Hot air balloon facts for kids

A colorful hot air balloon soaring high in the sky.

Fun hot air balloons shaped like cartoon bees.

A unique hot air balloon designed to look like a famous building, the Abbey of Saint Gall.

A hot air balloon is an amazing type of aircraft that floats by using heated air. Imagine a giant fabric bag, called an envelope, filled with warm air. Hanging underneath this bag is a sturdy basket, usually made of wicker. This basket carries passengers and a special device called a burner. The burner creates a flame, usually by burning liquid propane, to heat the air inside the envelope.

The magic behind a hot air balloon is simple: hot air is lighter than cold air. Because the air inside the envelope is heated, it becomes less dense than the cooler air outside. This difference in density creates a lifting force, called buoyancy, which makes the balloon float upwards! Just like all aircraft, hot air balloons can only fly within Earth's atmosphere. The envelope doesn't need to be sealed at the bottom because the air pressure inside is similar to the air pressure outside. Most modern sport balloons use strong nylon fabric for the envelope, and the part closest to the burner is made from a special fire-resistant material like Nomex. Today, you can see balloons in many cool shapes, from rockets to cartoon characters, though the classic teardrop shape is still very popular.

Hot air balloons were the very first way humans successfully flew! The first time people flew freely in a hot air balloon was on November 21, 1783, in Paris, France. The brave pilots were Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d'Arlandes. Their balloon was designed by the famous Montgolfier brothers. If a hot air balloon can be steered instead of just drifting with the wind, it's called a thermal airship.

The Exciting History of Hot Air Balloons

Early Ideas and Unmanned Flights

A beautiful sky lantern floating upwards.

Long before modern balloons, people had ideas about flying! One early example is the sky lantern from ancient China. Around 220–280 CE, a military strategist named Zhuge Liang used these small, airborne lanterns for signaling during battles. Later, in the 13th century, Mongolian armies also used them.

In the 18th century, a Portuguese priest named Bartolomeu de Gusmão in Brazil dreamed of an "air vessel" called the Passarola. He even showed an unmanned version to the King of Portugal in 1709. This early idea was a step towards understanding how things could float in the air.

Some people even wonder if ancient cultures, like the Nazca culture in Peru, might have used simple balloons. In the 1970s, a balloonist named Julian Nott explored this idea. He even built a balloon using only materials available to the Nazca people to see if it was possible!

The First Human Flights

A model of the Montgolfier brothers' amazing balloon.

The real breakthrough came in France with two brothers, Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier. They developed a hot air balloon and showed it to the public on September 19, 1783. This first flight was unmanned and lasted 10 minutes. After trying flights with animals, the first human to go up in a balloon was Jean-Francois Pilatre de Rozier on October 15, 1783. His flight was tethered, meaning the balloon was tied to the ground.

Just a few weeks later, on November 21, 1783, the first free flight with human passengers took place! Pilatre de Rozier and Marquis François d'Arlandes were the brave pilots. King Louis XVI had other ideas for who should fly first, but de Rozier and d'Arlandes successfully asked for the honor. Hot air balloons were even used for military observation in 1794 during the Battle of Fleurus.

Modern Hot Air Balloons Take Flight

A hot air balloon floating over the city of Helsinki in 2009.

Many hot air balloons create a stunning view at sunrise in Cappadocia.

Small, fun Hopper balloons for one or two people.

Exciting balloons at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

The hot air balloons we see today, with their own heat source, were developed much later. Ed Yost and Jim Winker started working on them in the 1950s. Their efforts led to the first successful modern flight on October 22, 1960. The first modern hot air balloon in the United Kingdom was the Bristol Belle, built in 1967. Today, hot air balloons are mostly used for fun and amazing recreational flights!

Amazing Hot Air Balloon Records

Hot air balloons have achieved some incredible feats! Here are a few world records:

Highest Flight Altitude

On November 26, 2005, Vijaypat Singhania set the world record for the highest hot air balloon flight. He reached an incredible 21,027 m (68,986 ft) (about 13 miles) above the Earth! He launched from Mumbai, India.

Fastest Balloon Flight

On January 15, 1991, Per Lindstrand and Richard Branson flew from Japan to Northern Canada. Their balloon, the "Virgin Pacific Flyer," was the largest ever built for hot air. It reached an amazing ground speed of 394 km/h (245 mph) (about 394 km/h) by riding the powerful jet streams!

Longest Duration Flight

The longest nonstop trip around the world by balloon was achieved by Swiss psychiatrist Bertrand Piccard and Briton Brian Jones. They flew the Breitling Orbiter 3 for 19 days, 21 hours, and 55 minutes! They launched from Switzerland on March 1, 1999, and landed in the Egyptian desert on March 21, 1999.

Quickest Trip Around the World

Steve Fossett flew solo around the world in 320 hours and 33 minutes on July 3, 2002. Later, Fedor Konyukhov beat this record, flying solo in a hybrid balloon from July 11 to 23, 2016, in just 268 hours and 20 minutes!

How Hot Air Balloons Are Built

A hot air balloon designed for carrying people has a single fabric bag, or "envelope." This envelope has an opening at the bottom called the "mouth." Below the envelope, a basket (or gondola) carries the passengers. Above the basket, inside the mouth of the envelope, is the "burner." This device shoots a flame into the envelope, heating the air inside. The burner uses propane, a special gas stored in strong metal tanks.

The Envelope: The Giant Bag

Modern hot air balloons are usually made from tough, lightweight fabrics like ripstop nylon or dacron (a type of polyester).

A large fan helps inflate a hot air balloon with cold air before the burners are used.

During manufacturing, the fabric is cut into many panels and sewn together. Strong "load tapes" are also sewn in to help carry the weight of the basket. These long sections, from the bottom opening to the very top, are called "gores." A balloon can have anywhere from 4 to over 24 gores.

At the very top, many envelopes have a "crown ring," which is a smooth metal hoop. The vertical load tapes connect to this ring. At the bottom of the envelope, the load tapes form loops that connect to cables. These cables, called "flying wires," then attach to the basket with strong clips called carabiners.

Strong Seams Hold It Together

The most common way to sew the fabric panels is called a "French fell" or "double lap" seam. This involves folding the fabric edges over each other, often with a load tape, and then stitching them with two rows of parallel sewing. This makes the seams very strong and durable.

Special Coatings for Fabric

Enjoying a hot air balloon safari over Maasai Mara.

Sometimes, the fabric, especially the top part, is coated with a sealer like silicone. This makes the fabric airtight, preventing hot air from escaping. Over time, heat, moisture, and wear can damage this coating, making the balloon less efficient. When an envelope becomes too porous (leaky) to fly safely, it might be retired.

Sizes and Passenger Capacity

Hot air balloons come in many sizes! The smallest ones, called "Hoppers" or "Cloudhoppers," are for one person and have an envelope volume as small as 600 m³ (21,000 cu ft). On the other hand, large commercial balloons can carry more than two dozen people, with envelopes up to 17,000 m³ (600,000 cu ft). A common size is about 2,800 m³ (99,000 cu ft), which can carry 3 to 5 people.

Vents for Control

Looking up from inside the basket, you can see the parachute vent at the top of the envelope.

Most balloons have a vent at the top. This allows the pilot to release hot air to control the balloon's up and down movement. Opening the vent can slow an ascent, start a descent, or make the balloon descend faster for landing. Some balloons also have "turning vents" on the sides to help the pilot rotate the balloon.

The most common type is a "parachute vent," which is a disk of fabric at the top. It's connected by lines to a control rope in the basket. Pulling this rope opens the vent. When the rope is released, the hot air pressure pushes the vent closed again. Pilots can open it briefly during flight for a quick descent or open it fully after landing to deflate the balloon.

The Basket: Where Passengers Ride

A hot air balloon basket carrying passengers high above the ground.

A large wicker basket designed to hold many passengers.

Hot air balloon baskets are usually made from woven wicker or rattan. These materials are light, strong, and very durable. Baskets are often rectangular or triangular and can range from small, for two people, to very large, for thirty passengers! Larger baskets often have dividers inside for strength and to separate passengers. Small holes are sometimes woven into the sides to help people climb in and out.

Some special baskets are made from aluminium to be lighter or easier to transport. These are often used by pilots flying alone or trying to set records.

The Burner: The Heart of the Balloon

A powerful burner directing a flame into the balloon's envelope.

A close-up view of a hot air balloon burner.

The burner unit is what heats the air. It turns liquid propane into a gas, mixes it with air, lights it, and then sends the flame and hot exhaust into the envelope. Burners are very powerful, producing a lot of heat. Balloons might have one, two, or even more burners for extra power.

The pilot controls the burner by opening a "blast valve" to release propane. The burner has a small "pilot light" that stays lit to ignite the propane-air mixture. Pilots can light this pilot light with a flint striker or a built-in sparker. Some burners also have a "whisper burner" setting, which creates a quieter, softer flame. This is useful when flying over animals to avoid startling them.

Fuel Tanks: Storing the Power

Propane fuel tanks are usually strong, cylindrical containers made from aluminium, stainless steel, or titanium. They have a valve to feed fuel to the burner and for refilling. These tanks often have gauges to show how much fuel is left and the pressure inside. Common tank sizes are 38, 57 and 76 litres (10, 15 and 20 US gallons).

Sometimes, tanks are preheated with electric "heat tapes" to ensure enough pressure for flying in cold weather. They are often wrapped in insulating blankets to keep them warm during flight.

Instrumentation: What Pilots See

A balloon might have several instruments to help the pilot. These usually include an altimeter (to show altitude), a variometer (to show how fast the balloon is climbing or descending), and thermometers for both inside and outside the envelope. A GPS receiver is also very helpful for showing ground speed and direction, since a balloon drifts with the wind.

How Hot Air Balloons Fly

Generating Lift: The Science of Floating

A thermal image showing how temperatures can vary inside a hot air balloon.

The main idea behind a hot air balloon is simple: hot air rises! When the air inside the envelope is heated, it becomes less dense than the cooler air outside. This difference in density creates a lifting force, called buoyancy, which makes the balloon float. This is the same principle that makes objects float in water, known as Archimedes' principle.

The amount of lift a balloon gets depends mostly on how much hotter the air inside is compared to the air outside. For most nylon envelopes, the maximum safe internal temperature is about 120 °C (250 °F). Going much hotter can weaken the fabric over time. Many pilots fly at slightly lower temperatures to make their balloons last longer.

For example, a large balloon with an envelope volume of 2,800 m³ (100,000 cu ft) can lift about 723.5 kilograms (1,595 lb) when the air inside is heated to 99 °C (210 °F) on a 20 °C (68 °F) day. This is enough to lift the basket, fuel, and passengers! On a warm day, a balloon might not be able to lift as much as on a cool day because the temperature difference won't be as great. Also, the higher you go, the less lift a balloon provides.

Different Kinds of Hot Air Balloons

There are several types of hot air balloons, each with unique features for flight.

Montgolfier Balloons

A Virgin hot air balloon flying over Cambridge.

Standard hot air balloons are called Montgolfier balloons. They rely completely on the hot air from their burners to create lift. This is the type of balloon the Montgolfier brothers first demonstrated in 1783.

Gas Balloons

A ballooning event at the 1900 Olympics in Paris.

Instead of hot air, some balloons use lighter-than-air gases like helium or hydrogen for lift. While not technically hot air balloons, they influenced the design of hybrid balloons.

Hybrid Balloons (Rozière Balloons)

The Breitling Orbiter 3, a Rozière/Hybrid balloon, made the first non-stop balloon circumnavigation of the globe in 1999.

An early drawing of a hybrid balloon.

The 1785 Rozière balloon is a type of hybrid balloon, named after its inventor, Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier. It has two separate sections: one for a lighter-than-air gas (usually helium) and another for hot air. The hot air section helps heat the helium at night, making these balloons very efficient for long flights. Early designs used hydrogen, but this was quickly changed to helium due to safety concerns with open flames. Modern hybrid balloons are often used for setting flight records.

Solar Balloons

A four-meter-high (13 ft) solar balloon floating over a meadow.

Solar balloons are special hot air balloons that use only solar energy to heat the air inside. Their envelopes are designed to absorb as much sunlight as possible, often by being black or a dark color. They were first developed in the 1970s.

Thermal Airships

A Thermal airship getting ready for takeoff in Germany.

A thermal airship, also known as a blimp, is a steerable hot air balloon. These airships became a reality in the 1960s. They use only hot air and have tail fins and a rudder, allowing pilots to steer them through the sky.

Observation Balloons

Observation balloons were used as early as the American Civil War for looking over battlefields. Thaddeus S. C. Lowe designed the first military-funded balloon in America in 1861 for the Union army. These balloons were often tear-shaped and used gases like hydrogen or "illumination gas" for lift. By the late 19th century, the British Royal Engineers used them in places like Sudan and South Africa.

Controlling and Landing a Balloon

Steering a Hot Air Balloon

Hot air balloons cannot be steered precisely like airplanes. Instead, pilots use different wind directions at various altitudes to guide the balloon. In the Northern Hemisphere, winds often turn eastward as you go higher due to the coriolis effect. Pilots can climb or descend to find wind currents that will take them in the desired direction.

Landing a Hot Air Balloon

To land a hot air balloon, the pilot needs to reduce the amount of hot air inside the envelope. This is done by turning down the burner flame or, more directly, by opening a vent in the envelope to release hot air. This causes the balloon to descend gently to the ground.

Important Safety Equipment

To keep everyone safe, hot air balloons carry several important pieces of safety equipment.

Safety in the Basket

Pilots always have a backup way to light the burner, like a flint spark lighter, in case the main pilot light goes out. Many balloons, especially those carrying passengers, have two complete fuel and burner systems. This means if one system has a problem, there's a backup for a safe landing.

A fire extinguisher designed for propane fires is also kept in the basket. Most balloons carry a small, effective fire extinguisher.

A "handling line" or "drop line" is a long rope (20–30 meters) attached to the basket. In calm winds, the pilot can throw this line to the ground crew, who can then guide the balloon away from obstacles during landing.

For commercial passenger flights, pilots in some countries must wear a special harness. This keeps them secure in the basket during landings, especially if the landing is a bit bumpy. Other safety items include a first-aid kit, a fire blanket, and a strong rescue knife.

Safety for Occupants

Pilots should always wear leather or flame-resistant gloves, like those made from Nomex. This protects their hands if they need to handle a gas valve near a flame. They should also wear flame-resistant clothing that covers their arms and legs, such as natural fibers like cotton or wool. These materials will singe rather than melt onto the skin. Many pilots also suggest passengers wear similar protective clothing and sturdy shoes that support their ankles. Some balloon systems also require helmets for pilots and passengers.

Safety for the Ground Crew

The ground crew should always wear gloves when handling ropes or lines. A moving balloon can create a lot of friction, which can cause rope burns. They should also wear strong shoes and long pants, especially when working in rough or overgrown areas during setup or landing.

Care and Repair of Balloons

Just like other aircraft, hot air balloons need regular care to stay safe and in good flying condition. Since they are made of fabric, they sometimes need repairs for rips or snags. While owners or pilots can do some tasks, like cleaning, more complex repairs, like sewing, must be done by trained technicians and recorded in the balloon's maintenance log.

Regular Maintenance

To make sure the envelope lasts a long time and flies safely, it should be kept clean and dry. This prevents mold and mildew from growing and stops damage from rubbing against dirt during packing. If the balloon lands in a wet or muddy spot, the envelope must be cleaned and hung to dry completely.

The burner and fuel system also need to be kept clean and checked regularly to ensure they work perfectly. Damaged fuel hoses or leaky valves must be fixed or replaced. The wicker basket might need occasional repairs or a new finish, and the protective skids on its bottom might need replacing.

In most places, balloons follow a strict maintenance schedule from the manufacturer. This includes regular inspections (every 100 flight hours or 12 months) and any necessary repairs.

Making Repairs

If the envelope fabric gets a snag, burn, or rip, a patch can be applied, or the damaged section can be replaced entirely. Patches can be glued, taped, or stitched on. Replacing a whole panel involves carefully removing the old stitching and sewing in a new panel using the correct techniques and thread.

Rules for Flying Hot Air Balloons

Depending on the balloon's size, where it's flown, and how it's used, hot air balloons and their pilots must follow different rules and regulations.

Balloon Regulations

In the US, like other aircraft, balloons must be registered (have an N-number), have an airworthiness certificate, and pass yearly inspections. Smaller balloons (under 155 pounds or 70 kg empty weight) can sometimes be flown as ultralight aircraft, which have fewer rules.

Pilot Licenses

In Australia

In Australia, private balloon pilots are part of the Australian Ballooning Federation. Pilots who carry paying passengers or do promotional flights need a special Air Operators Certificate from the Australian Civil Aviation and Safety Authority (CASA). Pilots need more experience to fly larger balloons. All hot air balloons must be registered aircraft and regularly checked by approved experts.

In the UK

In the UK, pilots must have a Private Pilot's Licence for ballooning (PPL(B)) from the Civil Aviation Authority. For commercial flights, there are different types of Commercial Pilot's Licences (CPL(B)). A CPL(B) Restricted is needed for sponsored flights, while a full CPL(B) is required to fly passengers for money. Passenger-carrying balloons also need a special maintenance log.

In the United States

In the United States, a hot air balloon pilot needs a pilot certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This certificate specifies "Lighter-than-air free balloon" and usually states "Limited to hot-air balloons with airborne heater." While not always required for ultralight balloons, training is highly recommended.

To carry paying passengers or attend some balloon festivals, a pilot needs a commercial pilot certificate. Commercial pilots can also become hot air balloon flight instructors. Many pilots fly for fun, but some make a career out of flying passenger sightseeing tours or corporate advertising balloons.

Safety in Hot Air Ballooning

Hot air ballooning is generally a very safe activity, thanks to strict regulations, pilot training, and safety equipment. However, like any form of travel, incidents can sometimes occur. These events highlight the importance of following all safety procedures and regulations to ensure the well-being of everyone on board and on the ground. Organizations around the world continuously work to improve safety standards and learn from every incident to make ballooning even safer.

Who Makes Hot Air Balloons?

A new 2017 Cameron hot air balloon in flight.

The biggest maker of hot air balloons is Cameron Balloons in Bristol, England. They also own Lindstrand Balloons. Cameron Balloons and other English companies like Thunder and Colt (now part of Cameron) are known for creating amazing special-shaped balloons.

The second largest manufacturer is Ultramagic from Spain, making 80 to 120 balloons each year. Ultramagic builds very large balloons, like the N-500, which can carry up to 27 people! They also create many special shapes.

Kubicek Balloons from the Brno, Czechia is another one of the top three largest companies. They ship 100 to 115 balloons worldwide each year and also focus on special shape balloons.

One of the last Aerostar International, Inc. RX8 balloons.

In the US, Aerostar International, Inc. used to be North America's largest manufacturer but stopped making balloons in January 2007. Now, Adams Balloons in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the oldest US-certified manufacturer. Other American makers include Firefly Balloons (formerly The Balloon Works) and Head Balloons, Inc..

In Canada, major manufacturers are Sundance Balloons and Fantasy Sky Promotions. Other companies around the world include Kavanagh Balloons (Australia), Schroeder Fire Balloons (Germany), and LLopis Balloons (France).

See also

In Spanish: Globo aerostático para niños