelope (balloon), fuel system, and gondola (basket). The envelope is constructed of polyester, which is lightweight, yet strong and heat resistant, withstanding temperatures of up to 300 degrees. The envelope is open at the bottom, in order to receive the heating flame; it has a deflation port, a large opening at the top, that allows the hot air to escape during landing.

Balloons operate through the basic principles of gravity and heat transfer. As air inside the balloon is heated, it rises, and as the air inside the balloon cools, it descends.

All it takes is some time, a willingness to learn and some money! The best way to get hands on information about a balloon and what it's like to fly is to crew for a pilot for some period of time. You learn about the balloon system, what it takes to fly and some of the rules and regulations required to get a license. All of these involve a written test of regulations and safety and a 'check ride', similar to a drivers test, by an FAA authorized instructor or examiner.

Warm air rises. By heating the air inside a balloon, lift is generated. There are many sizes and shapes of hot-air balloons, but most have the same three parts: The burner (or burners) are fueled with propane from a tank (or tanks) mounted inside the basket. The pilot turns the burner on to heat the air inside the envelope. The heated air generates lift. As the air cools, the balloon stops ascending and descends as it loses lift.

All our hot air balloon baskets have foot-holes to help you climb in and out, but if you feel you may need a little more assistance, our crew members will happily to help. Our hot air balloon baskets are divided into compartments for your safety, and there will usually be three or four passengers in any one compartment.

The colourful envelope is usually made of nylon or polyester, the same type of cloth that parachutes are made of. It is very tightly woven and is coated with a material that makes it very air tight. It is very light (1.3 ounces per square yard) but very strong (25 lbs per square inch). The nylon is only used to keep the hot air in the balloon. The basket load is transferred by steel or Kevlar cables to a series of vertical load tapes which carry the load.

It's easy to join a crew and begin a long and lasting friendship with many people in a very unique sport. Simply walk up to any balloon team you see and ask the pilot if they need any additional help now or i the future. They will keep you on a crew roster and call you whenever flights are planned. Many pilots give their crew balloon rides after they assist with a few flights and help out regularly. For more information check out our Crew Bulletin link.

Various Hot Air Balloon rally's are held around the US and even here in Rochester, MN. The Rochester rally is typically a part of Rochesterfest a citywide celebration held during the last part of June each year. Between 20-30 balloons compete in various events during that weekend. Around the US you can find balloon Nationals held in Michigan and Iowa each year. There is also the large Albuquerque festival each October. You can sometimes see up to 700 balloons at some of these events!

How does a balloon work? Hot air balloons fly because the air inside of the envelope is hotter than the outside air. By using propane-fueled burners, the air is heated, and the balloon ascends. To descend, the air inside the balloon must be cooled by either letting the envelope cool on its own or by opening the vent at the top of the envelope to let some of the hot air out. Throughout a flight, the pilot will use a combination of heating and cooling the balloon to ascend and descend.

The balloon goes where the wind takes it, however, winds at varying altitudes may blow in different directions and at different speeds. The trick is to climb or descend to an altitude where the wind is blowing in the direction you want to go.

Hot air balloon rides are available only in Luxor and will take you in the early morning, over the Valley of the Kings etc. A wonderful experience, but very expensive. Prices fluctuate around $200 US per person. They must be booked as an option, as it will depend on weather conditions as to whether they will be available on any particular day.

A good ground crew can inflate and launch a balloon in fifteen minutes or less. It takes about the same amount of time to deflate and pack up the balloon after the flight.

It's what you might imagine a magic carpet ride to be. Very smooth, wonderful views and little sense of speed because you are moving with the wind. You can hear people calling up from the ground - even trains toot at you. If you ever get an opportunity - don't hesitate! This is in an open basket of course flying below 1000 feet.