VIAJES EN GLOBO

Since when are hot air balloons used?

After Montgolfier’s first experiments in 1783, where air was heated by a bonfire, a tedious and impractical method, hot air balloons were substituted by gas balloons. Hot air balloons´ reappearance was in October of 1960 when Raven Industries provided a valuable impulse for aeronautics by creating the first propane burner and nylon envelope which became […]

Why are gas balloons smaller than hot air balloons?

The reason is the lightness of the gases inside each balloon. As we have seen before it takes 3 cubic meters of hot air to lift 1 kilogram. To lift a hot air balloon with a pilot and two passengers, an approximate load of material and people from 550 to 600 kilograms would require an […]

Are there any speed tasks in hot air balloons championships?

In hot air balloon championships speed doesn’t count too much, yet, the tasks must be accomplished on a determined time. All the pilots count with the same wind speed, although it is possible to move faster and travel a longer distance by varying the altitude. Overall, balloon championships require not speed but a lot of […]

Why does the pilot give a preflight briefing?

Although ballooning is a safe activity and passengers only need to focus on having a good time, there are some important things that they need to know, in order to completely enjoy the experience and to guarantee their own safety, especially during the landing,If the pilot considers it necessary, the briefing can be repeated before […]

How are the different parts of a hot air balloon connected?

The gondola is attached to the burner by steel cords that pass underneath the wicker basket; these cables are joined to the burner by carabiners that can hold several kilograms, fuel cylinders are firmly tied to the basket by straps that pass by a series of openings in the basket. The same carabiners that joined […]

Curiosities: the logbook

In earlier navigation, the measurement of speed and other readings were recorded on small wooden boards (logs, in English) when paper was too expensive. This record was known as a chip log. Later it inevitably took the form of a book. It eventually became to be known as what we now refer to as a […]