Created by Kim Wooge
FAA Category and Class
Lighter-Than-Air Balloon (other lighter than air
include airships) with most pilots having a
limitation of “limited to hot air balloon with
airborne heater” some LTA balloon rated pilots
are also rated for gas ballooning and do not
have this limitation.
LTA balloons have three types of licenses:
student, private and commercial.
Equipment
• Baskets (Gondola)
– Burners
– Tanks
Everything together is
called a balloon system
• Envelope
Basket (Gondola)
• Made of wicker
• Why Wicker?
– Strength
– Flexibility
– Impact-absorbency
– Ease of repair
– Lightweight
• Baskets range in size from a single person sport
balloon basket to commercial ride baskets that
can hold over 30.
Envelope
• Fabric portion of the balloon system
• Can be many different shapes and
sizes with customizable designs.
• Most often made of Rip-Stop Nylon
–Similar to kite fabric, but heavier
and more durable
Burners
• The “engine” is the Burner
• Use liquid propane
• “Coils” preheat the propane for better fuel
efficiency & better BTU output
• Most burners have 2 different ways to
generate lift, some have 4 or more.
Tanks
• Liquid Propane is used for fuel
– Same stuff used for your
outdoor grill (just a lot more!)
• Typically fly with 30-40 gallons
• Tanks can be stand up or lay
down tanks
Watch how the basket is made:
• http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1525370/h
ow_its_made_hot_air_balloon_baskets/
Instruments
Altimeter
Absolute
Altitude
•Envelope Temp.
•Ambient Temp.
•Time
• Wired
• Wireless
Inflation
• First hook up the envelope to the basket
• Then turn on a fan and inflate the balloon
with “cold” air in preparation of hot inflation.
• Next “hot” inflate. Using flame from burners,
put heat into the cold inflated envelope,
causing the air inside the balloon to become
hotter than the surrounding air, and the
balloon will rise.
Flying a Balloon
•
•
•
•
Hot air is less dense than cold air. Hence: hot air rises
Lighter Than Air flying (LTA)
Fly with the wind
Different levels of flight offer different wind currents
through which to fly
• Can “steer” a balloon by changes in altitudes if the
winds are going different directions. Direction is
based on wind.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77Ej_Ayugxk
Landing a balloon
“Flying is the 2nd greatest thrill known to man,
Landing is the 1st!”
• A parachute in the top of the balloon allows for
hot air to escape when it is opened, starting a
descent
Watch a video on How Balloons work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77Ej_Ayugxk
How to get involved
• Join the Balloon Federation of America
www.bfa.net
• Go to Balloon Camp!
http://www.bfacamps.com/
Contact
– Kim Wooge: Dubuque, IA Camp Director
– Jeff Haliczer: Reno, NV Camp Director
[email protected]