What experience and paperwork does a pilot need to fly passengers?
Once in possession of a balloon pilot license and certificate, the pilot needs an experience of at least 100 hours in order to fly passengers. Having the necessary experience, the pilot must apply for a commercial pilot license. Flight hours are signed off in the hot air balloon log book and the flight manual; this paperwork […]
What is the envelope of a hot air balloon made of?
The Envelope is constructed from various gores, formed by the load tapes, made of nylon or polyester. Attached to the load tapes, there are the steel cords that are later attached to the gondola and the burner. The space between each load tape, i.e. each gore, is divided in panels made of strong, lightweight synthetic […]
Are dirigibles steerable?
Absurd as this question may sound; I heard it from a reporter during a press conference in the 2007 ballooning king´s cup, celebrated in Villanueva del pardillo Madrid. Besides funny, it may represent a disquietude of a segment of the population, curious, but unaware of semantics. In fact, as its name indicates, dirigibles *(the term […]
What are the differences between gas and hot air balloons?
Hot air balloons float because the air trapped inside the balloon is heated up by a burner, making it less dense than the air that surrounds it which allows to lift the weight that hangs below. To control the ascent and descent the pilot depends on the fuel carried on board and with the help […]