"Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk this earth with your eyes turned skywards.
For there you have been, and there you will long to return."
Leonardo da Vinci |
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| What are balloons made of? |
A balloon system consists of three major parts:
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The envelope is the colourful fabric bag that holds the air. It is made of lightweight ripstop nylon or Dacron which is coated with polyurethane to reduce porosity. It contains approximately 1,000 to 1,2000 yards of fabric and more than three miles of thread. The fabric around the mouth of the balloon are usually made from a fire resistant material, Nomex, similar to the suits of fire fighters.
The basket, made of wicker or rattan, is strong and flexible and strengthened with steel cables.
The burner is the power plant of the system. It is positioned above the passengers' heads and produces a huge flame to heat the air inside the envelope. It is fueled by liquid propane carried onboard the balloon and generates up to 20 million BTU's of hot air per hour.
The amount of fuel carried burned in a hour depends on the "outside" temperature and the weight (of passengers and basket). One of the crucial questions asked to passengers is their weight. We do this for a very important safety reason ~ we promise not to disclose this info ~ this is the one place where is in your safety to be honest about your weight.
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| How big are they? |
Hot air balloons range in size from small, one person systems to balloons that can carry 20 people. The most commons sizes are from 120,000 to 210,000 cubic feet and carry 3 to 10 people. When fully inflated they vary from 60 to 90 feet high and 45 to 60 feet in diameter. The average size balloon carries 30 to 40 gallons of fuel and weighs anywhere from 400 to 700 pounds.
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| How do they work? |
Hot air rises. If the air inside the envelope is heated by the burner, the balloon will rise. If the air in the envelope is allowed to cool off, the hot air is "vented" (allowed to escape) from the balloon, the balloon will descend. An altimeter, a-rate-of-climb meter and an envelope temperature gauge are instruments used in the balloon. The pilot has complete control of the up and down movements by controlling the heat in the envelope.
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| How are they inflated? |
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The basket is laid on its side and attached to the envelope which is then spread out on the ground. A portable (gasoline powered) fan pushes air into the envelope. When the envelope is almost filled with cold air, the propane burner is ignited and the air inside is heated enough for the balloon to rise to an upright position. With a small amount of additional heat the balloon will become buoyant. The inflation usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
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| How high do they fly? |
Normally between 500 and 1500 ft. Occasionally, when conditions permit, we may dip down low to brush treetops, or climb as high as 5000 ft to enjoy the panorama of the countryside. Our own Procolor Balloon held the altitude record for Balloons in SA from 1984 until 1996. On 17 June 1984, Tony Corrie flew 6624 m / 21,733 ft with Procolor.
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| Is it cold up there? |
Surprisingly no. Balloons fly with the wind, so there is no chill factor, even on a cold day. Because a certain amount of heat radiates downwards from the burners, you may actually feel warmer in the basket than you do on the ground.
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| How many people does it take to fly a balloon? |
It takes only one pilot to fly it, but the pilot needs 3 – 4 crew people to safely launch a balloon. Duties of the crew include launch preparation, following the balloon in the retrieve vehicle, obtaining permission from the landowner for landing, and retrieval of the balloon after the flight. Safety is the primary concern of both pilot and crew, followed closely by concern for the rights and protection of property owners on the ground.
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| How safe is it? |
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Ballooning statistically is the safest form of flying. Accidents are extremely rare, and injuries, even minor ones are virtually unheard of. Our pilots have been trained to the highest professional standards under procedures laid down by the Civil Aviation Authority for all aircraft operators so you can be assured of the highest safety standards and the most up-to-date equipment available. All our balloons are inspected, maintained and operated in accordance with the strict codes of practice and regulations laid down by the CAA.
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