Hot air ballooning facts for kids
Hot air ballooning is a fun activity where people fly in a hot air balloon. It's a unique way to see the world from above! Imagine floating quietly through the sky, like a bird, with amazing views all around.
When you're in a hot air balloon, you usually don't feel any wind. This is because the balloon moves along with the wind. The only time you might feel a slight breeze is if the balloon goes up or down into air currents that are moving at a different speed or direction.
What is Hot Air Ballooning?
Hot air ballooning is a type of aviation where you fly in a special aircraft called a hot air balloon. These balloons use heated air to become lighter than the air around them, which makes them float. It's a peaceful and exciting way to travel through the sky.
How Does It Feel to Fly?
One of the best parts about flying in a hot air balloon is how quiet it is. You'll only hear the sound of the propane burners when they fire up to heat the air. Otherwise, it's very calm and peaceful. You also won't feel like you're moving, even though you're soaring high above the ground. It's a smooth ride that offers incredible views, like looking down from a giant window in the sky.
Is Hot Air Ballooning Safe?
Yes, hot air ballooning is considered a very safe air sport. The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), which is a group that keeps track of air sports, recognizes it as one of the safest ways to fly. Serious accidents are very rare, according to information from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Pilots are well-trained, and balloons are regularly checked to make sure they are safe for flight.
Images for kids
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A model of the Montgolfier brothers balloon at the London Science Museum
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Hot air balloons in flight
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Early morning departures
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Hot air balloon being inflated by its propane burners prior to a dawn launch.
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The inside of a hot air balloon's envelope, seen from the gondola.
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A Balloon Works Firefly 7 balloon in level flight.
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A typical chase vehicle with room for the equipment, chase crew, pilot, and all passengers.
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Holding the crown line while the balloon deflates after landing.
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A balloonist prepares to drop a marker on a competition target, in this case the centre of a road intersection.
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Seattle Ballooning Flying A Hot Air Balloon In The Mountains Near Seattle
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Preparing for flight: This large wicker balloon basket holds 16 passengers. The pilot is climbing out after his pre-flight tests
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Final Inflation: Firing the propane burners to complete inflation
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Flight: A Virgin hot air balloon flying over Cambridge
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Landing: An unusual top view of the basket, after tipping onto its side during landing at dusk
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Retrieval: The envelope is packed back into its bag for storage until the next flight
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Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
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Bristol, England
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Gatineau-Quebec, Canada
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Kapadokya, Turkey
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Marrakesh-Morocco
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San Diego, California, USA
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Warstein, Germany
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Seattle, Washington
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