Additional hot-air ballooning products available from Pitsco
LIGHTER THAN AIR PAK
Contains materials for 25 students to participate in a
fabulous hot-air balloon activity. Students can pair up and
create impressive six- or nine-foot balloons. One copy of Pitsco’s
Adventures in Lighter-Than-Air Flight book is included.
ADVENTURES IN
LIGHTER-THAN-AIR FLIGHT
A colorful, carefully researched, upto-date journey through the history and
science of lighter-than-air flight.
Meet the adventurers and scientists
who, often at the risk of their own lives,
made lighter-than-air flight a reality.
View the anatomy of rigid and nonrigid
airships, learn the real cause of the
Hindenburg disaster, and discover what
the Montgolfiers really thought made their
balloons fly. Marvel at an incredible parachute jump from the edge
of space and gain insight into the human spirit with the true story of
the harrowing escape from East Germany of eight young people in a
home-made hot-air balloon.
During their journey, students learn about Archimedes’ principle,
the density and lift of gases, atmospheric pressure, gravity, why air
is called a fluid, how airships and balloons fly, and more. Includes
science activities, classroom discussion questions, and instructions
for building six-foot and nine-foot tissue-paper hot-air balloons.
Paperback, 15 pages.
52728
57744
BALLOON
CONSTRUCTION
PAPER
20" x 30" sheets.
51934 Assorted colors (pkg of 100)
53749 Assorted colors (pkg of 480)
PITSCO DR. ZOON
HOT-AIR BALLOON
KIT
This is a great way
to introduce students
to the principles of
lighter-than-air flight,
as well as the concepts
of temperature,
density, and buoyancy!
The Dr. Zoon Hot-Air
Balloon Kit provides
students with everything they need to make
their own hot-air balloons! The kit includes
instructions, balloon construction paper, glue
stick, pipe cleaners, and a balloon gore pattern.
This hot-air balloon is approximately two feet
in diameter.
PITSCO DR. ZOON HOT-AIR BALLOONS VIDEO
Is Dr. Zoon full of hot air? We’re not sure about
Dr. Zoon, but we know his balloons are!
In this colorful video, Dr. Zoon demonstrates how to
construct a hot-air balloon using balloon construction paper
(see supplies in this section), glue sticks, and pipe cleaners.
Dr. Zoon provides construction steps and tips and also
provides some scientific background so students will understand how hot-air balloons
fly! Key concepts include buoyancy, density, and displacement. Time: 26 minutes.
Level: Intermediate-Middle School
59041
PITSCO ZOON BALLOON CLASS PAK
The same materials as in the Dr. Zoon
Hot-Air Balloon Kit, just more of
them – enough for 25 students to
make their own Zoon hot-air
balloon. The class pack includes:
• Assorted color tissue paper
• 100 pipe cleaners
• 25 glue sticks
• 100 paper clips
• 25 Zoon Balloon instructions
• Zoon Balloon template
29610
29609
59014 V0605
P.O. Box 1708 • Pittsburg, KS • 66762
www.pitsco.com
Pitsco, Inc. is not responsible
for bodily injury or property
damage that results from misuse
of its products. Use this product
outdoors only and follow all
directions and safety procedures
to ensure student safety.
Note: To obtain the clearest images, the pictures in this guide were photographed indoors in a studio. When
actually in use, the Hot-Air Balloon Launcher must always be operated outdoors, never indoors!
Contents of
Package
Assemble the Launcher
Inflation
Guides
The hot-air balloon
launcher package should
contain the following
items. If anything is
missing, call Pitsco
Customer Service at
Chimney
800-358-4983.
Launcher unit
Torch kit
Propane cylinder base
Igniter
Adventures in LighterThan-Air Flight book
• Instructions
Nylon Wire Wraps
•
•
•
•
•
• 3 nylon wire wraps
Torch
Hose
Flow Valve
Threaded
Valve Fitting
Torch Handle
Igniter
Propane
Cylinder Base
Tools and Materials You Will Need
• Propane cylinder
Construct Balloons
Assemble a six-foot or nine-foot tissue paper balloon
according to instructions in the Adventures in LighterThan-Air Flight book. Or assemble a two-foot balloon
as instructed in the Dr. Zoon Hot-Air Balloon Kit. If
tether lines are desired, attach them to the balloon before
launching. Tether lines can be made from kite string and
will keep the balloons from drifting.
Choose the Right Time and Place
• A cool, crisp morning is the best time to launch balloons.
• Air must be calm or the balloons will be blown away
from the launch site.
• The launch site should be level and well away from
buildings, power lines, and water.
The Inflation Station User’s Guide 59014 V0605
1. Set the launcher upright on a level surface.
2. Pull up on the inflation guides until they reach their
full height. One at a time, twist the wire wraps onto the
inflation guides. To do this, start on the right side of the
guide and twist the wire wrap counterclockwise over the
wire, pushing as you go, until the wire wrap covers the
guide (Figure 1). Note: Step 2 is only for the first-time
assembly. All other steps are for each use.
3. Remove the hardware
from the torch kit,
tilt the launcher to
one side, and screw
the torch handle into
the fitting on the
bottom of the launcher
(Figure 2). Return the
launcher to an upright
position.
4. Inspect the unit
for any loose parts,
worn hoses, or loose
connectors. Tighten or
replace as needed.
5. Set the propane
cylinder on the
cylinder base. This
keeps the canister
upright and prevents
tip-overs and flare-ups.
Figure 1
Figure 2
6. Attach the propane
cylinder to the
threaded valve fitting
on the torch hose
(Figure 3). Make
sure there is a snug
connection to seal
the unit.
Figure 3
Review Safety Procedures
1. Supervise students while the launcher is lit.
2. Do not touch the grill near the chimney while the launcher is
lit. It is very hot.
3. Do not lean over the launcher while it is lit. Clothing or hair
could singe or ignite.
4. Keep a fire extinguisher within easy reach when operating the
launcher.
5. Store propane cylinders away from sources of heat and sparks.
6. Keep tissue paper away from the hot-air exhaust. Balloon tissue
paper is flammable.
7. Operate the launcher outdoors only.
8. Keep students at least 10 feet from the launcher unless they are
launching a balloon.
Figure 4
Launch a Balloon
1. Review the above safety procedures before starting any balloon
launch.
2. Have the igniter ready. Open the flow valve slightly until you
hear the gas escaping (Figure 4). Insert the igniter into one of
the holes in the chimney and squeeze the trigger to light the gas
within the launcher (Figure 5).
3. Open the flow valve completely after the gas ignites.
4. One person can guide the balloon over the inflation guides.
Keep the balloon approximately one inch from the top of the
launcher with one hand holding the bottom and the other
holding up the top of the balloon (Figure 6). A second person
can help to hold the top of the balloon so the first person may
use both hands to hold the bottom of the balloon. If a balloon
is too big for a student to hold up, assist them.
Figure 5
WARNING
Balloon fabric is flammable. Never put the balloon flush
with the top of the launcher or expose it to the hot-air
exhaust for an extended period of time. Use Pitsco Balloon
Construction Paper only. Do not use ordinary tissue paper
– it has a lower ignition temperature and might catch fire.
5. Continue holding the balloon until it contains enough hot
air to keep its shape. Inflation times will vary depending on
temperature and balloon size.
6. When the pull from the buoyant hot air is steady and strong,
release the balloon into the air.
7. Repeat the steps above to launch successive balloons.
8. When finished, completely shut the flow valve to turn off
the launcher and unscrew the valve fitting from the propane
cylinder. Store the launcher and propane safely and apart from
each other. Also, store the launcher with the inflation guides
extended. Note: With use, the wire wraps will shrink a bit and
the inflation guides will lower an inch or so. This is expected.
Figure 6
Got questions? We’ve got answers! 800-358-4983