Have you ever looked at a hot air balloon off in the distance and wondered how it works? What keeps those big, beautiful balloons up in the air? How do you steer them? How do you land it? How do you ride in one? Well, it all comes down to one simple law of physics: warmer air rises in cooler air. Why is this? Because hot air is lighter than cool air and as a result, it has less mass per unit of volume. For example, a cubic foot of air weighs roughly 28 grams. When you heat the air by 100 degrees F, it weighs 7 grams less. How does this impact hot air balloon flight? Each cubic foot of air contained in a hot air balloon can lift about 7 grams. That's right - only 7 grams; not very much. So, the way we compensate for this is by making the hot air balloon very large, or enough to lift 1,000 pounds. How do you keep the balloon rising? By reheating the air with a "burner" positioned under the open balloon envelope. The pilot reheats the cooling air in the balloon by firing the burner.
So what type of fuel do pilots use while hot air ballooning? Propane, which is stored in compressed liquid form, in the balloon basket. Hers how hot air balloon rides work:
* In order to draw the liquid out, the intake hose goes to the bottom of the cylinder. * It flows fairly fast through the hoses because the propane is highly compressed. * When the pilot starts up the burner, the propane flows out in liquid form and is ignited by a pilot light. * As the flame is burning, it heats up all of the metal in the surrounding tubing area. * When the tubing gets hot, it heats the propane flowing through it, changing the propane from a liquid to a gas. * How does this help? It makes for a more powerful flame and more efficient fuel consumption.
Why doesn't the hot air escape from the hole at the bottom of the hot air balloon? because buoyancy keeps it moving up. You've probably seen hot air balloon pilots fire the burners. If they do this a lot, the balloon will continue to rise. Of course, since air becomes thin at high altitudes, the buoyant force eventually gets too weak to lift the balloon.
So, how does a pilot maneuver this air craft? It does take some skill, but the controls are fairly simple. To lift the hot air balloon during the ride, the pilot moves a control that opens up the propane valve. The flow of gas increases as they turn it, so the flame grows correspondingly in size. How does the pilot increase the vertical speed? By blasting a larger flame which heats the air faster.
So, that's really it. Only two main things to remember: heating to make the balloon rise and venting to make it sink. How do hot air balloon pilots they get the balloon from place to place? They actually can maneuver horizontally by changing their vertical position, because wind blows in different directions at different altitudes. Based on where exactly they want to go, a pilot ascends and descends to the appropriate level, and rides with the wind.
Hot air ballooning is one of life's simple pleasures!
Typically these trips require that you make your own way to the take-off points but some of these trips allow you you get there in luxury transport such as a limo and executive people carrier.
It is an early start though at around 5.30am although obviously this can change depending both on the time of the year and of course the weather on the day. Typically you will meet an hour prior to sunrise and travel to one of the many launch sites in the Orlando area. Inflation takes about 20 minutes and then you'll be airborne!
Watching the balloon inflate is in itself a very exciting experience and if you have not seen it happen before you will be spellbound by it. The thing that most people comment on about watching a balloon inflate for the very first time is the noise. The rush of the flames coming from the burners is very intense and extremely loud.
The the balloon is fully inflated and you and your party are aboard you will ascend to several thousand feet in the beautiful Orlando morning sky sky and enjoy this unforgettable flight over tree tops and theme parks. Your skilled and knowledgeable pilot will point out all the important sites of the interest in the area. This will range from the neatly ordered groves where oranges bloom to infamous Florida swamps where alligators and other critters live and lurk.
Typically the balloon flight will last around one hour and most people tend to find that this time (if you pardon the pun)- just flies by time. It is also great chance for a little quiet reflection and just to quietly take in the amazing sights that you can see. With the deafening silence only broken by the sound of the burners blasting out some more hot air into the balloon
On certain trips once you have landed and the balloon are stored away, you are treated to a traditional Champagne toast, where you raise your glass to a beautiful morning in the clouds. Bask in the after flight wonderment with your fellow voyagers and listen to the chick of the champagne flutes. Do not worry if you are driving or it is a little too early in the day for an alcoholic drink as non-alcoholic beverages are also normally available.
Some trips then offer the chance for a hearty breakfast - it is amazing sometimes that all that fresh air can create a huge appetite. This is normally take the form of a buffet style breakfast at a hotel local to the balloon landing area.
The hot air balloon experience is a fantastic alternative trip to take whilst you spend some time in the Orlando area. And one you can brag about and recommend to all your friends who surely will want to eagerly try this for themselves.
Both Jon Wuebben & Jamie Hanson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jon Wuebben has sinced written about articles on various topics from Hot Air Balloons, Data Recovery and Home Management. (c) 2006 California Dreamin, offers and biplane rides since 1977. Featuring sunrise flights in the Temecula valley wine country and sunset fli. Jon Wuebben's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.
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