Hot air balloon enthusiasts are now found all over the world, and sometimes offer either paid rides or volunteer positions as ground crew. If you are interested in hot air ballooning, you will need to undergo training and be certified before you can fly solo. Learn the ways of hot air balloon monkeys to help you decide if this hobby is right for you.
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Part 1 of 2: Understanding the Basics of Flying a Balloon
Step 1. Understand why balloons fly
Hot air ballooning is based on a simple concept. When you heat air or other gases, the density of that air or gas decreases. Just like the bubbles in an aquarium, the hot air will float over and around the cooler, denser air. Heat enough air in the balloon to lift the balloon canvas, basket, and everyone inside.
The air gets thinner (its density decreases) as you go up because there is less pressure from the weight of the air above it. Therefore, a hot air balloon only rises until it reaches a point where the density of the balloon plus the air inside is equal to the density of the surrounding air
Step 2. Know the basic structure of the balloon
The structure of the hot air balloon is very simple so you may already understand it, but learning the terminology is helpful so that you and the balloon crew can communicate with each other:
- Fabric balloons themselves are called sheath (envelope), made of sewn panels and is called a scratch.
- In most balloons, there is a hole in the top of the casing, tightly covered by a fold of fabric. This section is called parachute valve (parachute valve). This section is attached to tear path (rip line) along the basket.
- The bottom end of the sheath, or mouth (mouth) is on top burner (burner) will produce a flame that is ignited by propane tank (propane tanks) underneath.
- Propane, passenger and cargo tanks are inside basket (basketball) attached under the shroud.
Step 3. Wear protective clothing
Pilots must wear safety goggles as they will be in close proximity to fire. Pilots and crew must wear strong gloves, long sleeves, and long pants. Avoid nylon, polyester, or other materials that melt when exposed to fire.
Everyone in the basket should remember that balloons can land in mud or rough terrain, so wear comfortable clothing and shoes
Step 4. Release more propane to allow the balloon to rise
To add propane to a fire, you'll need to open a simple explosion valve in the line attached to the propane tank, usually just below the burner. The wider you open the valve, the more heat rushes into the balloon, making the balloon rise faster.
Drop a ballast or heavy object onto the side of the balloon to reduce the overall density of the balloon causing it to rise. For this obvious reason, this method is not recommended over populated areas
Step 5. Learn how to stay at a stable altitude
Just like any object that is hotter than its surroundings, a hot air balloon will cool down over time, causing it to descend slowly. To stay at the same height, you'll need to use one or both of these techniques:
- The propane tank has a meter or "cruise" valve that controls how much propane is released into the burners. Open the tank slowly as you fly to keep the balloon at the same height.
- A short burst of additional propane from the blast valve will lift the balloon when it dives too low.
Step 6. Open the parachute valve to lower the balloon
Remember, the parachute valve is a fold of fabric over the balloon casing. This crease automatically closes itself when left alone, but you can pull on the red wire called the tear line to lift the crease. This makes hot air escape from above. Keep pulling the string until the balloon drops to the desired height, then release it again to close the crease.
The parachute valve is also known as the deflation port, and the tear line is called the deflation port line
Step 7. Raise or lower the balloon to control the direction
There is no direct way to control the direction of the balloon. However, there are usually several layers of wind stacked on top of each other, blowing the balloon in different directions. Raise or lower the balloon to catch a different flow of traffic, and the balloon will reverse direction. Pilots must often improvise while flying to a certain extent. Catching the right wind at the right time requires a lot of experience and planning.
- Many balloons have strings for pulling side vents or open folds on the sides of the shroud, but these are only for turning the basket.
- Almost all hot air balloon flights are followed by a car or truck on land that will transport the balloon and its passengers after the balloon lands.
Part 2 of 2: Piloting a Balloon
Step 1. Take a training course before you fly as a master pilot
The instructions below can help you understand the duties and skills required of a balloon pilot, but they are no substitute for real experience. Licensing fees and participating in pilot training can cost tens of millions of rupiah, but you can start by volunteering for a ground crew. After undergoing field training, you will only need about 10-15 hours of flight training to pass the certification test, although this varies by country.
Step 2. Check wind conditions
It is very important to understand when to cancel a flight. Flying in high winds is dangerous and should not be attempted. Beginners should fly in the first few hours after sunrise and the first few hours before sunset, as winds are usually predictable and low-speed at this time.
Step 3. Check all vital equipment
The basket should at least contain a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, topographic map, flight map, altimeter, and a logbook to record flight details. Check the propane fuel tank gauge so that there is definitely enough fuel for the flight - usually around 114 liters per hour. For longer flights, you will need radio equipment and possibly electronic navigation equipment.
Step 4. Pump the balloon to take off
Almost all balloons require several people to descend to the ground. First, the burner is attached to the basket frame and placed sideways with the casing attached and opened along the ground. The mouth of the casing is lifted open and pumped using a high-power fan for about ten minutes, then heated using a burner. The basket is usually held by the crew members, and/or strapped to the car on the ground until the balloon is ready to take off. The basket is erected, the passengers and pilot enter, and the pilot releases a steady flame from the burners to take off from the ground.
Step 5. Stay alert during takeoff
As a pilot, you have to stay alert and watch the casing inflate. Ground crews also continue to hold the line until everything is stable and ready to proceed as planned. Check briefly but periodically for trees or other obstacles that pose a risk of hitting the balloon in all directions. Once you feel the first wind on takeoff, immediately observe the obstacle closest to the flight path, and don't look away until the balloon is safely above it. This makes it easier for you to spot directional deviations, and to react quickly to rides.
Step 6. Understand weather phenomena
Aspiring balloon pilots must pass a meteorological test to earn certification, including a basic understanding of how temperature, altitude, and humidity interact, and being familiar with the types of clouds that can tell air conditions. These are not covered in this article, but this document provides some examples of common phenomena:
- A significant change in wind direction as the balloon rises or falls is called wind shear and requires special focus because it can speed up or slow down the balloon's motion. If strong wind shear blows the pilot burner flame, re-ignite it and warm up the balloon as soon as possible to avoid falling.
- If the balloon is slower to respond to action, or you see trapped air pollution instead of the balloon rising, you may be in an "inversion," which is when the surrounding air is hotter when the balloon is flying. Make up for this by increasing the amount of heat added or removed when you want to change altitude.
Step 7. Check the wind direction and speed
Learn how to read a weather map, and use it to plot general wind speed and direction in different areas. To test the wind conditions beneath you, spit or spray shaving cream over the rim of the basket.
Step 8. Know how to navigate
Balloon pilots are trained to use topographic maps and an altimeter to plot the path and altitude of an entire flight. Get a flight map from the nearest flight office, and use it to stay out of the plane's path. A GPS unit, magnetic compass and binoculars will be useful, but are not always required for short flights, unless required by law in your area.
Step 9. Avoid turbulence or thermals
If you experience any turbulence, or if charts, clouds or other weather phenomena are imminent and inevitable, land as soon as possible. Similarly, if you feel a twisting motion or unexpected ascent, land immediately before the "thermal" buildup of warm air sends the balloon out of control. Release the air quickly once you land out of the thermals, or the basket could be pulled on the ground.
Step 10. Prepare for emergencies
Practice restarting the pilot's fire so you can do it quickly if something goes wrong mid-flight. If the pilot fire is no longer burning, there may be a fuel blockage. The propane above the blast valve must be re-ignited, and this must be taught under the supervision of an experienced professional. In the worst case scenario, if the sheath is torn, burn as much propane as possible to reduce the balloon's descent speed.
Step 11. Land the balloon
It's hard enough just practicing to recognize the exact direction of a flight journey, let alone choosing a landing location and successfully bringing the balloon to that destination. There are several approaches and techniques that must be learned in order to land in various conditions, and these should be taught by an experienced trainer. Start by practicing in the best conditions, namely on a large landing area that can be reached by gently sloping terrain. Release the air slowly and keep your eye on the highest obstacle nearby, even if it is slightly to the side. Once the obstacle clears, you can release as much air as needed, but aim to keep your glide steady and controlled. When you hit the ground - and prepare to soar up, release the remaining air to deflate the shroud. Safe! Now you understand the basics of flying a balloon.
